LawWorks Community Economic Development COORDINATOR, Phila VIP

Posted by on December 19, 2011

JOB DESCRIPTION – LawWorks Community Economic Development COORDINATOR

Philadelphia VIP, the hub of pro bono in Philadelphia, recruits, trains and supports volunteer lawyers who provide free legal services to low-income clients, nonprofits and small businesses.

VIP seeks a Community Economic Development Coordinator to assist Philadelphia nonprofits and small businesses helped by LawWorks, a Philadelphia VIP project. The ideal candidate is an energetic, detail-oriented self-starter with demonstrated interested in working with underserved communities. Prior work experience in community economic development highly desired. Spanish fluency preferred. Bachelor’s Degree required.

This is not an attorney position.

The LawWorks Coordinator will:
Connect volunteer attorneys in the private sector with VIP clients:
• Actively recruit volunteer attorneys for individual cases and for community outreach and education events using telephone, email, and other targeted recruitment efforts.
• Regularly ask volunteer attorneys for updates on their cases.
• Facilitate the relationship between client and volunteer.
• Provide guidance to volunteer attorneys with substantive or procedural legal questions, in consultation with an attorney.
• Update volunteer training materials on website.

Recruit clients and manage a caseload
• Establish relationships with local nonprofit and small business incubators and other community leaders to increase referrals to LawWorks.
• Conduct intake interviews by telephone and in person with new clients.
• Develop client relationships while gathering additional facts for their cases.
• Assess the legal merits of clients’ cases, with attorney supervision.
• Advise clients on whether their cases are appropriate for volunteer attorney referral.
• Update information for clients on website.

Manage all logistics of semi-annual micro-entrepreneur legal clinics:
• Identify and work with partner agency that will identify legal clinic clients, ensuring good communication and ongoing positive working relationships.
• Recruit volunteer attorneys to attend clinics and to match with each client.
• Arrange for food, photographer, press, materials, etc.
• Primary responsibility for success of these evening events.

DEADLINE: Friday, January 6, 2012.
E-mail cover letter, resume, and reference list to Elaine Petrossian, Director of Administration,
EPetrossian@phillyvip.org. Please, no telephone calls.

PHILADELPHIA VIP IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER.