Civil Division Director

Job Description

Job Description

JOB SUMMARY 

The Civil Division Program Director serves as a member of the Senior Management Team consisting of the President & CEO, CFO, COO, and Director of the Juvenile Justice Division. As part of the Senior Management Team, this position will collaborate in the day-to-day management of The Legal Aid Society of Rochester. They will provide oversight and supervision of the Civil Division Programs, and are responsible for the implementation of all policies and procedures. The Civil Division Director assists in the development of staff, programs and funding opportunities and assures that the highest level of legal services is provided. 

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS 

Civil Division Leadership 

• Key Member of the senior management team to provide overall strategic leadership for the management of the agency. 
  
• Support and coach Program Directors and Supervisors to excel in their management responsibilities. 
  
• Collaborate with the Program Directors and Supervisors to ensure the smooth operation and implementation of programs, standardized policies, and procedures; provide strategic direction and leadership regarding unit organization and growth. 
  
• Partner with the CEO and COO to translate strategic priorities for the civil division into operational plans, policies, and procedures across all units. 
  
• Meet regularly with Program Directors and Supervisors and communicate their needs to the Senior Management Team.  
  
• Establish and maintain program policies, procedures, and case management standards consistent with the agency's mission, funder requirements, and applicable legal practice standards. 
  
• Participate in the development, planning and management of the civil program budgets. 
  
• Supervise and oversee Program Directors to ensure compliance and grant contracts and deliverables, providing direct supervision as it relates to this. Ensure the Program Directors and staff understand the objective and goals of each grant funding the unit. 
  
• Work with the Grants Administration Team regarding grant management, including facilitating timely and accurate reporting to grant funders as necessary. 
  
• Work with the COO and Grant Administration Team in the preparation of Civil Division grant applications and funding requests and lead in the management of program budgets and staff allocations. 
  
• Oversee legal quality control across the Civil Division, including conducting periodic case file audits and practice reviews to ensure compliance with professional standards, grant requirements, and agency expectations. 
  
• Ensure continuity of court coverage and caseload management across Civil Division units, including developing protocols for attorney absences, emergency coverage needs, and equitable distribution of case assignments. 

Staff Development and Retention 

• Provide strategic guidance and oversight to Program Directors and staff on complex civil litigation matters, including trial strategy, research, legal writing, and major case preparation; co-counsel or directly assist in significant or complex cases as operationally warranted. 
  
• Oversee the professional development, mentoring, and continuing legal education of civil program staff across all supervised units, in alignment with agency goals and funder expectations. 
  
• Lead and support Program Directors in conducting timely and meaningful performance evaluations, interim reviews, and case reviews for their respective staff. 
  
• Partner with the COO and HR on human resources matters affecting program staff, including hiring, discipline, and termination decisions within supervised units. 
  
• Work with the Program Directors and the COO to develop and implement appropriate on-boarding and training for programs staff including substantive law training, and practice skills development. 
  
• Conduct interim and annual performance evaluations of Program Directors and Supervisors. Provide oversight and implementation of disciplinary and corrective performance actions as necessary. 

Client Services and Community Engagement 

• Ensure consistent, equitable, and trauma informed service delivery for clients across all program units, including maintaining accessible intake processes and responsive case handling. 
  
• Serve as the escalation point for unresolved client complaints, staff concerns, or complex service delivery issues within the Civil Division, and escalate matters to the COO as appropriate. 
  
• Along with the Program Directors and Program staff, ensure that Represent LASROC is represented at community partner meetings, collaborative initiatives, coalition tables, and public forums relevant to the agency's civil legal services mission. 
  
• Cultivate and maintain relationships with community-based organizations, social service agencies, courts, and other stakeholders to support client referrals and coordinated service delivery. 
  
• Address client concerns and Program Director/staff questions about the delivery of legal services to clients. 

Organizational and Administrative Leadership 

• Attend Board of Directors meetings as requested by the President & CEO or COO and provide program updates to the Board as directed. 
  
• Participate in all office functions, including all-staff meetings, special projects, and other ad hoc LASROC meetings. 
  
• Participate in Management Team meetings and other agency-wide meetings, committees, and initiatives. 
  
• Represent the agency with funders, vendors, technology partners, and community organizations as assigned.  

SUPERVISORY DUTIES   

• Provides leadership and direction to direct reports, including recruitment, training, and performance management. 

• Sets clear expectations, goals, and priorities for team members and monitor their progress towards achieving them. 

• Conducts regular one-on-one meetings with direct reports to provide feedback, support their professional development, and address any performance issues. 

• Delegates tasks and responsibilities effectively, balancing workload and ensuring optimal
  utilization of team resources. 

• Fosters a collaborative and inclusive team environment, encouraging open communication, idea sharing, and teamwork. 

• Mentors and coaches team members to enhance their skills, knowledge, and career growth within the company. 

• Leads by example, demonstrating professionalism, integrity, and a commitment to the organization's values and culture. 

• Handles escalated issues or conflicts within the team, providing guidance and facilitating resolution in a timely and effective manner. 

• Prepares performance evaluation documentation; reviews and conducts performance evaluation meetings. 

• Reviews and approves expense reimbursements, mileage, timecards and manages time off requests. 

EDUCATION, KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES 

• Must be an attorney admitted to practice law in New York State. 
  
• A minimum of 5 years of progressively responsible experience in the practice of law, with significant experience in civil legal services or a related public interest legal setting. 
  
• Demonstrated experience in a supervisory or program management role, including direct oversight of attorneys and/or multidisciplinary teams. 
  
• Demonstrated commitment to the principles of social justice and ensuring access to justice for underserved populations. 
  
• Proven ability to lead, motivate, and develop individuals and teams to achieve high performance and trauma informed client outcomes. 
  
• Strong knowledge of civil legal practice areas relevant to LASROC’s service population, including familiarity with applicable substantive law, court procedures, and legal ethics requirements. 
  
• Excellent interpersonal and relationship-building skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively with internal teams, community partners, funders, and other external stakeholders. 
  
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, including experience representing an organization publicly and before diverse audiences. 
  
• Strong organizational and project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple programs and priorities across a multi-office, multi-county organization. 
  
• Ability to travel as required; reliable transportation is required. 

PHYSICAL DEMANDS & WORK ENVIRONMENT 

• The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. 
• Extended periods of sitting at a desk or workstation while performing administrative tasks. 
  
• Regular use of computers and other office equipment, requiring manual dexterity and visual concentration. 
  
• Occasionally required to lift and/or move up to 10 pounds. 
  
• Mobility within the office environment to attend meetings, training sessions, or other events. 
  
• Ability to communicate effectively with associates, supervisors, and external stakeholders in person, over the phone, or via email.  
  
• Office-based environment with standard office equipment and ergonomic furniture. 
  
• Exposure to typical office noises such as phone calls, conversations, and office equipment operation. 
  
• Work will be performed in an in-office environment.    
  
• Travel may be required for attending training sessions, conferences, or other related events. 

Benefits:

• Hybrid Work schedule
  
• Paid Lunch Hour
  
• Employer contributions toward health and dental insurance plans
  
• Up to:
  
  • 15 days of vacation to start (based on experience)
    
  • 96 hours of sick leave
    
  • 48 hours of personal time
    
  • 14 paid holidays a year
    
  • $600 per year internet stipend
    
  • 3% match on the 401(k) or Roth 401(k) plan of your choice
    
• Language differential for being proficient in a program-relevant language
  
• Professional development opportunities
  
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness qualifying employer

The Legal Aid Society of Rochester, NY, provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.  This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.