Benefits Legal Assistance Manager

The Benefits Legal Assistance Manager is responsible for the management, oversight and development of the Benefits Legal Assistance Program, as well as the supervision of the Benefits Attorneys with the program, law student interns and pro bono attorney volunteers. The Manager is the Lead Benefits Attorney and provides direct civil legal representation in administrative hearings and appeals, as well as brief services in the form of advice and counsel and information and referral to persons with low-income who have had state public assistance benefits denied, terminated or reduced. The Manager also conducts community outreach and provides training for community agencies around public assistance benefits. In addition to their responsibilities as Lead Benefits Attorney, the Manager is the point person to funders, collaborators and coalitions for the Benefits Legal Assistance Program and is responsible for strategic growth and initiative planning for the program.

• Legal Work: Provide legal representation and dispute resolution for DSHS benefits clients including interviewing, investigation, review of case files, preparation of witnesses, settlement negotiation and administrative hearing representation. Research, write and file appeals with the Board of Appeals and King County Superior Court on behalf of clients as needed.
• Supervision: Hire, train, supervise, and evaluate Benefits Legal Assistance staff including Benefits Attorneys and law student interns and pro bono attorney volunteers. Direct and supervise Attorneys' caseloads and provide on-going support and professional development opportunities. Provide leadership, oversight and support to facilitate day-to-day operations and delivery of services within the program. Conduct weekly staff meetings to review files and documentation. Monitor State Work Study intern program with Seattle University School of Law and University of Washington Law School. Provide necessary support through regular staff meetings and identify and schedule trainings and workshops to enhance skills.
• Leadership: Develop program policies and procedures to ensure quality service and contractual compliance. Work with staff and contractors to ensure accomplishment of program goals and objectives. Prepare annual Benefits Legal Assistance Program budget and negotiate multiple fund source contracts for the program. Work with funders to prepare, complete and submit reports required by Federal, State, City and private funding sources and monitor the data collected to ensure contract compliance.
• Advocacy: Monitor administrative rulemaking and draft rule comments. Support and engage in legislative advocacy related to basic needs programs.
• Client Work: Provide information and legal advice regarding public assistance programs to callers and walk-in clients. Make referrals to other community resources including food programs, employment resources, government agencies and other legal services providers. Instruct and provide materials to clients who proceed without representation.
• Community Outreach: Conduct client outreach and community trainings, including providing information and advice to other community and legal service programs. Develop and foster collaborations with other legal and social service providers. Prepare fact sheets, referral information and other materials for trainings and for the use of other agencies and clients.
• Records: Maintain and monitor internal record keeping systems including client files, intakes, client logs, closing memoranda. Prepare monthly statistical reports and other outcome documentation for program reports.
• Community Involvement: Represent Solid Ground and provide leadership and expertise on regional committees, coalitions and task forces relating to public benefits issues and clients, including state and county public benefits meetings. Participate in program, department and agency-wide meetings and committees as required.

The duties listed above are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position.