Staff Attorney –Tri-Cities (Kennewick)

NJP is especially interested in qualified candidates with professional, personal and/or service experience that allows them to contribute to and support the legal aid community’s commitment to race equity.  Candidates must be willing to be engaged with the community to be served.  

This is a regular, full-time position covered by NJP’s Collective Bargaining Agreement. 

NJP requires all employees to be vaccinated and boosted against COVID-19.  Proof of COVID vaccine is a condition of employment at NJP.  Exemptions based on medical and sincerely held religious beliefs may be requested per NJP’s EEO employer policy. 

JOB DUTIES:

The Tri-Cities staff attorney will undertake a range of duties including, but not limited to:

• Work collaboratively with office team to provide day-to-day legal assistance and direct representation to eligible clients referred to the Kennewick office in all relevant forums, including state, federal, administrative agencies, and appellate courts.
• Use strategic methods and a broad range of advocacy tools in multiple forums to address high priority client needs, with particular focus on legal needs of persons and groups that experience special barriers to accessing civil legal services, including immigrants, youth, seniors, disabled persons, and other groups.
• Develop collaborative working relationships with a statewide network of advocates working on similar issues throughout the state and participate in advocacy task forces or work groups to address systemic issues that affect seniors, low-income persons, and communities in Washington.
• Engage with client community and participate in legal education events for client groups, social and human services providers, justice system stakeholders, and serve as a resource to other advocates on areas of current or acquired expertise. Utilize NJP’s case management and timekeeping systems and comply with all applicable regulatory requirements and reporting needs.
• Will travel to courthouses within the region as needed.
• Utilize NJP’s case management and timekeeping systems and comply with all applicable regulatory requirements and reporting needs.
• Help identify and develop on-line resources for use by attorneys and/or unrepresented litigants on matters within areas of expertise. 
• Support the work of NJP partners including the local volunteer lawyer program, private attorneys, programs serving the needs of unrepresented litigants, other legal aid providers and interested parties and organizations addressing the legal needs of low-income persons.

NJP has adopted the Washington Race Equity and Justice Initiative (REJI) and is organizationally committed to fight racism and to incorporate equity and inclusion in our advocacy work and our internal systems and work environment.  NJP expects all staff to uphold the REJI commitments and approach their role with a desire to learn and grow in this area.   

• Member of the Washington Bar, the ability to acquire membership through admission by motion, or willing and able to take next Washington bar exam.
• Experience in all aspects of civil litigation with emphasis on housing, public benefits, consumer, family law, and other issues that impact low-income persons in Washington
• Experience in affirmative litigation in state or federal court and experience in addressing systemic issues is a plus.
• Able to develop and implement systmes for case processing (e.g. referral, case triage, and follow-up)
• Significant civil legal aid and related advocacy experience is strongly preferred.
• Applicants should be culturally competent and have demonstrated experience working with low-income client communities, communities of color, limited English and persons with disabilities.
• Bilingual Spanish is required.
• Willingness to engage with communities in Tri-cities or Southeast region of Washington and ability to travel to areas within the geographic service area is necessary.  

Compensation: 

Starting salary is based upon years of experience, with an annual salary range of $70,329 to $128,569.  We offer a comprehensive benefits package which includes 100% paid employee health premiums and significant premium shares for family health premiums, as well as generous time off.  

Hours of work:  NJP’s typical client office hours are 9:00 – 5:00, Monday through Friday.  Attorney positions are exempt and those in the position are expected to work the hours needed to meet their professional responsibilities.

NJP is committed to a policy of equal opportunity and fosters an environment free of barriers and discriminatory practices. NJP actively promotes mutual respect, acceptance, teamwork and productivity. NJP is committed to maintaining an organization whose staff, Board and clients are diverse in background, experience, race, color, national origin, gender, age, religious reference, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, sensory, mental or physical abilities, veteran status, and other qualities that strengthen the program while reinforcing its commitment to basic fairness. People of color, people who identify as transgender, lesbian, gay, or bisexual, and those with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply. Individuals needing a reasonable accommodation for the application or interview process or for more information about the project should contact the Human Resources Department by calling (206) 464-1519.