Eviction Defense Program Counsel/Program Administrator

State of Washington • Thurston County – Olympia, WA

19h • Hybrid

About The Position

The Washington State Office of Civil Legal Aid (OCLA) is seeking an Eviction Defense Program Counsel/Program Administrator to support the administration, oversight, and continuous improvement of its appointed counsel, pre-filing eviction defense, and foreclosure prevention legal aid programs. OCLA is an independent judicial branch agency committed to securing, investing, and overseeing public funding for civil legal aid to low-income people in Washington State. The agency acknowledges the historical racism within the justice system and is committed to equity and justice for all communities. The eviction defense programs serve over 13,000 low-income Washingtonians annually, providing legal help for tenants facing eviction or at risk of losing their housing through court-appointed counsel, pre-filing legal services, and housing stability support. Washington's appointed counsel program for indigent tenants is the only fully functional statewide program of its kind in the country.

Requirements

• Direct or administrative experience in civil legal aid, public defense, or other provision of legal services to low-income people.
• 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 facing current and/or historical marginalization.
• Knowledge and understanding of courts, court systems, administrative, and related law and justice systems that affect low-income people.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite applications, especially Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Ability and willingness to periodically travel both in-state and out-of-state for work-related events.

Nice To Haves

• Familiarity with eviction proceedings and experience in tenant defense and housing advocacy, foreclosure prevention, or related housing stability work, especially Washington unlawful detainer proceedings.
• Experience managing contracts, grants, reporting requirements or contractor performance.
• Understanding of Washington’s eviction prevention and tenant rights landscape.

Responsibilities

• Monitoring contractor performance and compliance, including reviewing program data and contractor data and narrative reports.
• Supporting site visits and court docket observations.
• Providing technical assistance and coordination to legal aid providers, courts, community partners, and other stakeholders.
• Helping develop contracts, scopes of work, reporting tools, policies, guidance, and training supports.
• Identifying service delivery challenges and opportunities for improvement and supporting accountability to OCLA’s and contractors’ race equity commitments.
• Performing other duties as assigned in consultation with the Eviction Defense Program Manager, the Eviction Defense/Reentry Programs Director, the OCLA Director, and the OCLA Director’s designee.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed