EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY
Are you looking for work-life balance AND meaningful work?
POSITION TITLE: Staff Attorney, Legal Aid to Domestic Violence Survivors (2 positions)
Senior Attorney, Legal Aid to Domestic Violence Survivors (1 position)
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. The Senior Attorney has an annual salary of $67,000 to $72,000 based upon experience.
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. Applications will be reviewed beginning August 15th. 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 principlesreferredto as“REJI” can be found here:Washington Race Equity & JusticeInitiative–WA REJI
POSITION SUMMARY:
The attorneys providing legal aid to survivorsof domesticviolencewill workunder the general directionof TCVLS Executive Director. Work requiring the professional judgment of a lawyer will be supervised byaSenior Attorney.These positions areestablishedthanks toa grant fromthe Officeof Civil Legal Aid(State of Washington)that endsJune30, 2025. All positionsare overtime-exempt andserve at will.
The Attorneyswill providecivil legal assistance tolow-incomeindividualsor families whoare survivorsof domesticviolence.Serviceswill include advice andcounsel, limited representation, brief services,and/orextended representation.
Priorityfor legal serviceswill be given to immigrants with language barriers, American Indians andNative Alaskans,others with limited access tothe courts becauseof race, ethnicity, culture, sexual orientation/gender identify or disability and those who are identifiedas high riskbased on assessmenttools used byDV/SAorganizations (such as the JackieCampbell Danger Assessment). Those living inrural communities andwho are isolatedwill also be part of the priority communityof clients.Whilethere is nospecific incomequalifying criteria, we will prioritizethose without theresources to hire anattorney. Emphasis will beon protectionorders and family law representation necessary tosecure safeand supportive parenting plans, including protectionorders for children and child support.
This positionwill serve residents of Thurston,Mason,Grays Harbor,Pacific and/or Lewis Counties.Some evening andweekend workmay be required.Validdriver’slicense, insurance and privatevehiclerequired.
Essential Functions ofthe Position include:
•Licensed to practice law inWashington State.
•Provide legal assistance toclientsoftenin urgent situations toensurethe safety of the survivor andtheir family.
•Provide limited representation, brief services and extended representation to clients impacted bydomestic violence who have been affected by the COVID-19 emergency, in collaboration withThurston County Volunteer Legal Services staffand community partners.
•Ability to communicateeffectively in English (interpreters are available tocommunicate with clientswho do not speak English).
•Appear in court in-person,by videoconferencing or phone based upon the operationsof courtswithin service area.
•Provideservices in a manner that is sensitive and appropriate for thosewho have been traumatizedby physicaland mental abuse and/orviolence.
•Provideservices that reflect understanding of working with Native Americans, personsof color,membersofthe LGBTQcommunity,and others who havebeen marginalizedby 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, August 15th.
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.