Homeownership Project Coordinator

ABOUT PHILADELPHIA VIP

Philadelphia VIP is a nonprofit that recruits and supports volunteer attorneys to represent low-income Philadelphians who face critical legal issues but cannot afford a lawyer.

Since 1981, VIP has been the hub of pro bono in Philadelphia, annually supporting over 1,000 volunteers assisting hundreds of low-income clients in four priority areas: preventing homelessness, preserving income, supporting family stability, and promoting community economic development. Our staff of eighteen consists of attorneys, case managers, and other professionals and is highly collaborative, creative, and passionate about our capacity-building model of service. VIP values a diverse and inclusive work environment and encourages qualified people from historically underrepresented groups to apply.

POSITION SUMMARY

Reporting to a Supervising Attorney, the Homeownership Project Coordinator plays a critical role in VIP’s tangled title project. Clients experiencing a tangled title have a legal claim to their home (such as through inheritance) but do not have their name on the deed, preventing them from accessing benefits and services available to homeowners.

The Coordinator will manage the Tangled Title Fund (TTF), a City-funded program currently exceeding $200,000 that pays for costs associated with resolving clients’ title issues. Core responsibilities include managing and maintaining application materials, ensuring accurate data entry and tracking, facilitating regular communication with key legal service agencies and volunteer attorneys assisting tangled title clients, and coordinating with the TTF Advisory Committee.

Depending on organizational needs, the Coordinator may also carry a fluctuating caseload and assist clients facing tangled title and estate planning challenges. This includes preparing cases for placement with volunteer attorneys, matching clients with appropriate legal support, and providing logistical assistance to attorneys and clients throughout the case lifecycle.

The position is full-time (38-40 hours/week) and nonexempt, with a salary range of $44,000 to $49,000 and an outstanding team atmosphere. VIP’s generous benefits include medical and dental insurance (with employee medical premium fully paid by VIP); a 403(b) plan with employer contributions; short- and long-term disability and life insurance; flexible spending accounts for health and dependent care; industry-leading paid time off, including substantial vacation and sick time, 12+ paid holidays, and paid parental leave; an individual budget for professional development; and alternative work arrangements, including generous telework hours and scheduling flexibility. This position is part of a bargaining unit of employees represented by UAW. This position is funded through December 2026 and continued employment is contingent on receipt of funding. VIP is actively seeking to secure further funding.

KEY QUALIFICATIONS

A strong Homeownership Project Coordinator will demonstrate a sound commitment to VIP’s mission and to helping clients experiencing tangled titles; a drive for excellent recordkeeping and maintaining sound, accurate data; strong communication skills; and interest in working in a collaborative, team-oriented environment. Further qualifications include:

• Bachelor’s Degree required; no legal background needed
• Excellent attention to detail and to data integrity
• Demonstrated capacity to build relationships with individuals from diverse backgrounds
• Experience assisting clients living in poverty or volunteers preferred, but not required
• Strong organizational and time management skills
• Capacity for learning and understanding basic legal issues related to homeownership
• Team player, collaborative, and able to receive and act on feedback
• Aptitude with technology, including a comprehensive case management system

KEY FUNCTIONS

Manage Tangled Title Fund (TTF) applications, case files, and data:

• Receive incoming applications and disbursement requests, and review for completeness.
• Communicate promptly with applicants’ attorneys, regularly follow up for missing information and documentation, and send checks to applicants’ attorneys.
• Prepare for and lead monthly TTF Advisory Committee meetings, including compiling packets ahead of time for Committee review, leading the meetings through review of all submissions, and communicating approval decisions to applicants’ attorneys.
• Provide support to TTF applicants who are not represented by attorneys, including directing them to key resources to ultimately enable them to utilize TTF monies.
• Maintain and promptly update case files in LegalServer, VIP’s case management system.
• Prepare case narratives to highlight the impact of the Tangled Title Fund.
• With attorney support, develop a basic working knowledge of the probate process, real estate transactions, and real estate litigation.
• With direction from the management team, continually monitor the TTF’s overall expenditures, and implement changes needed to ensure that available funds are utilized fully and properly.

Guide and support clients and volunteer attorneys throughout the life of the case:

• Under attorney supervision, interview new clients to gather necessary information and documents, assess the legal merit of cases, and summarize the legal issues requiring assistance.
• With attorney support, develop a working knowledge of the probate process, real estate transactions, and real estate litigation.
• Facilitate the volunteer-client relationship, and monitor cases for status reports, deadlines, and emergencies.
• With attorney supervision, provide logistical support to volunteer attorneys and ongoing case management to clients.
• Participate in developing and refining substantive support strategies aimed at ensuring a positive experience for the volunteers and better outcomes for the clients.

Recruit and retain volunteer attorneys in private practice to fulfill VIP’s mission:

• Using VIP’s volunteer database, conduct routine, thoughtful outreach to persuade volunteers to take cases.
• Proactively seek opportunities to engage new, current, and lapsed volunteers with VIP’s mission and casework, including by collaborating on the development of better volunteer outreach and engagement techniques.
• Actively strengthen partnerships with existing volunteer attorneys, and participate in volunteer recognition efforts and events.
• Assist in planning, execution, and follow-up for volunteer clinics, trainings, and other events.
• Track metrics to evaluate and improve recruitment and retention efforts and legal program outcomes.
• Attend regular meetings, and perform all other duties, as assigned.

HOW TO APPLY:

Email cover letter, resume, and references to Nadav Carmel, Director of Operations, at jobs@phillyvip.org. References will not be contacted without prior permission from candidate. No calls, please.

What to include in your cover letter: All cover letters should include a salary requirement and potential start date.

Deadline: Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, with priority given to those received by March 28, 2025.

Candidates should be able to interview in person at VIP’s Center City office for a 2nd round interview, at minimum, during April 2025.

PHILADELPHIA VIP IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Philadelphia VIP values and encourages diversity and solicits applications from all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, gender, sex, age, religion, creed, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, marital status, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, medical condition, military and veteran status, gender identity or expression, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law. VIP is committed to equal employment opportunity, and all personnel decisions and actions, including recruitment, hiring, training, promotion, and compensation and benefits, will be based on valid job requirements and without regard to any characteristic protected from discrimination under applicable laws.