Community Legal Advocate, Cannabis Expungement Project (Southern Maryland)
Maryland Volunteer Lawyers Service (MVLS)
Location
Remote
Category
Other Staff
Posted
April 26, 2023
Type
Full-Time, Temporary
Description/Duties
MVLS’ core values are teamwork, passion for MVLS’ mission, commitment to clients,
volunteers, and community partners, initiative and commitment to eliminate systemic barriers to
justice based on race and economic disparities. MVLS is committed to fostering an inclusive
culture in the workplace. Our work to end barriers to justice starts with increasing the racial
diversity of our staff to better reflect the communities we serve.
As a result of the cannabis legalization referendum, MVLS has received one-time funding to
implement a statewide outreach, education, and referral network to help expunge the records of
Marylanders charged with cannabis-related violations. This position will focus on providing
community education and outreach in southern Maryland and promoting and connecting
residents with MVLS’ legal services to stabilize housing, remove barriers to employment, and
build legal knowledge in southern Maryland communities.
The position is fully remote with local travel primarily to Anne Arundel, Calvert, Charles, and
Saint Mary’s counties and occasional travel to MVLS’ office in Baltimore required. Mileage is
reimbursed. This is a one-year temporary position and MVLS does not expect to receive
renewal funding at the end of the grant period.
Job Responsibilities:
– Responsible for planning and executing targeted Baltimore City outreach to educate and
provide legal tools to underserved communities and community-based nonprofits about
cannabis legalization and criminal record expungement.
– Work with local leaders and residents to identify and implement best strategies for their
particular programs, including building the relationships with their participants, providing
support, and thinking creatively about how to engage the community further.
– Regularly attend various neighborhood outreach events.
– Steward existing relationships and identify new partners for outreach efforts.
– Develop and implement an outreach plan, and track and report on outreach efforts and
successes.
– Provide outreach presentations including legal information regarding criminal record
expungement.
– Coordinate outreach efforts with existing MVLS staff including the Outreach and
Communications Manager and the Workforce Development Project.
– Work with a supervising paralegal and our Workforce Development team to refer clients
for expungement representation.
Skills/Qualifications
Qualifications
– Experience in community organizing for social change and community improvement
– Passion for grassroots organizing
– Experience with strategizing and developing outreach and education campaigns
– A desire to develop strong relationships with a diversity of people, appreciation of
meeting and engaging new people on a regular basis
– Excellent listening skills – the ability to identify a wide range of needs and respond
accordingly
– A strategic thinker with the ability to identify and pursue opportunities and relationships
– Must be comfortable as a facilitator and trainer, and how to lead a meaningful discussion
– Excellent written and oral communication skills essential
– Able to confidently communicate with diverse audiences
– Evening and weekend hours required
– Candidate does not need to have substantive legal knowledge but will need to learn the
basics of Maryland expungement law
Education
– One to three years of community organization and outreach experience
– Demonstrated commitment through work experience, lived experience or volunteer
experience to communities, such as: Children, Domestic workers, Economically disadvantaged people, Immigrants and refugees, Incarcerated and formerly incarcerated people, LGBTQ people,
People of color, People with disabilities, People with HIV/AIDS, Sex workers,
Victims of crime and abuse, and Women and girls.
Compensation
Compensation
Salary is $42,000 – $46,000 per year depending on experience. The position also includes excellent benefits, including: health, dental and vision insurance all paid by MVLS, group life insurance, accidental death and dismemberment insurance, a 403(b) retirement plan, a monthly commuter stipend equal to the value of an MTA pass, and generous leave time including vacation, personal, and sick days.
Job Location
This position is fully remote. Frequent travel to local in-person events will be required
How To Apply
How to Apply –
Submit a cover letter, resume and three professional references from employers or school via email with “Community Legal Advocate – Cannabis Expungement Project” in the subject line to mvls@mvlslaw.org by 4 weeks from when position is posted. Applicants are encouraged to address the core values stated at the top of this job posting in their cover letters.