Veterans Staff Attorney & Benefits Specialist

Friendship Place•Washington, DC

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Veterans Staff Attorney & Benefits Specialist provides supportive services and legal assistance to low-income Veteran households, including individuals and families, to help them obtain stable housing and increase income. The role assists participants with accessing benefits such as Veteran pension, service-connected disability, SSI/SSDI, SOAR, TANF, food stamps, retirement, and unemployment benefits; coordinates medical services related to benefits; and supports benefit applications and appeals. The position also provides legal services to participants in the Veterans First program and serves as a liaison to government offices, VA branches, and other benefit agencies across the District of Columbia and multiple surrounding counties in Maryland and Virginia. The position is hybrid, with at least 50% of time in an office setting and up to 50% in the field working with supervising case managers, participants, community events, and Continuum of Care meetings. Work-from-home may be approved depending on duties and organizational needs but is not guaranteed. Hours are flexible between 7:00 AM and 8:00 PM; some evenings, holidays, and weekends may be required to support operations and respond to emergencies. The role is exempt, salaried, 1.0 FTE, and has no direct reports.

Requirements

Juris Doctor degree from an American Bar Association-accredited law school.
Active membership in good standing with a state bar association.
1–5 years of legal experience.
Valid driver’s license, current auto insurance, and ability to operate a motor vehicle.
Reliable access to personal transportation, with valid vehicle registration and current insurance; maintain an acceptable Motor Vehicle Record and provide updated license and insurance documentation as required.
Have or be able to obtain First Aid/CPR/AED certification that includes hands-on skills testing; training will be provided by Friendship Place.
Excellent time management, attention to detail, organization, confidentiality, and ability to work independently with minimal supervision.
Strong written and verbal communication skills.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office 365, specifically Word and Excel, and ability to learn database programs.
Ability and willingness to work in a diverse and challenging environment and maintain healthy professional boundaries.
Demonstrate active listening, emotional awareness, and ability to adapt communication style to different people and situations.
Commitment to Friendship Place’s mission, vision, and core values.
Ability to work compassionately and in a trauma-informed manner with people who may experience mental health or substance use challenges, including in emotionally sensitive situations.
Successful completion of required background investigations and screenings, which may include criminal history, fingerprint-based, protective services registry, drug and alcohol, and other program-specific checks; provide government-issued ID, references, and employment verification.
Maintain required clearances throughout employment.

Nice To Haves

VA Accreditation from the Office of General Counsel (OGC) is strongly preferred; candidates not currently accredited may be considered if eligible and able to apply upon hire and obtain accreditation within 60–120 days.
Experience working with veterans and the legal and benefit issues they face.

Responsibilities

Assist participants in applying for identified and eligible benefits.
Coordinate with medical services as needed to obtain benefits.
Act as a liaison between participants and government offices and local VA, SSA, and Medicaid branches.
Develop partnerships with the Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) and DC Metro Benefit Offices in DC, Maryland, and Virginia.
Provide direct services to low-income Veteran households to help them obtain income, including VA service-connected disability income, SSI/SSDI, retirement, and unemployment benefits.
Participate in the SOAR leadership team in D.C.
Act as the VBA Regional Office liaison and primary contact for filing claims.
Maintain participant electronic records in the Homeless Management Information System (HMIS).
Participate in multidisciplinary team meetings and supervision, and seek professional development opportunities.
Communicate professionally and clearly in written and verbal interactions to support service delivery and collaboration.
Maintain regular contact with case managers and provide relevant parties with necessary updates.
Collect statistics and maintain tracking records in Excel.
Respond empathetically and flexibly to consumers’ needs and requests.
Maintain compliance with mandatory training and background clearance requirements.
Attend professional trainings and conferences as needed.
Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

Low-cost health insurance
Health reimbursement
Flexible spending accounts
Employer-paid dental insurance
Vision insurance
Short- and long-term disability insurance
Life insurance
403B defined contribution plan matching
Employee assistance programs
Professional development
Employee resource groups
12 paid holidays
15 days of vacation and 10 days of sick leave during the first year of employment