Director of Public Interest Law

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Working at Lewis & Clark College

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Lewis & Clark College is committed to achieving a diverse workforce. Candidates from diverse backgrounds are encouraged to apply. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to status as a protected veteran or a qualified individual with a disability, or other protected status, such as race, religion, color, national origin, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status or age.

PRIMARY PURPOSE:

The Director of Public Interest Law oversees the law school's public interest and public service career-related activities, including public interest career counseling, public service career fairs, and public interest pro bono opportunities, with a focus on assisting students and alumni in pursuing internships, fellowships, and post-graduate employment positions in public interest law, public service, and judicial clerkships.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Assist law students and alumni in pursuing internships, fellowships, and post-graduate employment positions in public interest law, public service, and judicial clerkships.
• Provide information and counseling on public interest and public service careers and funding options to prospective/admitted students, current students, and alumni.
• Administer the Judicial Clerkship Program, including student/alumni advising, liaising with the Faculty Employment and Judicial Clerkship Committee, and building relationships with judges and their staffs.
• Organize and coordinate public interest, public service, pro bono career fairs and other events, promoting students' interaction with attorneys and prospective employers.
• Arrange panel presentations, informational activities on judicial clerkships, public interest, and public service careers.
• Serve as staff liaison to Faculty Public Interest Law Committee.
• Administer the Loan Repayment Assistance Program (LRAP) application process, and liaising with the Faculty LRAP Committee.
• Coordinate with the Business office on the Federal Work Study Program, including maintaining and developing relationships with work study employers and answering student questions regarding work study.
• Coordinate with the Public Interest Law Project (PILP) student group, and on-campus student organizations to help them develop, organize, and coordinate community service and pro bono activities sponsored by the student organizations. Serve as Staff Advisor for PILP and provide assistance as needed with fundraising activities and stipend distribution.
• Foster leadership skills among students, encouraging them and supporting them in taking leadership roles in local, regional, and national groups promoting public interest and public service work.
• Act as liaison between law school and bar associations or professional associations. When invited, serve on local, regional, and national advisory boards.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• J.D.
• 1 year of legal experience (significant clerking experience during law school may be substituted for post-graduate experience)
• Strong interpersonal skills
• Ability to meet the needs of diverse student, staff, and faculty community
• Knowledge of Portland public interest and public service employers and job market
• Ability to think creatively and independently
• Strong organizational skills
• Strong computer and technical skills to include experience with or aptitude to learn career services software by 12Twenty, videoconferencing tools such as Zoom, virtual event planning, google tools, and Microsoft Suite tools.
• Ability to work remotely under self-direction during traditional work hours

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Lewis & Clark Law School alumni
• 2+ years in a legal public interest/public service position
• 1-2 years in a post-graduate judicial clerkship
• Knowledge of national public interest and public service employers and job market
• Understanding of LRAP and other loan repayment/forgiveness programs

WORK SCHEDULE:

• Full-time
• Benefits eligible: Yes
• This position could potentially work remotely, including out of state (Oregon).
  
  

PAY RATE:

• Commensurate with experience

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• The job works primarily at a desk or is otherwise involved in activities requiring little lifting, climbing or working in tiring positions.
• Bending, Kneel/squat, Climbing (stairs), Standing, Sitting, Walking, Grasping/Gripping, Pinching/Squeezing, Reaching, Push/Pulling, Repetitive Hand Movements (e.g., typing), Seeing, Talking, Hearing

Directions for Cover Letter

Please upload your cover letter on the My Experience screen in the resume section.

Lewis & Clark College adheres to a nondiscriminatory policy with respect to educational programs, activities, employment, and admission. We do not discriminate on the basis of actual or perceived race, color, sex, religion, age, marital status, national origin, the presence of any physical or sensory disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or any other basis prohibited by applicable federal, state, and local laws. The Associate Vice President of Human Resources has been designated to handle inquiries regarding employment- and disability-related non-discrimination policies. Title IX inquiries may be directed to the Title IX coordinator or deputy Title IX coordinators

( https://www.lclark.edu/about/title_ix_compliance ).

Reasonable Accommodation

Federal law requires employers to provide reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities. Please tell us if you require a reasonable accommodation to apply for a job or to perform your job. Examples of reasonable accommodation include making a change to the application process or work procedures, providing documents in an alternate format, using a sign language interpreter, or using specialized equipment.

Background Check

Lewis & Clark College will conduct a background check on the finalist, which will include a criminal record check. If a conviction is discovered, a determination will be made whether the conviction is related to the position for which the individual is applying or would present safety or security risks before an employment decision is made. A criminal conviction does not necessarily automatically bar an applicant from employment.

Eligibility to Work

In order to comply with US Homeland Security Department regulations, all employees must complete an I-9 form in Workday prior to or no later than the first day of work and bring originals (no photocopies) of their supporting documentation to Human Resources no later than the 3rd business day of employment. Failure to have a completed I-9 form on file with the College will result in immediate termination of employment.