Community Legal Advocate – West Baltimore
Maryland Volunteer Lawyers Service
Location
Baltimore, MD
Category
Other Staff
Posted
November 15, 2023
Type
Part-Time
Description/Duties
Maryland Volunteer Lawyers Service (MVLS), founded in 1981, is the oldest and largest volunteer legal services organization in Maryland. Maryland Volunteer Lawyers Service (MVLS) removes barriers to justice through free civil legal help, community engagement, and advocacy for equitable laws. Our vision is for a fair legal system that is free of injustice and equitably serves underrepresented Marylanders. We achieve this goal primarily through our core pro bono program and more targeted programs that serve specialized legal needs. For more program information, visit our website: www.mvlslaw.org.
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.
The position will focus on providing community education and outreach in West Baltimore, and promoting and connecting residents with MVLS’ legal services to stabilize housing, remove barriers to employment, and build legal knowledge to center power and agency in West Baltimore.
Job Responsibilities:
Coordinate outreach efforts with existing MVLS staff including the Outreach and Communications Manager and the Advance Planning Coordinator.
Responsible for planning and executing targeted West Baltimore City outreach to educate and provide legal tools to underserved communities and community-based nonprofits about legal and financial barriers and resources.
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.
Working in collaboration with community partners and MVLS staff, identify and support efforts to address systemic barriers.
Plan innovative community education and engagement activities to encourage program involvement.
Regularly attend various neighborhood outreach events.
Provide community presentations focused on centering legal tools and knowledge within the community.
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.
Track outreach activities in MVLS’ case management system.
Meet all reporting requirements for grant funder on project activities.
Skills/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 or 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
Comfortable working with diverse populations in a variety of settings
Frequent evening and weekend hours required
Candidate does not need to have substantive legal knowledge
Experience tracking project or customer activity is a plus
Education and Experience
One to three years of community organization and outreach experience preferred
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
Salary is $27 per hour at 20 hours per week.
The position also includes excellent benefits, including: two health insurance plans (MVLS fully covers the monthly premium), dental and vision insurance, a flexible spending plan to reimburse employees with pre-tax dollars for out of pocket medical expenses, group life insurance, accidental death and dismemberment insurance, a 401(k) retirement plan with a 3% contribution from MVLS, a monthly commuter stipend equal
to the value of an MTA pass, and leave time including vacation, personal, and sick days.
Job Location – Hybrid. This position currently requires being in the office at least two days per week. This job also requires frequent in person events in West Baltimore.
How To Apply
Submit a cover letter, resume and three professional references from employers or school via email with “Community Legal Advocate” 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.
This application was posted on November 14, 2023. MVLS generally begins scheduling interviews after the four week application window has ended. Initial interviews with the hiring committee are scheduled for 45 minutes. For advancing candidates, a second 60 minute interview is held with the hiring committee and the Executive Director. Interview questions are provided in advance. Reference checks are made for final candidates. The interview process generally takes about four weeks.
Please, no telephone calls.
A COVID vaccination is required.
MVLS is an equal opportunity employer. MVLS does not discriminate against any applicant for
employment or any employee on the basis of race, nationality, ethnicity, age, religion, disability
status, sex assigned at birth, gender identity, gender presentation, sexual orientation, or
immigration status.