POSITION TITLE: Staff Attorney, Legal Aid to Domestic Violence Survivors

COMPENSATION: Full-time (35 hours per week), although part-time work will be considered.
Annual salary of $63,000 – $67,000 plus vacation and sick leave and healthcare stipend of $400 per month.

LOCATION: The official location for this position is in Olympia. While remote work is possible, all staff are expected to work in the office on at least a part-time basis. Travel within the five counties that make up the TCVLS service area will be required.

RECRUITMENT: Cover letter, resume and professional references are required. Please send to director@tcvls.org. The recruitment will be open until all positions are filled.

AGENCY SUMMARY:
Thurston County Volunteer Legal Services (TCVLS) is a 501 (c) 3 organization that provides legal assistance to low-income individuals and families for a variety of civil legal proceedings. Trained volunteer attorneys help people self-represent by providing legal advice and consultation. Occasionally we match clients with private attorneys for full representation. We also have paid staff attorneys who provide advice and direct representation to eligible tenants who are at risk of eviction and who have been served a summons for eviction. TCVLS provides legal services in Thurston, Mason, Grays Harbor, Pacific, and Lewis Counties.
TCVLS is committed to race equity and justice. We want our employees to be diverse and reflect our community. We strive to have services and programs that are free from bias and oppression and staff and volunteers that treat everyone with dignity and respect. More information about what it means to commit to these principles referred to as “REJI” can be found here: Washington Race Equity & Justice Initiative – WA REJI

POSITION SUMMARY:
The attorneys providing legal aid to survivors of domestic violence will work under the general direction of TCVLS Executive Director. Work requiring the professional judgment of a lawyer will be supervised by a Senior Attorney. These positions are established thanks to a grant from the Office of Civil Legal Aid (State of Washington) that ends June 30, 2025. All positions are overtime-exempt and serve at will.
The Attorneys will provide civil legal assistance to low-income individuals or families who are survivors of domestic violence. Services will include advice and counsel, limited representation, brief services, and/or extended representation.
Priority for legal services will be given to immigrants with language barriers, American Indians and Native Alaskans, others with limited access to the courts because of race, ethnicity, culture, sexual orientation/gender identify or disability and those who are identified as high risk based on assessment tools used by DV/SA organizations (such as the Jackie Campbell Danger Assessment). Those living in rural communities and who are isolated will also be part of the priority community of clients. While there is no specific income qualifying criteria, we will prioritize those without the resources to hire an attorney. Emphasis will be on protection orders and family law representation necessary to secure safe and supportive parenting plans, including protection orders for children and child support.
This position will serve residents of Thurston, Mason, Grays Harbor, Pacific and/or Lewis Counties. Some evening and weekend work may be required. Valid driver’s license, insurance and private vehicle required.

Essential Functions of the Position include:
• Licensed to practice law in Washington State.
• Provide legal assistance to clients often in urgent situations to ensure the safety of the survivor and their family.
• Provide limited representation, brief services and extended representation to clients impacted by domestic violence who have been affected by the COVID-19 emergency, in collaboration with Thurston County Volunteer Legal Services staff and community partners.
• Ability to communicate effectively in English (interpreters are available to communicate with clients who do not speak English).
• Appear in court in-person, by video conferencing or phone based upon the operations of courts within service area.
• Provide services in a manner that is sensitive and appropriate for those who have been traumatized by physical and mental abuse and/or violence.
• Provide services that reflect understanding of working with Native Americans, persons of color, members of the LGBTQ community, and others who have been marginalized by society.
• Use of a computer, laptop, printer, copier/scanner and phone (including answering system).
• Ability to transfer handwritten information into a client database.

COMPENSATION:
TCVLS offers meaningful work and is committed to staff having work-life balance. A full-time work week is 35 hours a week and workload is managed to ensure that balance. Part-time positions may be considered with salary commiserate to hours worked. Vacation and sick leave benefits are provided.
Some evening and weekend work may be required. The Attorney must have a valid Washington State Driver’s License and automobile insurance. The Attorney is required to provide own transportation for any offsite meetings.

HOW TO APPLY: Candidates must include a cover letter, a resume that reflects the required education and experience, and a list of three references (please include phone numbers). The positions are open until filled. An initial review of applications will begin Monday, February 13, 2023.
Application packets can be mailed or e-mailed to:
Thurston County Volunteer Legal Services
P.O. Box 405
Olympia, WA 98507-0405
or
director@tcvls.org

TCVLS is an equal employment opportunity employer. All employees have the right to work in a discrimination-free environment. TCVLS will not permit or condone any arbitrary discrimination in the workplace. All employment decisions will be made without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, creed, religion, age, marital status, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other basis prohibited by state, local, or federal laws.