Deputy Director, Housing

Staten Island Legal Services (across the street from the ferry) is seeking a full-time Tenant Rights Coalition (TRC) Deputy Director to join our housing law practice.

About Us

Staten Island Legal Services (SILS) provides high-quality, innovative representation to address the pressing legal needs of Staten Island's diverse low-income populations. SILS focuses on the problems that have the greatest impact on our clients — preserving affordable and decent housing, representing survivors of domestic violence, obtaining immigration status, and preventing deportations, advocating for the LGBTQ community, preventing foreclosures, and advocating for students with educational needs and people with disabilities. SILS is a part of Legal Services NYC (LSNYC), which is the largest provider of civil legal services in the country. LSNYC prides itself on its Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) efforts. Our DEIB committee and numerous affinity groups work to foster collegial relationships among staff and allow staff to explore and advocate for racial justice and anti-oppression growth within our organization and through our legal work. All employees are expected to learn about, seek to understand and work to realize our DEIB goals.

The Tenants Rights Coalition (TRC) aims to protect tenants’ rights, prevent harassment and abusive and discriminatory conduct, preserve affordable housing, and avoid displacement, particularly on Staten Island’s North Shore. The TRC team works with individuals and tenants groups to prevent evictions and support collective tenant action, often in partnership with community-based organizations.

Role and Responsibilities:

The TRC Deputy Director will work to support the Housing Unit’s existing advocacy efforts as well as be responsible for broadening and strengthening the unit’s work. The TRC Deputy Director will work together with the Housing Unit Director and Deputy to:

• Provide leadership and support to fulfill the TRC mission;
• Manage daily operations of the team;
• Work in collaboration with SILS’ Director of Litigation to identify and pursue impact litigation;
• Supervise regular appearances in civil, supreme, federal court and administrative appearances, both virtually and in person;
• Review draft pleadings, motions, and court submissions;
• Supervise paralegals in housing advocacy work;
• Assist attorneys and paralegals with developing case strategy and litigation plans. Support the filing of affirmative cases on behalf of tenants in State and Federal Court.;
• Strengthen relationships with community partners by proactive outreach and coalition building;
• Collaborate with the Housing Director and staff to identify opportunities for group litigation and tenant empowerment;
• Oversee and conduct weekday, evening, and weekend outreach and off-site intake with our partners;
• Lead training sessions both internally and externally, including “Know your Rights” training, and other legal trainings;
• Inspire the team to engage in creative strategies to preserve housing and build tenant power;
• Handle administrative and grant responsibilities, including compiling and assessing data in response to inquiries and as required by funders;
• Handle a small caseload and assist in handling emergency cases;
• Report to the Unit Director and assist the Unit Director as needed in support of the team, including tasks related to onboarding and training of new staff;
• Aid in supervision of in-person work activities in court and the office, and supervise a hybrid in-person and remote work housing legal team.

Experience and Qualifications:

• Applicants must have a J.D. from an accredited law school and be admitted to practice in New York;
• Minimum of 4 years of litigation experience, including demonstrated expertise in local, state, and federal housing law policy, housing court practice, housing programs and subsidies, and/or public benefits;
• Experience litigating affirmative cases on behalf of groups of tenants including motion practice and discovery;
• Strong interpersonal, teaching/training, and organizational skills;
• Experience working with diverse low-income communities and familiarity with structural and systemic racism and their intersection with poverty. Strong ties to or understanding of the Staten Island low-income communities is a plus;
• Commitment to social justice and working in low-income communities and communities of color to advance equity;
• Prior supervisory experience, experience working with grassroots organizations, experience supporting community-based organizing, and experience with policy, legislative, and media advocacy, are preferred;
• Excellent leadership, analytical, oral, and written communication skills;
• Strong interest in working directly with clients, specifically clients in crisis;
• Strong time management and organizational skills; and
• Spanish language fluency is a plus but not required.

Salary is commensurate with experience. Hybrid remote work policy, and excellent benefits package. All employees are strongly encouraged to continue to receive and maintain up-to-date COVID vaccinations unless they are unable to for medical or religious reasons.

How to Apply:

Interested individuals should e-mail a resume, cover letter, and writing sample to: silshiring@lsnyc.org and write “SILS TRC Deputy Director” in subject line

Only candidates selected for interviews will be contacted. Please no phone calls.

Applications will be considered on a rolling basis until the position is filled. Additional information about the practice may be found on our website, www.legalservicesnyc.org. Legal Services NYC is an equal opportunity employer. People of color, women, people with disabilities, gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people, and people over the age of 40 are strongly encouraged to apply.

Job#92_2024; Posted: 10.2024

Salary Range: $115,584-$183,696 (based on years of experience)