Skip to main content

This job has expired

You will need to login before you can apply for a job.

Deputy Director

Employer
Statewide Legal Services of CT
Location
Wethersfield, Connecticut
Salary
95,000-115,000
Closing date
Jan 29, 2023

View more

Focus Areas
Civil Rights / Advocacy
Job Function
Public Policy / Administration
Position Type
Full Time
Degree Level
JD
Experience Level
Management

Statewide Legal Services of Connecticut (SLS) is seeking applications for the position of Deputy Director. This is a full-time, exempt position requiring residence in Connecticut.


ABOUT STATEWIDE LEGAL SERVICES OF CONNECTICUT (SLS): SLS is a dynamic legal aid helpline, providing high quality legal counseling, advice, referrals and self-help opportunities to low income people across Connecticut. Our services give thousands of people each year the tools to understand and to resolve life-impacting cases such as evictions, domestic violence, consumer debt-defense and public benefit denials and appeals. We work closely with several regional legal aid programs, and together we form the Connecticut Network for Legal Aid. We also conduct community outreach and education to local service providers and client groups, often in collaboration with other legal aid entities, service organizations and foundations. As an important part of our service delivery system, SLS contributes substantive and technical support to the statewide legal aid website, www.CtLawHelp.org, including chat navigation, self-help materials, and links among other tools and resources. SLS also provides Pro Bono programs and opportunities within the legal aid network. Funding for core services comes from the federal Legal Services Corporation, along with generous grants from the Connecticut Bar Foundation and regional foundations throughout the state.


Position
Reporting to the Executive Director, the Deputy Director is responsible for leading and enhancing the internal organization and infrastructure necessary for SLS’s continued success and growth. As the Deputy Director, she/he/they will lead SLS’ ongoing strategic planning and implementation. The ideal candidate should be able to both think broadly and strategically about SLS’s work and be detail oriented and organized about the implementation and structures necessary to move SLS’s vision into reality.


The Deputy Director will also collaborate with the Management Team to provide organizational and structural guidance to the advocacy and pro bono units to promote and sustain the highest standards of
STATEWIDE LEGAL SERVICES OF CONNECTICUT, Inc.
practice, accountability, and execution of SLS’s Statement of Program Priorities, Strategic Plan, and the LSC Program Performance Manual. https://www.lsc.gov/our-impact/publications/other-publications-and-reports/lsc-performance-criteria. The Deputy Director will collaborate with the Executive Director, IT Manager, Fiscal Manager, and Program Manager to ensure the development and implementation of internal systems to support SLS’ substantive work, special grants, and legal aid network. Finally, the Deputy Director will assist the Executive Director in matters of Board relations, resource development and community outreach initiatives.

Responsibilities
The Deputy Director may not perform all of these functions at any given time, but must be appropriately skilled and trained to handle a diverse set of expectations and challenges within the program.
Program Operational Leadership:

  • Provide effective and inspiring leadership through active engagement in all programs, services, and operations, and assume the responsibility for day-to-day program operations in the absence of the Executive Director.
  • Lead and coordinate training for the management team, including, identifying training needs, developing and evaluating annual training programs for staff facilitating learning and training opportunities, and monitoring the preparation of training materials and presentations.
  • As necessary, participate as a management representative in the grievance process ensuring compliance with the procedures mandated by the prevailing labor laws and the SLS/Collective Bargaining Agreement. Participate as the management representative in union-management committees, as needed (e.g. Safety Committee) and bargaining when needed.
  • Serve as the general Board of Directors liaison for the Executive Director, helping foster Board engagement, including but not limited to: Organizing and facilitating Board meetings, posting and distributing materials, capturing minutes, and maintaining Board-related records for reporting and archival purposes.

Advocacy Leadership

  • Provide effective and inspiring leadership, as well as stewardship, of SLS by implementing and leading a continuous quality improvement process throughout the program and service area, focusing on systems/process improvement.
  • Maintain and apply a working knowledge of significant developments and trends in legal services at the local, state, and national levels.
  • Maintain a working knowledge of hotline services, including periodic training and handling of telephonic/online/SMS message applications and cases.
  • Keep abreast of legal trends and needs among the client community via legal journals, periodicals, and other available resources to provide consultation to other staff members on substantive areas including family, housing, landlord/tenant, consumer, public benefits, and bankruptcy law, and professional responsibility.

External Relationship Development

  • Assist in the management and cultivate existing relationships with local, statewide, and national organizations, the public, and funders.
  • Publicly represent SLS by actively serving on relevant regional, statewide, and/or local committees, task forces, and initiatives.
  • Expand and enhance the quality and depth of SLS’ legal services by fostering relationships and seeking opportunities to expand SLS services whenever possible.

Strategic Planning

  • Provide programmatic leadership and input for all phases of SLS’ strategic plan process, including implementation, with the ED and staff. Advise and support the management team and program staff as they implement the strategic plan and transition operations.
  • Develop and implement a system for tracking, monitoring, and reporting on the progress of strategic plan activities.

Skills and Qualifications
It is understood that candidates may not possess all of these preferred qualifications:

  • Minimum 5- 10 years of legal work experience preferable in areas of, or analogous to legal service.
  • Minimum 3-5 years of experience in non-profit management.
  • JD: Candidates must be admitted to the Connecticut Bar or eligible to take or waive into the state bar within a year from employment.
  • Demonstrated commitment to working with low-income communities to affect meaningful change, passionate about the delivery of legal services to the poor, and “unbundling” of services using multi-platform environments to broaden access to justice.
  • At least one year experience working with governing bodies, including boards of directors, advisory committees, volunteers and commissions.
  • Demonstrated leadership success, including an ability to mediate, and coordinate and facilitate diverse groups to achieve common goals and objectives.
  • Legal aid program experience strongly desired.
  • Familiarity with the Legal Service Corporation, and/or federal funders with grant compliance and reporting a plus.
  • Familiarity with union shop management in non-profit settings a plus.
  • Experience in elements and activities of strategic planning, organizational analysis and team building.
  • If applicable/transferable experience: private sector roles in law, business strategy or consulting, IT management, public sector policy roles.
  • Demonstrated ability to work with diverse personalities and the wide variety of professional backgrounds and experiences, and a commitment to diversity, race equity and inclusiveness.
  • Highly proficient and knowledgeable in the use of computer software and tools (e.g., Microsoft Suite, Case Management Systems, telephonic systems).Excellent communication and negotiating skills; ability to summarize data and information for internal and external use.

Working Environment
SLS has temporarily closed its physical office space in response to the current pandemic and SLS attorneys and staff are working remotely. We will provide appropriate equipment and IT services to allow connection to the SLS hotline, case management system, and to all our networked capacities. The candidate must have sufficient bandwidth capacities to successfully work by remote. SLS will provide laptop, software and training.


We cannot guarantee full-time remote work for this position. Status for in-person working is subject to change depending on HHS and CDC guidelines. Presently there will be some in-person on-boarding trainings and meetings at our 1290 Silas Deane office in CT or at another location inside the state. In-person attendance in selected events, meetings, outreaches and bar-related functions may be required.
Compensation and Benefits:
Compensation includes an annual salary, beginning from $95,000 to $115,000, commensurate with experience. SLS offers a generous benefits package including health, dental, and disability insurances, 401K plan with employer contributions, FSA, paid vacation, personal leave and sick leave above state minimums. This is an at-will, exempt position, with a one-year probation period.


SLS is a proud Equity-Opportunity employer and values diversity and inclusion. We encourage applicants from all ethnicities, races, cultural backgrounds, ages, sexual orientations /identities to apply.

To apply:
Please submit a resume and letter of interest to Cindy Fernandez, at cfernandez@slsct.org. Please state “Deputy Director Position” in the subject line. No hard copies or phone calls please.
Position is open until filled.

Get job alerts

Create a job alert and receive personalized job recommendations straight to your inbox.

Create alert