Programs Manager

LAW Advocates’ Mission: Provide free civil legal assistance to low-income Whatcom County residents by linking them with attorney and community volunteers.

Hours: 40 hours per week. Standard work week is Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. 

Duties occasionally require work to be performed on weekends and evenings.

Wage: $28.85 per hour (approx. $60,000 annually)

Benefits: 100 percent paid employee health insurance premium; vacation; sick leave

Preferred Start Date: As soon as possible

Reports to: Executive Director

LAW Advocates provides free, high quality, efficient, and innovative civil legal assistance to low‐ 

income people through staff, contract attorneys, and the recruitment, training, mentoring, supervision, and support of volunteer lawyers. We rely heavily on the participation of lawyers who volunteer their time to assist low‐income residents of Whatcom County with their civil 

legal needs. Pro bono services are provided through advice and brief service clinics, unbundled 

legal services, and full direct representation.

LAW Advocates is organizationally committed to advancing racial equity and to incorporating equity and inclusion in its community engagement, program delivery, internal systems and work environment. LAW Advocates expects all staff to incorporate racial equity into their work, and approach their role with a desire to learn and grow in this area.

The Programs Manager is responsible for managing the delivery of civil legal services, including 

client communications, volunteer coordination, and management of confidential case files.

The Programs Manager provides leadership in planning, developing, and implementing of the

objectives of the organization, and facilitates activities that ensure that the vision, mission, 

and initiatives of the organization are effectively implemented with a racial equity lens and 

shared with the broader community. The Programs Manager regularly interfaces with external 

organizations as a point of contact for LAW Advocates, and stays well‐informed on statewide and 

national issues related to equal justice and advises the Executive Director and Board with respect 

to applicability in Whatcom County.

JOB DUTIES INCLUDE:

Programs Administration & Development

1. Conduct initial client intake interviews.

2. Evaluate clients’ needs and make appropriate placements and referrals. Train and supervise 

other staff, interns, and volunteers in doing the same.

3. Supervise Programs Assistant and other staff/interns and volunteers as requested.

4. Ensure that LAW Advocates’ services are racially equitable and consistent with the strategic 

plan, organizational policies, requirements set forth by funders, and applicable law. Assist LAW 

Advocates to achieve and sustain compliance with best practice standards as set forth in the 

Washington Pro Bono Program Standards.

5. Maintain accurate statistics with regard to client services and outcomes.

6. Monitor the quality and effectiveness of services.

7. Identify and establish relationships with potential community partners who also serve our 

client population.

8. Work collaboratively with community partners to address the barriers clients face and to 

identify service gaps and shortcomings.

9. Propose solutions and improvements to the delivery of legal services and assist in the 

development and implementation of new programs and policies.

10.   Participate in Alliance for Equal Justice and Pro Bono Council activities as assigned by 

the Executive Director.

11.   Monitor case progress and maintain confidential electronic case files (and paper files as

needed), including timely data entry and conducting regular audits of open cases. Supervise the 

Programs Assistant, interns, and volunteers to do the same.

12.   Collaborate with other staff on assigned duties with regard to specific project operations.

13.   Regularly update LAW Advocates’ website to reflect accurate program information and 

calendars.

Volunteer Management

1. Serve as LAW Advocates’ volunteer coordinator.

2. Recruit, screen, and orient volunteer attorneys.

3. Recruit, screen, orient, and supervise non-attorney volunteers.

4. Respond to volunteer inquires.

5. Perform background checks on new volunteers as appropriate.

6. Ensure that volunteer policies are consistent with the strategic plan and in compliance with 

agency policies, requirements set forth by funders, and relevant law.

7. Identify any existing difficulties with existing volunteer policies and procedures, develop 

solutions and improvements and support the Executive Director and program staff in implementing them.

8. Cultivate positive relationships with volunteers, maintain open communication, and solicit 

feedback.

9. Maintain electronic volunteer database with contact information, interest areas, and volunteer 

hours.

10.   Coordinate an annual volunteer appreciation event.

11.   Identify and carry out other opportunities for volunteer appreciation, including awards  nominations and positive press.

Bar Association Relations

1. The members of the Whatcom County Bar Association (WCBA) are the members of the organization, a key constituency crucial to the success of the organization, and a primary source of volunteer lawyers. The Program Manager works with the Executive Director to develop and 

maintain good relations with the bar leaders and the general membership.

2. Assist the Executive Director to communicate LAW Advocates’ activities to the WCBA, including 

preparation of the monthly pro bono page of the WCBA newsletter, development of newsletter 

articles, and email communications.

Grant Development & Management

1. Identify grant opportunities and assist in drafting applications for existing and proposed 

programs.

2. Assist the Executive Director to meet grant contract requirements, including reporting 

obligations.

Marketing & Fundraising

1. Assist with the annual LTO auction and dinner, including volunteer management, item and 

sponsorship acquisition, and recognition.

2. Assist with marketing and public relations, including participation in community events and 

development of press releases and other marketing materials.

Required Qualifications

1. Commitment to LAW Advocates’ mission, vision, and values, including a commitment to race equity in all aspects of the organization’s operations. See https://lawadvocates.org/our- purpose/

2. Life experiences and/or education that enhance the ability of the organization to fulfill its 

mission, vision and values.

3. Competency in Microsoft Office Suite applications, including Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Publisher 

and Outlook. Basic graphic design skills a plus.

4. Working knowledge of standard office procedures and technologies (telephone, computer, printer, photocopier, scanner, facsimile machine, 10‐key).

5. Strong and effective communication skills (oral and written), capable of relating to all 

levels: individual, agency, community, state, regulatory and courts.

6. Supervisory skills for managing and motivating support staff and large panel of volunteer 

attorneys, paralegals, and non-attorneys.

7. Good judgment and strong interpersonal skills.

8. Excellent organizational and time management skills.

9. Demonstrated issue-identification and problem-solving skills.

10.   Ability to work both independently and collaboratively.

11.   Innovative and able to explore new techniques.

12.   Able to work under pressure and meet deadlines.

13.   A demonstrated cultural competence and experience working with low‐income client 

communities, which may include diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds, persons with limited English proficiency, persons with disabilities, etc.

14.   A demonstrated passion and commitment to the principles of access to justice and to the 

development of programs and initiatives designed to ensure that low‐income persons have access to the legal help they need.

15.   Ability to think strategically about LAW Advocates’ priorities and help to translate these 

priorities into program activities.

Other Desired Qualifications

1. Fluency in Spanish or Russian.

2. Experience working with volunteers.

3. Program design and project management experience.

4. Experience providing civil legal services to low‐income clients, preferably in a volunteer 

lawyer program setting.

5. Experience managing programs for an agency or non‐profit, preferably in the delivery of legal services to low income individuals.

6. A demonstrated basic knowledge and understanding of the uses of technology in the justice 

system.

7. Affinity for strategic thinking, creative problem‐solving, and analysis.

8. Experience in compliance with grant, contract and legal aid principles and requirements.

9. Familiarity with the Legal Server case management system.

10.   Individuals with a Juris Doctor degree are encouraged to apply, but a JD is not required.

LAW Advocates has an organizational commitment to incorporate racial equity and inclusion in both  the work we do and work environment we create. All staff are expected to uphold this 

commitment and approach their role with a desire to learn and grow in this area.

To Apply: Please submit a resume, cover letter, and contact information for 3 references to Michael Heatherly, Executive Director, at resumes@lawadvocates.org. Use “Programs 

Manager” as the email subject. Please do not submit written materials or make inquiries by phone.

Application review will begin on July 5, 2022. Applications will be accepted until the position is

filled.