Program Coordinator, Emergency Response Team (ERT)

Program Coordinator, Emergency Response Team (ERT) #25-77

New York, New York, United States

Deadline is 3:00 PM EST for Date Listed

Apr 30, 2025

Job Description

The Legal Aid Society’s Civil Practice is seeking a Emergency Response Team (ERT) Program Coordinator to join the brand-new Emergency Response Team of our City-wide Housing Practice. Every day across New York City, hundreds of low-income families end up in the various housing courts seeking immediate assistance as they have been evicted or are facing eviction within the next 24 hours. These critical cases require immediate action. Under this program, a team of supervisors, attorneys, and paralegals will operate as an emergency response team to provide representation to these clients. The ERT provides clients with legal and social services, with the dual objectives of preventing the immediate threat of homelessness, and stabilizing families over time to reduce the risk of homelessness in partnership with social services agencies.

The City-wide Housing Practice at The Legal Aid Society handles a broad range of individual and group tenant representation at the trial and appellate levels, including holdovers, nonpayment proceedings, administrative hearings, and affirmative litigation in state and federal courts. The practice also works with tenant associations, tenant organizers, community-based organizations, partner legal services agencies, and pro bono attorneys.

The Program Coordinator will join the team and assist with the administration of several funds which provide emergency rental arrears grants and grants for other emergency client needs. The Program Coordinator will also participate in all aspects of ensuring effective administration of reporting on the grant for this program.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES

Program Administration and Data Collection

• In conjunction with other fund administrators, oversee several emergency funds for rental arrears and other client needs, including communication with casehandlers, drafting written communications, and tracking requests and disbursements of the funds
• Serve as liaison between Grants and Contracts department and the ERT for data collection and reporting, including updating designated reports
• Process and administer rental arrears assistance to eligible low-income tenants
• Ensure accurate and timely disbursement of rental arrears payments to landlords on behalf of qualified tenants
• Maintain detailed records of rental arrears payments and tenant eligibility criteria
• Under the supervision of ERT leadership, collaborate with tenants, landlords, and external agencies to facilitate smooth payment processes
• Stay updated on relevant rental assistance programs and guidelines to effectively support tenants
• Prepare and distribute notices to tenants regarding rental arrears assistance programs and requirements
• Document tenant inquiries, issues, and resolutions related to rental arrears assistance
• Assist in maintaining organized files and documentation for audit purposes
• Coordinate communication between tenants, landlords, and the property management team
• Support other administrative tasks as needed to ensure the efficient operation of the rental arrears grant program

Professional Development and other duties as assigned

• Participate in continuous professional development
• Continuously learn about forms of bias in the workplace and demonstrate affirmative behaviors that support an inclusive work environment
• Other duties as assigned

QUALIFICATIONS

Required qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field or a combination of 4+ years of post-secondary education and work experience

Preferred qualifications:

• Experience in advocating for tenants strongly preferred
• Experience working in a fast-paced environment
• Strong computer skills, proficiency in Microsoft Office, especially Microsoft Excel, and the ability to work with databases strongly preferred

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

Position Based Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Demonstrated ability to gather data, compile information, keep accurate records, and conceptualize statistical reports
• Ability to monitor program budgets
• Demonstrated ability to accurately and quickly compile information and keep accurate records
• Ability to work in a team setting including strong communication and follow-up skills
• Excellent judgement, including ability to handle sensitive or confidential information

Organizational Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Highly self-motivated and able to work independently
• Interpersonal and communication skills that enable healthy and productive working relationships
• Ability to perform duties with the highest regard for confidentiality, integrity, and respect
• Ability to multitask
• Commitment to Legal Aid Society’s mission and values

Physical, environment, travel, and other duties required

• Mostly sedentary, significant time using a computer and monitor; communicating and meeting using video 

OUR COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY, EQUITY AND INCLUSION

The Legal Aid Society is committed to a work culture of zealous advocacy, respect, diversity and inclusion, client-oriented defense, access to justice and excellent representation. We are dedicated to building a strong professional relationship with each of our clients (people), to understanding their diverse circumstances, and to meeting their needs. Our ability to achieve these goals depends on the efforts of all of us and our ability to build strong relationships with our colleagues. Every member of our community is expected to continuously learn about the dynamic, evolving, and emerging field of knowledge of identity, bias, and systemic forms of oppression and participate in productive efforts to dismantling bias in all forms.

SALARY AND BENEFITS

The salary range represents a good faith estimate of the range we expect to pay for this role. The actual salary offered may vary depending on many factors, including but not limited to job-related knowledge, skills, and experience, as well as collectively bargained salary steps for unionized roles.

Salary Range: $72,700 - $76,700

The Legal Aid Society offers a generous benefits package including health insurance, paid vacation, disability, and life insurance, and more. Click here to read more about benefits.

Higher Education and Loan Forgiveness

The Legal Aid Society is a qualified employer for the purposes of the Public Service Loan Forgiveness. This position allows an employee to take advantage of PSLF and other State and Federal loan forgiveness programs. Additionally, employees who are New York residents may be eligible for assistance from New York state to assist with loan repayments, depending on years of practice. To learn more, click the links below.

studentaid.gov

hesc.ny.gov/loan-forgiveness-programs

WORK AUTHORIZATION

All applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States for any employer without sponsorship for a work visa or permit. We are currently unable to sponsor employment visas or permits. (However, for citizens of Canada and Mexico, LAS will provide a letter documenting employment status that is needed to obtain a TN visa.)

HOW TO APPLY

All applications must be completed online via the career portal. We do not accept emailed applications. Submit the following documents as a combined PDF:

• Cover Letter
• Resume

For technical difficulties or questions regarding this posting, please email jobpostquestions@legal-aid.org.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

As an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer, The Legal Aid Society prohibits discriminatory employment actions against and treatment of its employees and applicants for employment based on actual or perceived race or color, size (including bone structure, body size, height, shape, and weight), religion or creed, alienage or citizenship status, sex (including pregnancy), national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity (one’s internal deeply-held sense of one’s gender which may be the same or different from one’s sex assigned at birth); gender expression (the representation of gender as expressed through, for example, one’s name, choice of pronouns, clothing, haircut, behavior, voice, or body characteristics; gender expression may not conform to traditional gender-based stereotypes assigned to specific gender identities), disability, marital status, relationship and family structure (including domestic partnerships, polyamorous families and individuals, chosen family, platonic co-parents, and multigenerational families), genetic information or predisposing genetic characteristics, military status, domestic violence victim status, arrest or pre-employment conviction record, credit history, unemployment status, caregiver status, salary history, or any other characteristic protected by law.

OUR COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION

The Legal Aid Society is committed to a work culture of zealous advocacy, respect, diversity and inclusion, client-oriented defense, access to justice and excellent representation. We are dedicated to building a strong professional relationship with each of our clients (people), to understanding their diverse circumstances, and to meeting their needs. Our ability to achieve these goals depends on the efforts of all of us and our ability to build strong relationships with our colleagues. Every member of our community is expected to continuously learn about the dynamic, evolving, and emerging field of knowledge of identity, bias, and systemic forms of oppression and participate in productive efforts to dismantling bias in all forms.

Location

Manhattan - Civil Practice Lower Manhattan Neighborhood Office