YOUTH STAFF ATTORNEY OPENING
Position Description
The Safe Sisters Circle is currently seeking survivor centered and culturally competent applicants for a Youth Staff Attorney position with our organization to serve, advocate, and educate for Black girl/adolescent survivors living primarily within Wards 7 and 8. The Youth Staff Attorney will work to support The Safe Sisters Circle’s mission and provide exceptional legal services under the Keep Black Girls Safe DC project, expanding the scope of the project to include full representation. We are looking for a highly motivated and passionate individual who is committed to the work of advancing the legal interests of Black girl and adolescent survivors, but also has the drive to help mold this program’s future. The Youth Staff Attorney will be working with clients that fall between the ages of 14 – 22.
Duties & Responsibilities
- This position reports to the Managing Attorney of The Safe Sisters Circle;
- Represents Black youth and adolescent survivors in Protection Orders, Custody, Paternity, and Child Support matters;
- Engages in crime witness advocacy, including accompanying youth and adolescent survivors to criminal court hearings involving abusers where appropriate, advocating with law enforcement and prosecutors for the survivors’ desired outcomes, and keeping survivors informed of their rights in the process and the status of their cases;
- Navigate and work with different agencies, offices, and organizations that often encounter Black youth and adolescents such as CFSA, Title IX offices, and youth centered shelters and community organizations;
- Provides compassionate, holistic and culturally competent legal, advocacy and wrap around services to Black girl and adolescent survivors of intimate partner and sexual abuse;
- Conducts legal research and writing and maintains a working knowledge of the law;
- Conducts case related investigations;
- Facilitate youth, teen, and college focused seminars and workshops at local schools and TSSC hosted events on topics including, but not limited to: healthy relationships, domestic violence red flags, preventative and know your rights programs;
- Participates in the organization’s youth outreach efforts in Washington, DC’s Wards 7 and 8;
- Participates in the organization’s educational resource development;
- Other tasks as may be assigned.
Qualifications
We are looking for applicants with the following qualifications:
- Juris Doctor degree and state bar admission (DC preferred, but if barred in another state must have ability to waive in);
- 2-3 years of experience litigating/providing direct legal services, preferably to survivors of domestic violence and/or sexual abuse;
- Experience working directly with youth, teens, and/or college students, understand youth culture, have a flexible understanding of the purpose of the law and how it can benefit young people;
- Demonstrated commitment to women’s issues, gender based violence, and intimate partner abuse;
- Survivor-centered focus, with an interest in issues impacting Black girl and adolescent survivors;
- Trauma informed and culturally competent advocacy skills;
- Excellent legal research and writing skills;
- Experience facilitating or working on presentations; trainings; and workshops/seminars;
- Patience, enthusiasm, creativity and a positive attitude;
- Ability to navigate and learn new and existing technology based applications and social media networks;
- Ability to work well independently as well as in team environment;
- Past experience with a survivor-focused organization is a plus.
Access, Equity, and Inclusion
TSSC is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. TSSC is committed to building a culturally diverse team and to providing professional development opportunities. We strongly encourage applicants who are people of color, LGBTQ+, disabled, and/or members of otherwise marginalized groups.
Compensation & Benefits
At TSSC we prioritize flexibility and work-life balance. While TSSC is currently operating in a hybrid model, candidates are expected to be available to travel frequently in person to Washington, D.C to attend trainings, meet with clients, prepare for and participate in hearings, participate in community outreach initiatives, and other duties deemed necessary.
The salary for this position is $72,000. Compensation is commensurate with experience with the opportunity for merit-based raises. Generous benefits package includes paid health insurance, flexible paid holidays, hybrid work schedule, generous annual and sick leave allotments starting at 15 days of vacation and 15 days of sick leave per year; and Simple I.R.A. match.
How To Apply
Please send a resume, cover letter, and writing sample to Deputy Director, Nel-Sylvia Guzman, Esq., at nelsylvia.guzman@safesisterscircle.org. Please ensure that your cover letter details not only your relevant work experience but also your mission alignment with our work, and how diversity, equity, and inclusion guide the work you do.