Position Title:               Housing Attorney

Department:                      Housing

Employment Status:      Full-time, exempt

Location:                             Memphis

Supervisor:                   Housing Unit Manager

Supervises:                        NA

Prepared:                    May 6, 2025

Job Summary:

WTLS provides free civil legal help to low-income West Tennesseans seeking to maintain shelter, financial security, and freedom from abuse. WTLS works with community organizations and client groups to educate communities about civil legal issues and access to justice. Candidates should have a strong commitment to access to equal justice for West Tennesseans who cannot afford to hire an attorney. 

The attorney’s housing work will focus on landlord/tenant matters, subsidized housing matters, home repairs, and mobile home ownership issues.  Work will include direct legal services to eligible clients and outreach and education to the client community and community partners.

Duties/Responsibilities:

The essential functions of this position include, but are not limited to, the following tasks:

• Provide legal advice and representation in housing cases

• Plan and provide client outreach and other education activities for client population and community partners
• Assist in coordinating day-of-court clinics
• Participate in day-of-court clinics by intaking potential clients, providing on-the-spot advice, and reviewing cases for full representation
• Attend training relevant to housing affecting WTLS’ client population as directed by the Housing Unit Manager
• Collaborate with local and state agencies and community partners on housing issues, as permitted by funding 
• Perform case maintenance and office tasks, such as opening and closing cases, deadline system, and filing
• Enter thorough data into the case management system in a timely manner
• Maintain contemporaneous timekeeping
• Communicate with clients during their representation in a timely manner 
• Assist clients in completing necessary forms
• Participate in staff meetings, board meetings, and other meetings, as requested
• Participate on internal committees, work groups, and other efforts to promote and improve organizational operations
• Establish and maintain a professional working relationship with staff
• Comply with program policies and regulations of the Legal Services Corporation and other funders
• Comply with relevant portions of the Legal Services Corporation’s Performance Criteria and the American Bar Association’s Standards for the Provision of Civil Legal Aid
• Comply with all applicable organizational, professional, and legal requirements for confidentiality
• Comply with documentation requirements of funders and assist with and ensure that all required documentation to establish client eligibility is maintained appropriately
• Perform such other duties as reasonably requested

Requirements:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the qualifications, knowledge, skills, and/or abilities required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions of the job.  

• D. Degree.
• Current licensure in good standing in Tennessee, planning to sit for the July 2025 Tennessee Bar, or eligible for and willing to secure reciprocity.
• Experience advocating for the interests of low-income populations.
• Background check and references that are complete and free of concerns.
• General practice experience, including litigation experience, or willingness to participate in appropriate training.
• Experience working with or sensitivity to specialized client populations. 
• Experience working with or sensitivity to individuals from ethnic or language distinct communities. 
• Ability to draft legally sufficient pleadings and other legal documents, including creating concise and persuasive arguments.
• Ability to conduct research and analysis of pertinent legal authority.
• Ability to analyze complex problems and develop creative solutions.
• Effective communication skills sufficient to represent clients in legal hearings, meetings, negotiations, or administrative proceedings; to give public presentations, conduct training, and do client outreach.
• Sufficient computer skills to be able to maintain client records, prepare documents, and maintain time records.
• Ability to competently use Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and SharePoint.
• Ability to competently use company software packages.

Success Factors:  

• Demonstrate a commitment to the principle of equal justice and to advocacy for low-income persons by actively participating in initiatives and projects that promote access to legal services for low-income individuals, advocating for their rights, and ensuring their voices are heard and respected in all professional activities.
• Treat clients, staff, and the public with dignity and respect. 
• Appreciate the experiences and needs of people of diverse economic, social, and cultural backgrounds by engaging in continuous learning about their unique challenges, practicing cultural sensitivity in all interactions, and tailoring support and services to meet their specific needs.
• Demonstrate a personal sense of integrity. 
• Demonstrate a high level of self-motivation in completion of duties.
• Take ownership of projects and produce solid work products. 
• Work as a member of a team and independently including willingness to help others (cooperative) and share knowledge, information, contacts, and experience. 
• Address issues in a timely manner. 
• Use a high level of professionalism, diplomacy, and sound judgment. 
• Handle and prioritize multiple, competing demands. 
• Maintain confidentiality of client and organization’s information

Working Conditions:

• Work during office hours between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. A minimum 30-minute break must be taken when at least 6 hours are worked. Work hours must be accurate and contemporaneously recorded. A flextime of work hours may be used, if approved. Your supervisor will consider the needs of the office and the preference of more senior employees before approving flextime. Work after hours or on weekends may be occasionally required.
• Pursuant to the current telecommuting agreement, may work up to 2 days per week remotely after completion of 90-day probationary period. The scheduled remote days will be determined upon staffing of the position.  The telecommuting schedule may be amended with prior approval of the Housing Unit Leads on an as needed basis. Requests for an amended schedule are contingent on approval from the Housing Unit Manager and will be determined on a case-by-case basis given the current unit staffing.
• Work is performed primarily in an office setting and at outreach sites.
• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Often communicating with people using the phone, email, via video call, or in person.
• Occasionally lift up to 15 pounds.
• Travel within the WTLS service area may be necessary.

Compensation & Benefits:

• Compensation: Starting salary is $58,200. This position is a full-time position and compensation is made according to the WTLS salary scale that became effective on April 28, 2025.
• Benefits: Full-time benefits include the ability to participate in WTLS’ health insurance plan, dental plan, vision plan, LTD, Life Insurance, 401k retirement plan, paid Annual Leave (based on years of employment-starting at 12 days per year), paid Sick Leave (12 days per year), paid Holidays (12), and paid week off between Christmas and New Year. 

HOW TO APPLY: Apply by visiting: https://wkf.ms/3YoUTgU. Applicants must include a resume, writing sample, and three references with phone numbers. Applications will be accepted, and interviews scheduled on a rolling basis until the position is filled. Applicants are encouraged to apply as soon as possible. No inquires accepted. Only applicants scheduled for interviews will be notified.  

WTLS provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or genetic information.

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required by the employee.   By signing below, I understand and agree that I must be able to perform each of the essential functions of the position listed above to continue my employment with the Organization.

Position Title:                    Disaster Project Manager

Department:                      Disaster

Employment Status:       Full-time

Location:                             Jackson

Supervisor:                  

Supervises:                         Disaster Project staff

Prepared:                            April 15, 2025

Job Summary: 

The Disaster Project Manager oversees WTLS’ Disaster Project to ensure the provision of high-quality legal services to people who are low-income and have been impacted by federally declared disasters in WTLS’ 21-county service area. The Project Manager is responsible for developing and maintaining internal processes to best serve project clients, ensuring compliance with federal, state, and local funding requirements, and serving as the point of contact for project internal and external administrative relationships. Daily tasks include problem solving, staff management, grant reporting, serving as the administrative lead for your project, and other project related duties as required by the project contract.  The Project Manager will maintain a caseload commensurate with managerial responsibilities.  Personnel must adhere to goals and outcomes detailed in the grant contract. This position is funded for the duration of the grant, and subsequent renewal may result in modification of job duties and responsibilities.  

Duties/Responsibilities:

The essential functions of this position include, but are not limited to, the following tasks:

1. Supervisory Duties
   1. Work with project staff’s personnel supervisor to provide input for project staff performance evaluations.
   2. Supervise three  direct reports and provide guidance and direction for additional team members who have time allocated under the project
   3. Make hiring recommendations.
   4. Make disciplinary action recommendations when necessary and appropriate.
   5. Monitor record-keeping and documents submitted by project staff for accuracy, completeness, and adherence to appropriate policy and procedure guidelines and project scope.
   6. Instruct project staff as to WTLS policies, procedures, and techniques.
   7. Provide technical assistance to project staff and ensure they receive appropriate training both on the job and externally to enable them to properly understand and perform their job duties in the project.
   8. Keep apprised of training opportunities and project training requirements, subject to approval and project resources.
   9. Ensure that project case files are properly maintained, and time records accurately reflect the funding source of each service, if applicable.
   10. Collaborate with external stakeholders to provide outreach, education, and other appropriate services upon request.

2. Operational Duties
   1. Perform case review, case evaluation, case activity direction, prioritization, and acceptance of all project cases based upon project guidelines, available resources, and other appropriate considerations.
   2. Intervene directly in any project case or other matter, as necessary.
   3. Assist project staff in the resolution of problems in casework and job performance.
   4. Provide civil legal services to clients and client groups, including advice, negotiation, litigation, and administrative advocacy pursuant to WTLS priorities and policies.
   5. Work with other WTLS staff to develop sound relations with the local community, governmental agencies, client groups and bar associations.
   6. Speak to community groups, schools, and others about their legal rights and prepare materials relating to these presentations.
   7. Represent WTLS at meetings and other external functions.
   8. Administer grant compliance for Disaster Project.
   9. Prepare quarterly and annual reports for Disaster Project
   10. Other duties as may be reasonably requested.

3. Reporting Duties
   1. Manage the current Disaster Project, including, but not limited, to the following tasks:
      1. Collect and track key data points to measure grant deliverables.
      2. Oversee grant budgets and assist the finance team with necessary revisions.

• Produce and submit timely and accurate grant reports.

1. Serve as a point of contact for project funders, build strong relationships, and provide good customer service.
2. Build strong relationships with community partners who provide outreach services and make client referrals for this project.
3. Prepare materials for contract/grant reviews and monitoring and meet with monitors as requested by funders.

1. Identify future project funding opportunities and oversee grant writing and application submission.

Requirements:

The requirements listed below are representative of the qualifications, knowledge, skills, and/or abilities required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions of the job.

1. J.D. Degree.
2. Current licensure in good standing in Tennessee or eligible for reciprocity and willing to secure reciprocity.
3. Ability to conduct research and analysis of pertinent legal authority.
4. Ability to analyze complex problems and develop creative solutions.
5. Effective communication skills sufficient to represent clients in legal hearings, meetings, negotiations, or administrative proceedings; to give public presentations, conduct trainings, and do client outreach; to write grant proposals, to manage projects, and to conduct community outreach.
6. Experience working with or sensitivity to individuals from ethnic or language distinct communities.
7. Expertise and ability to provide leadership in one or more substantive areas of importance to client population.
8. Sufficient computer skills to be able to maintain client records, prepare documents, maintain time records, etc. as required.
9. Ability to manage develop, plan and execute projects with defined goals and outcomes
10. Ability to use project management tools ie Monday.com, Microsoft Project Management
11. Ability to competently use Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Adobe Professional.
12. Ability to competently use company software packages.

Success Factors:  

• Comprehend complex grant requirements and use knowledge and skills to implement procedures to ensure compliance with grant requirements as the requirements relate to case work, outreach, testing, and related deliverables.
• Demonstrate a high level of self-motivation in completion of duties.
• Demonstrate a high level of understanding of the legal issues as they related to natural disasters and legal avenues for recovery after disaster.
• Develop a strong working relationship with outside agencies, including s, and local, state, and federal government officials, and other stakeholders.
• Demonstrate a commitment to the principle of equal justice and to advocacy for low-income persons.     
• Treat clients, staff, and the public with dignity and respect. 
• Appreciate the experiences and needs of people of diverse economic, social, and cultural backgrounds. 
• Demonstrate a personal sense of integrity. 
• Take ownership of projects and produce solid work products. 
• Work as a member of a team and independently, including willingness to help others (cooperative) and share knowledge, information, contacts, and experience. 
• Address issues in a timely manner. 
• Use a high level of professionalism, diplomacy, and sound judgment. 
• Handle and prioritize multiple competing demands. 

Working Conditions:

• Work during office hours between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. A minimum 30-minute break must be taken when at least 6 hours are worked. Work hours must be accurate and contemporaneously recorded. A flextime of work hours may be used, if approved. Your supervisor will consider the needs of the office and the preference of more senior employees before approving flextime. Work after hours or on weekends may be occasionally required.
• Work is performed primarily in an office setting and at outreach sites.
• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Often communicating with people using the phone, email, via video call, or in person.
• Occasionally lift up to 15 pounds.
• Travel within the WTLS service area may be necessary.

Compensation & Benefits:

• Compensation: This is a full-time position and compensation is made according to the Wage Administration Plan that became effective on January 1, 2025 (Starting salary is $75,600.00
• Benefits: Full-time benefits include the ability to participate in WTLS’ health insurance plan, dental plan, vision plan, LTD, Life Insurance, 401k retirement plan, paid Annual Leave (based on years of employment), paid Sick Leave (12 days per year), paid Holidays (12), and paid week off between Christmas and New Year. 

HOW TO APPLY:

Candidates will submit their  resumes  and complete the application on Monday.com

(1) Disaster Project Manager

Use this link to complete the application. Applicants must include a resume, writing sample, and three references with phone numbers. Applications will be accepted, and interviews scheduled on a rolling basis until the position is filled. Applicants are encouraged to apply as soon as possible. No inquiries accepted. Only applicants scheduled for interviews will be notified.  

WTLS provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or genetic information.

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required by the employee.   By signing below, I understand and agree that I must be able to perform each of the essential functions of the position listed above to continue my employment with the Organization.

_____________________________________                   _______________

Signature                                                                                             Date