Migrant Farmworker Advocacy Director

JOB OVERVIEW

Florida Rural Legal Services, Inc. provides free legal assistance to low-income clients in 13 counties and to migrant farm workers throughout the State of Florida. Our agency has been in existence since 1966. The purpose of this position is to provide services to migrant farmworkers and their families through the State of Florida, concentrating primarily on legal issues involving employment, housing, public benefit, and civil rights. The Migrant Farmworker Advocacy Director will ensure that FRLS Migrant Department is staffed to manage and facilitate the services needed for the state of Florida.

The Migrant Farmworker Advocacy Director will report directly to the Deputy Director.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Leads a team that provides comprehensive legal services to farmworker clients with agricultural, employment and housing law related matters, including unemployment, wage theft, discrimination, housing, labor-based U-visas, and labor trafficking.
• Co-counsel cases across Florida and other States;
• Leads community outreach throughout Florida and other States;
• Trains staff on identifying the legal needs of farmworker clients;
• Leads, directs, and increases litigation efforts in the Migrant Farmworker’s unit;
• Develops a strategic advocacy plan for the Migrant Farmworker’s unit;
• Ensures appropriate referrals are provided to outside agencies;
• Attends trainings and maintains up-to-date knowledge of current legal issues surrounding farmworker law and related law;
• Develops, trains and supervises Migrant Farmworkers’ unit staff;
• Supervises law student interns;
• Interviews, certifies eligibility, and identifies the legal problems of FRLS clients within a specific area of law and provides clients with appropriate legal assistance in the form of advice, referrals, and actual representation;
• Coordinates, directs, and manages outreach for the unit;
• Represents clients in court and before administrative agencies, including investigation, witness preparation, pre and post hearing written arguments, conduct the hearing and related activities.
• Provides documentation, statistical information and other records as required by Deputy Director or Executive Director;
• Facilitates case acceptance meetings;
• Participates in trainings and conducts trainings;
• Adheres to office hours, exhibits a strong work ethic and excellent time management skills, communicates, and treats clients and staff with courtesy and respect, provides constructive feedback to staff on cases discussed;
• Serves as a role model to support staff by promoting the values of hard work, high quality advocacy and treating others with courtesy and respect;
• Promotes accessibility of the local office(s) to clients, including rural clients, non-English speaking clients and clients with disabilities;
• Promotes good relations with public, including client groups, service providers, press, and private bar, attending/speaking at local meetings as appropriate and approved by the Deputy Director and/or Executive Director.
• Familiar with requirements of LSC and other funders, and adheres to those policies and requirements;
• Other duties as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE/SKILLS/ABILITIES

1. Barred in Florida required.
2. Juris Doctorate from an ABA accredited law school.
3. Eight to Ten years of experience representing Migrant and Seasonal Farmworkers.
4. Appreciation of the importance of the legal system, commitment to the mission of FRLS and compassion for the clients.
5. Ability to forge positive relationships with prospects and colleagues.
6. Good organizational, interpersonal and communication skills.
7. Ability to work collaboratively, yet independently.
8. Creativity and ability to maximize the use of existing resources.
9. Working knowledge of Microsoft Suite (Word, Excel and PowerPoint) and Legal Server software.
10. Must be able to effectively communicate with peers, supervisors, clients, and the public.
11. Must be able to effectively work in high pressure situations which involve deadlines.
12. Must be able to work weekends and travel when needed.
13. Familiar with requirements of LSC and other funders and adheres to those policies and requirements.
14. Knowledgeable of State and Federal court procedures required.
15. Fluency in Spanish preferred.

WORKING CONDITIONS

This position operates in a professional office environment.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

1. This is a largely sedentary role; however, some lifting of office supplies up to 20 pounds may be required.
2. Some travel required.

REPORTS

1. Annual priority setting report.
2. Monthly progress reports.
3. Grant Reporting and Compliance Reports.

DIRECT REPORTS

Migrant Farm Workers Unit Managing Attorney.

EEOC Statement:

Florida Rural Legal Services, Inc., does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service, or other characteristic protected by federal, state of local law.