Director - Housing Unit

Legal Services NYC (LSNYC) fights poverty and seeks racial, social and economic justice for low-income New Yorkers. For over 50 years, we have challenged systemic injustices that trap people in poverty and provided legal services that help our clients meet basic needs for housing, income and economic security, family and immigration stability, education, and health care. LSNYC is the largest civil legal services provider in the country; our staff of more than 600 people in neighborhood-based offices and outreach sites across all five boroughs helps hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers annually. We partner with scores of community-based and client-run organizations, elected officials, public agencies, pro bono lawyers, and the courts to maximize our effectiveness. Our work fights discrimination and helps to achieve equity for all low-income New Yorkers.

LSNYC employees have numerous opportunities for growth and professional development, including access to our internal Justice Learning Center, which provides opportunities to earn free CLEs and gain experience as a trainer. Further, LSNYC prides itself on its Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging (DEIB) efforts and aims to create a work environment where everyone can bring their full selves to the work.

DIRECTOR – HOUSING UNIT 

STATEN ISLAND LEGAL SERVICES

Staten Island Legal Services (across the street from the ferry) is seeking an attorney to direct its Housing Unit.   

About Us 

Staten Island Legal Services (SILS) provides high-quality, innovative representation to address the pressing legal needs of Staten Island's diverse low-income populations. SILS focuses on the problems that have the greatest impact on our clients — preserving affordable and decent housing, representing survivors of domestic violence, obtaining immigration status and preventing deportations, advocating for the LGBTQ community, preventing foreclosures, and advocating for students with educational needs and people with disabilities. SILS is a part of Legal Services NYC (LSNYC), which is the largest provider of civil legal services in the country. LSNYC prides itself on its Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) efforts. Our DEIB committee and numerous affinity groups work to foster collegial relationships among staff and allow staff to explore and advocate for racial justice and anti-oppression growth within our organization and through our legal work. All employees are expected to learn about, seek to understand and work to realize our DEIB goals. 

 The Housing Unit works to preserve affordable housing through representation of low-income tenants in eviction proceedings and affirmative litigation to challenge abusive and discriminatory conduct that displaces low-income families and eliminates affordable housing. In addition, the team aims to protect tenants’ rights, prevent harassment, preserve affordable housing, and avoid displacement, particularly on Staten Island’s North Shore. The Housing Unit works collaboratively with community-based organizations and local elected officials and their staff.  

Role and Responsibilities: 

We are looking for a candidate who is excited to work in a fast-paced environment and to use creative strategies in the pursuit of justice. The Director of the Housing Unit will:  

• Supervise a team of thirteen attorneys and paralegals, including two Deputy Directors; 

• Lead the Unit’s efforts to preserve affordable housing through eviction defense and affirmative litigation; 

• Focus on challenging abusive and discriminatory conduct that displaces low-income families and eliminates affordable housing; 

• Lead anti-displacement advocacy for communities facing rapid gentrification; 

• Implement New York City’s right to counsel initiative for low-income tenants in housing court; 

• Collaborate with tenant organizers, tenant associations, and community partners to identify and address housing needs; 

• Oversee and conduct community outreach and off-site intake with community partners; 

• Work collaboratively with community-based organizations and local elected officials and their staff; 

• Initiate litigation or community-based campaigns and conduct policy advocacy; 

• Navigate racial equity issues thoughtfully in a diverse team and client base; and  

• Oversee and monitor contract compliance and deliverables.  

Experience and Qualifications 

• Applicants must have a J.D. from an accredited law school and be admitted to practice in New York; 

• A minimum of six years of litigation experience, including demonstrated expertise in local, state, and federal housing law policy, housing court practice, housing programs and subsidies, and/or public benefits;  

• Experience working in a supervisory or leadership role preferred;  

• Experience litigating affirmative cases on behalf of groups of tenants including motion practice and discovery preferred;  

• Experience working with diverse low-income communities and familiarity with structural and systemic racism and their intersection with poverty. Strong ties to or understanding of the Staten Island low-income communities is a plus;  

• Commitment to social justice and working in low-income communities and communities of color to advance equity;  

• Experience working directly with clients, specifically clients in crisis.  

• Experience in trainings and outreach is strongly preferred;  

• Experience with grant writing, grant compliance and reporting is strongly preferred;  

• Superb analytical, writing and communication skills; and  

• Strong organizational, planning and time management skills.  

 Salary is competitive and commensurate with experience. Hybrid remote work policy and excellent benefit package.  

How to Apply: Interested individuals should e-mail a cover letter, resume and writing sample to silshiring@lsnyc.org. Please write “Director – Housing” in subject line  

Only candidates selected for interviews will be contacted. Please no telephone calls.  

Inclusion Statement: Studies have shown that women and people of color are more hesitant than others to apply for jobs where they fear they may not fully meet every single qualification listed. While this list of qualifications represents the qualities that we are looking for in an applicant, we are looking for the best candidate for the job. If you are interested in this position and have substantial relevant experience, we encourage you to apply even if you do not fully meet every criterion listed above.  

 All employees are strongly encouraged to continue to receive and maintain up-to-date COVID vaccinations unless they are unable to for medical or religious reasons.  

 Applications will be considered on a rolling basis until the position is filled. Additional information about the practice may be found on our website, www.legalservicesnyc.org.  

 Legal Services NYC is an equal opportunity employer. People of color, women, people with disabilities, gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people, and people over the age of 40 are strongly encouraged to apply.  

All employees are strongly encouraged to continue to receive and maintain up-to-date COVID vaccinations unless they are unable to for medical or religious reasons.

Legal Services NYC is an equal opportunity employer. People of color, women, people with disabilities, people over 40, and gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people are strongly encouraged to apply.