Sr. Supervising Organizer, Housing & Consumer Justice

Description

About the Legal Aid Justice Center

The Legal Aid Justice Center (LAJC) is a nationally recognized non-profit organization that partners with low-income clients and communities of color in Virginia to fight for racial, social, and economic justice. LAJC understands that the harms its clients endure are linked to broader systems of injustice. Together, the organization dismantles these systems through community organizing, litigation, policy advocacy, public relations, and individual legal services.

Founded in 1967, LAJC operates offices in Charlottesville, Richmond, Petersburg, and Falls Church, providing services across six key program areas: Civil Rights & Racial Justice (focusing on the criminal legal system), Housing & Consumer Justice, Youth Justice, Health Justice & Public Benefits, Immigrant Justice, and Worker Justice. Recent work includes a lawsuit and organizing efforts that led to the reform of Virginia’s unemployment insurance system, resulting in the distribution of over $1 billion in withheld payments to over 160,000 Virginians. During the pandemic, LAJC secured a statewide eviction moratorium and pandemic protections, helping hundreds avoid eviction. They also reduced incarceration across the state, including at a local immigration detention center, through coordinated organizing, impact litigation, and individual legal services.

With a staff of over 90, LAJC has seen significant growth in recent years. This growth includes expanding programmatic efforts and increasing administrative capacity, while fostering leadership opportunities for staff. The organization is deeply committed to ongoing race equity work and continues to explore structural changes to create long-term, sustainable, community-driven change.

LAJC’s latest strategic plan is available at LAJC Strategic Plan 2022-2026.

For more information about LAJC’s work and programs, visit justice4all.org.

Responsibilities

• Supervise 3-4 staff members within their respective programs (initially starting with fewer direct reports and increasing over time).
• Provide day-to-day supervision and mentorship, including regular check-ins and onboarding of staff.
• Ensure coverage at Annandale and Culmore day laborer sites, totaling 44 hours a week split between a group of three staff members and other LAJC staff as needed.
• Build leadership and power with those impacted by inequities in Fairfax County’s day laborer communities, focusing on housing and workers’ rights.
• Develop partnerships with individuals, organizations, businesses, and government agencies in Fairfax County, especially in Annandale and Culmore neighborhoods.
• Lead and support existing strategic campaigns and organizing initiatives related to housing conditions or wage theft.
• Use media to educate community members on their rights and relevant policies.
• Mobilize for policy changes at local, statewide, and federal levels, as capacity allows.
• Develop and implement strategies incorporating impact litigation, direct representation, policy advocacy, and community organizing.
• Refer individuals to appropriate community resources and legal services.

Racial Equity (Helper/Consultant)

• Promote racial equity across all aspects of LAJC’s work by:
  • Supporting recruitment and retention of staff and leadership reflective of the community’s racial composition.
  • Expanding resources and cultivating respect for non-attorney staff, disproportionately people of color.
  • Creating spaces for staff to discuss issues related to race, gender, and other marginalization.
  • Advocating for institutional and cultural changes to further promote racial equity.

Requirements

Required Qualifications

• Strong commitment to social, economic, and racial justice.
• At least 3 years of experience in community organizing, advocacy, or strategic campaigning, with a track record of identifying issues, uniting communities, and achieving lasting change.
• Spanish fluency sufficient to interview clients without an interpreter.
• Experience working with individuals and communities directly.
• Experience in coaching or mentoring developing leaders from impacted communities.
• Ability to work effectively in teams, delegating tasks based on team roles.
• Access to reliable transportation and willingness to travel occasionally.

Preferred Qualifications

• Management or supervisory experience, formal or informal, in advocacy work.
• Lived or professional experience in historically marginalized communities.
• Experience using media to amplify community needs.
• Familiarity with using a variety of tools to engage the community and ensure accessibility, including social media and door-knocking.
• Experience coordinating organizing strategies with legal advocacy, such as combining public pressure campaigns with lawsuits or legislation.

Application Instructions

Complete the online application and submit all additional materials via upload. This position requires a cover letter, resume, and contact information for three references. Address your cover letter to the hiring manager, Catherine Cone. Note that references will not be contacted without advance consent from candidates.

Location

This role is based in the Falls Church office, with occasional travel between offices required. LAJC offers a remote work policy to support flexible schedules and work arrangements.

A Note to Potential Candidates

Studies show that women, trans, non-binary people, and BIPOC are less likely to apply for jobs unless they meet every qualification. We encourage you to apply, even if you don’t meet every one of the qualifications.

Application Deadline

Applications will begin being reviewed on September 20, 2024, but will be accepted on a rolling basis until the position is filled. Early applications are encouraged.

Salary

The salary range for this position is $70,000 to $97,298.57 based on experience and LAJC’s salary scale. An upward 12% cost-of-living adjustment ($78,400 to $108,974.40) is available for positions based in Falls Church. Salary placement depends on factors such as experience, budget, and internal equity.

Benefits

LAJC offers generous benefits, including:

• 3 to 6 weeks of vacation, 12 days of health leave, 6 weeks of parental leave, and 14 holidays per year.
• 100% employer-paid health, dental, and vision insurance, with a family insurance premium contribution of up to $2,400 annually.
• 403(b) retirement plan with a 4% employer contribution.
• Strong commitment to professional development.
• Relocation package available where applicable.

Vaccination Requirement

LAJC requires all employees to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 or have an approved medical or religious exemption. Proof of vaccination or accommodation requests must be provided within one day of employment.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The Legal Aid Justice Center is committed to inclusive hiring and diversity. We strongly encourage candidates of all identities and experiences to apply. LAJC is dedicated to empowering its staff and clients, ensuring a safe and respectful environment. Applicants should demonstrate experience or thoughtfulness in working with traditionally marginalized populations.