Description:

Overview:
The Washington State Office of Civil Legal Aid (OCLA) seeks a highly motivated individual to support the effective management and oversight of a range of programs supporting the delivery of civil legal aid services to low-income people in Washington State. This position will help support the Civil Legal Aid to Crime Victims and Domestic Violence Survivors programs.

This position primarily operates remotely with periodic travel required within Washington State for meetings, site visits, and events. OCLA fosters a flexible workplace environment to support work-life balance and employee success.

About OCLA
OCLA is the independent judicial branch agency that manages and oversees state appropriations for civil legal aid in Washington State. OCLA funds a wide range of civil legal aid programs and projects focused on ensuring equity of access to the civil justice system for low-income people in Washington State. These include (a) a general statewide civil legal aid program, (b) a program providing appointed counsel for children and youth in the child welfare system, (c) a program to provide appointed counsel for indigent tenants in unlawful detainer proceedings, (d) a program to provide pre-filing legal aid to tenants threatened with eviction; (e) a program providing civil legal assistance to victims of crime, (f) programs providing civil legal help to persons adversely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, and (g) a number of smaller niche programs including programs to provide civil legal assistance to individuals reentering civil society following incarceration and those eligible for civil relief as a result of the Washington Supreme Court's decision in State v. Blake.

Consistent with The Washington State Supreme Court's June 4, 2020 Statement to the Legal Community (Download PDF reader), OCLA acknowledges that it and its contracted civil legal aid providers operate in a law and justice system historically grounded in racism and that time and again has administered justice differentially depending on the racial identities of those involved. OCLA was an initial subscriber to the Washington Race Equity and Justice Acknowledgments and Commitments. As outlined in its Race Equity and Justice Statement of Purpose, OCLA is committed to being an active partner in carrying out the Washington State judicial branch's commitment to ensuring equity and justice for people and communities throughout our state.

Duties:
Areas of Programmatic Responsibility

General Civil Legal Aid Programs: These encompass the current general civil legal aid contract and OCLA-approved subcontractors, principally the primary statewide civil legal aid contract with the federally funded Northwest Justice Project required by RCW 2.53.030 and contracts providing civil legal information and assistance to kinship caregivers.
Civil Legal Aid to Crime Victims Program: Initiated in 2016, this program aims to enhance the safety, security, and well-being of victims of crime. It operates in collaboration with other community-based professional crime victim service providers. Initially funded through a dedicated annual allocation of federal Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) funding, the program is now funded with state general funds subgranted to OCLA by the Washington State Department of Commerce, Office of Crime Victims Advocacy (OCVA).
Civil Legal Aid for Domestic Violence Survivors Program: Established in 2022, this program is designed to provide civil legal aid services to survivors of domestic violence. Its scope includes legal services for protection order proceedings, family law cases, immigration assistance, and other civil legal issues arising from or related to experiences of domestic violence. Pursuant to authorizing budget directives, OCLA developed the Legal Aid for Domestic Violence Survivor Program which contracts with organizational providers of services to survivors of domestic violence as defined in RCW 7.105.010(9).

Primary Activities
The Program Counsel will work under the supervision of the Program Manager to support the programs described above. Principal responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

Ensure Comprehensive Oversight and Compliance: Monitor contract compliance and performance of contractors, ensuring adherence to legal, fiscal, and administrative standards.
Data Management and Reporting: Track, aggregate, analyze, and report on data documenting the services provided, including qualitative and quantitative outcomes.
Technical Assistance and Coordination: Provide technical assistance, support, and coordination with programs and other stakeholders.
Contract Drafting: Draft contracts and scopes of work relating to the provision of legal aid services.
Equity Accountability: Ensure accountability to OCLA's and contractors' race equity commitments in the administration and execution of these programs.
Additional Duties: Perform other duties as assigned by the Program Manager, OCLA Director, or their designee.

Qualifications:
Skills and Background

Juris Doctor (JD) or Related Experience: Possess a Juris Doctor (JD) degree or related professional, administrative, and/or lived experience demonstrating the capacity to perform the essential functions of the position. (Required)
Civil Legal Aid Experience: Direct or administrative experience in civil legal aid, public defense, or other provision of civil legal aid to low-income people. (Required)
Victim Advocacy and Domestic Violence Awareness: Familiarity with the civil and criminal justice systems, particularly related to legal rights of crime victims and gender-based violence survivors. (Required)
Equity Understanding: Demonstrate understanding of the impact of race, bias, discrimination, and differential treatment on marginalized communities, including Black, Indigenous, and people of color, individuals who identify as LGBTQIA2S or other sexual minorities, individuals with disabilities, immigrants, limited English speaking persons, and others historically marginalized. (Required)
Legal Systems Knowledge: Knowledge and understanding of courts, court systems, administrative, and related law and justice systems that affect low-income people. (Required)
Communication Skills: Excellent written and verbal communication skills. (Required)
Technical Proficiency: Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite applications, especially Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. (Required)