Supervising Senior Attorney, Education Debt Consumer Assistance Program (EDCAP)

ALBANY OR ROCHESTER – TELESCA CENTER, NEW YORK

Employment Status: Full-Time

FLSA Status: Exempt

Practice Group/Team: Consumer, Finance, and Housing (CFH)

Organization Information

Empire Justice Center, a diverse and highly respected statewide legal services organization, seeks a Supervising Senior Attorney for our Education Debt Consumer Assistance Program (EDCAP) with our Consumer, Finance, and Housing (CFH) practice group. This is an opportunity to join and grow in one of the most influential organizations serving marginalized low-income individuals and families in New York State. 

Empire Justice Center attracts and employs a diverse team of dedicated, determined, and passionate advocates who significantly impact the lives of low-income New Yorkers. We succeed through direct legal representation, high-impact litigation, and legislative and administrative advocacy. As an organization, we provide top-notch training and technical assistance to other advocates to ensure fairness and justice for New Yorkers. We thrive on our commitment to supporting justice for populations that have historically experienced severe oppression. These populations include racially diverse individuals and families experiencing poverty, housing insecurity, immigration issues, and domestic violence. Additionally, the organization advocates for people with disabilities, members of the LGBTQ community, and school-age children facing discrimination and violations of their civil rights in schools.

Our offices in Rochester, Albany, Westchester County, and Long Island offer staff an exciting, dynamic, inclusive working environment with a solid commitment to work/life balance, teamwork, diversity, wellness, and personal/professional development.

Position Summary 

Empire Justice Center is pleased to announce an opening for a Supervising Senior Attorney. The Education Debt and Consumer Assistance Program (EDCAP) Supervising Senior Attorney will oversee the EDCAP unit's practice, handle their own cases, and supervise the EDCAP Paralegal. They will manage and develop the EDCAP program, provide training, technical assistance, and support to attorneys, advocates, and EDCAP grantees; engage in legislative advocacy; and provide advice and counsel, as well as direct legal representation, to clients.

Salary

The referenced pay range/scale represents this job's estimated minimum and maximum compensation. Individual annual salaries/hourly rates will be set within the job's compensation range and determined by factors including, but not limited to, education, experience, qualifications, the individual's expertise, market data, and internal equity considerations.

Supervising Senior Attorney, 7-8 years of experience, $104,700-$111,000 (Upstate NY) 

Benefits

We are an organization that supports and encourages a work/life balance. Empire Justice Center offers a generous benefit package, including:

· 35-hour full-time work week.

· Health Insurance Coverage.

o Platinum-level equivalent coverage for individuals and families.

· 403(b) eligibility - immediately eligible to begin contributing from your paycheck.

· Immediate vesting upon hire - ALL contributions (both employee and employer).

o 1% employer match is eligible after 12 months of employment. 

o 3% Non-Elective annual contribution made by employer after 12 months of employment.

· Generous vacation, sick, personal, and holiday paid time off.

· Bilingual salary enhancement for qualifying employees.

· Loan Repayment Assistance Program.

· Voluntary Supplemental Disability.

· Dental Insurance (employee paid).

· Vision Insurance (employee paid).

· $150K Group Term Life Insurance.

· Generous Bereavement Leave.

· Employee Wellness Activities.

· NYS Short-Term Disability.

· FSA Eligibility.

Empire Justice Center is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer and strongly desires a diverse and inclusive workforce. Empire Justice Center provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants. It prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type, specifically - race, color, religion, age, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, disability status, genetics, neurodiversity, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws. 

 Essential Duties and Responsibilities 

· Travel to and work in the Albany or Rochester Telesca Center office is required to meet client and organizational needs.

o This position is eligible for a hybrid work request under the organizational policy.

· Develop and implement the vision and goals of the EDCAP program using Empire Justice Center's 360-degree model, which includes direct services, training and technical assistance, impact litigation, and policy advocacy.

· Oversee and manage the EDCAP program, ensuring compliance with program policies, procedures, and grant requirements and meeting grant deliverables.

· Oversee the collection and reporting of case and other information as required by grant and contract providers and provide them with timely reports as required.

· Develop new systems and procedures as needed.

· Supervise the Student Loan Paralegal and any future EDCAP employees.

· Provide information, advice, and counsel to student loan borrowers.

· Participate in the leadership of Empire Justice Center as a member of the management team.

· Help student loan borrowers apply for relief through cancellation, forgiveness, or discharge programs. 

· Represent student debt borrowers in court and administrative proceedings at all stages of litigation, including but not limited to excellent research and written advocacy, discovery, witness preparation, representation in hearings and at trial, and settlement negotiations.

· Serve as EDCAP and student loan subject matter expert, developing an in-depth knowledge of the law related to education debt.

· Lead and participate in coalitions that advocate for the needs of individuals with education debt.

· Provide legal education and substantive law training on education debt/student loan-related legal issues to the New York State EDCAP and legal community through CLEs, presentations, and other formal and informal methods.

· Provide comprehensive technical assistance to other attorneys, advocates, and EDCAP grantees on complex cases and education debt-related questions.

· Undertake legislative and policy advocacy aimed at improving access to justice in the area of educational debt under the supervision of the Policy and Communications Director.

· Conduct outreach and engage in publicity to increase awareness of the EDCAP program.

· Identify systemic issues for advocacy and opportunities for pursuing impact litigation.

· Must demonstrate a high level of comfort and commitment to working with people from marginalized communities. 

· Work closely with your assigned supervisor and participate in regular supervision meetings, including work plan development and grant deliverable management. 

· Please note that all positions will supervise other practice group members if needed.

· Due to limited resources, all staff are expected to perform administrative and other support-related duties to serve our clients and fulfill our mission as a non-profit legal services organization.

· Other duties as assigned by your supervisor and/or to meet the organization’s needs. 

 Minimum Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities) 

· Juris Doctorate Degree from an accredited US law school or international equivalent.

· Admission to the New York State Bar and in good standing as a member of the NYS bar.

· Minimum of 7 to 8 years of experience as an attorney.  

· Supervisory or management experience is required. 

· Excellent writing, advocacy, and verbal communication skills. 

· Ability and willingness to mentor, supervise, and train legal staff in all Empire Justice Offices through video conferencing/communication and travel when necessary. 

· Strong leadership skills. 

· Litigation experience and/or experience in litigating in administrative hearings. 

· Knowledge of student loan work.

· The ability to provide legal advice to clients who do not speak English via an interpreter.

· Demonstrated proficiency in Microsoft 365 (Outlook, Word, Excel, SharePoint, PowerPoint), with the ability to learn and adapt to other applications quickly, including but not limited to file management applications, calendar applications, and virtual meeting applications. 

· Must demonstrate strong analytical skills. 

· Ability to shift priorities while working in a fast-paced environment with multiple competing objectives. 

· Effective decision-making skills that balance overall organizational and leadership objectives with employee needs. 

· Effective interpersonal skills and the ability to cultivate partnerships. 

· Experience in working with diverse clientele, including those who have experienced poverty. 

Commitment to improving the lives and circumstances of those who have experienced poverty and discrimination.  

TO APPLY: Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. If interested, please visit our “Work With Us” employment page on our website at www.empirejustice.org. Please submit a complete application, including a resume, cover letter, writing sample, and contact information for three professional references (one supervisor is required). Please refrain from making phone calls or sending hard copies. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

If reasonable accommodations are needed, please contact Mercedece Love, Human Resources and Compliance Manager, at mlove@empirejustice.org. Empire Justice Center is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, Empire Justice Center ensures that persons with disabilities and/or communication barriers have reasonable accommodations.