Job Information
Cowlitz Wahkaikum Legal Aid Advocacy and Community Engagement Specialist (ACES) in Longview, Washington
ADVOCACY AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT SPECIALIST (ACES)
Application Deadline: September 21, 2022
Cowlitz Wahkiakum Legal Aid seeks An Advocacy and Community Engagement Specialist (ACES) to support the work of our agency for the delivery of our legal advice, counsel and representation programs. The ACES is responsible for the overall coordination of our various legal service delivery programs and our network of cooperating volunteer, staff and contracted attorneys who partner with the agency to provide services to the community. The ACES will work closely with The Legal Director, Executive Director, Legal Assistant, other ACES, and help our clients move their legal cases forward toward relief in the courts. The ideal candidate is a program developer who can bring organizational expertise to new areas of work for our agency and critical services to the communities who need it most. It is an exciting time of growth for Cowlitz Wahkiakum Legal Aid, and we seek an innovator who will help our clients and our staff thrive.
Our Mission: Cowlitz Wahkiakum Legal Aid (CWLA) seeks justice in the civil courts for underserved people whose livelihood, family, and wellness are threatened. We achieve this through education, advocacy, and engagement.
Overview of the Position: CWLA is expanding to provide the services most in demand by our clients. Our typical services barely scratch the surface of need and it is our hope that the ACES will help us provide higher quality and more services in the areas we traditionally cover like family law, and new programs to respond to the needs of particular communities and families involved in the child welfare system. Direct client contact will be a necessary part of the process, with oversight by The Legal Director, Executive Director and attorneys working with the agency to deliver legal services in our community. In addition, the ACES will work closely with other ACES to follow up on legal clinics, helping to enact the instructions of attorneys during the clinics with the involvement of the clients themselves.
The ACES reports to the Executive Director. With this new position, there are a total of three ACES, each with different and overlapping program responsibilities. ACES are expected to work as a team to provide high quality services to the community. ACES will work closely with the Legal Director or Executive Director to implement the strategic direction of the organization. As part of the strategic plan of CWLA and in all of its work, race equity is an overarching value, in program development, program delivery, and operations. The ACES must work and lead in light of these principles and values.
The ACES will use organizational skills and follow up, and stay apprised of the calendar and the work taking place in our various programs and ensure quality and compliance in all aspects of the work.
Our agency is currently following COVID-19 protocols, pronouncements and recommendations. Currently, our office is closed to walk-in traffic, but staff is able to use the office to meet with clients as long as attention to health screening, cleaning, space requirements and vaccination status is met. As an organization, we value working as a team and look forward to when we can return to our office, which will ultimately be required on a regular Monday through Friday daytime schedule. To aid in remote work our agency provides laptops, office supplies, equipment and technology support. We are willing to discuss flexible remote and in-person office solutions with applicants.
CWLA is an equal opportunity employer. We value a diverse workforce and an inclusive culture. CWLA encourages applications from all qualified individuals without regard to race, color, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, national