What are the responsibilities and job description for the Staff Attorney position at Make the Road New York?
Job Description
Job Description
Make the Road New York (MRNY) builds the power of immigrant and working-class communities to achieve dignity and justice through organizing, policy innovation, transformative education, and survival services. Make the Road New York operates community centers in Bushwick, Brooklyn; Jackson Heights, Queens; Port Richmond, Staten Island; Brentwood, Long Island and White Plains, Westchester County. With a membership of 27,000, MRNY tackles the critical issues facing our communities, including workplace justice, tenants’ rights, immigrant rights and civil rights, TGNCIQ justice, public education, health care access, and immigration reform. (TGNCIQ = transgender, gender non-conforming, intersex and queer). MRNY is a newly unionized workplace.
MRNY is a multi-service organization. Our member-led organizing committees which work on the issues named above implement strategies to combat shared problems, and develop leadership and the capacity for civic participation. We also provide an array of high-quality bilingual services : We offer English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL), Spanish-language literacy, computer literacy, citizenship preparation, and in-school and after-school youth programs. We have a robust legal program that offers direct representation across a spectrum of practice areas, including employment law, immigration law, housing and benefits, and TGNCIQ civil rights; we also take on impact litigation as a strategy for achieving broad change. Our health program offers facilitated enrollment into health insurance programs and SNAP benefits, a community health worker home visit program, nutrition education and emergency food pantries, health care navigation, and more."
Current Opening :
MRNY seeks a bilingual (Spanish & English), highly motivated, organized, and dedicated employment law attorney to join our Workplace Justice legal team. The position is full-time and will be based in our Corona, Queens office. Our team currently includes 4 other experienced employment attorneys and 3 paralegals who handle a wide range of employment-related legal matters facing our community members, including wage theft, employment discrimination, paid sick leave, retaliation, paid family leave and health and safety issues on the job. Our Workplace Justice legal team collaborates closely with and provides strategic support on worker organizing campaigns to improve and enforce labor standards at the city and state levels
Key Responsibilities but not limited to :
- Handle an employment law caseload that involves a range of legal representation and advocacy, from direct negotiation and resolution of cases, filing administrative claims, to multi-plaintiff federal court litigation
- Work closely with MRNY members and organizers to envision and implement strategic affirmative litigation projects and leverage other strategies that strengthen MRNY's worker organizing
- Support MRNY members and organizing campaigns through strategic litigation, legislative advocacy, research and action support
- Work with MRNY organizers and other partners to support campaigns, provide legal clinics and facilitate know-your-rights workshops in both English and Spanish
- Participate in legal team and organization wide meetings
- Maintain case data and cooperate with reporting requirements
Requirements :
Eligible to work in the US
Required to be fully vaccinated with an FDA approved COVID-19 vaccine prior to first day of employment
Admission (or eligibility for admission) to practice law in New York State or the possibility of waiving into the state
Fluency in the Spanish language
Demonstrated commitment to social, racial and economic justice and an understanding of the challenges facing low-wage workers, immigrant communities, and communities of color
Ability to work in a fast-paced, high-energy environment
Interpersonal and organizational skills of the highest caliber
Job Competencies :
Salary and Benefits :
MRNY offers an excellent benefit package including health insurance, 401K, and generous paid vacation, sick, personal days. The salary range for this position is from $75,000 to $89,000.
How to Apply : Please attach your resume and cover letter and submit all documents to the Make the Road New York career center.
Make the Road believes that social change is best achieved through grassroots community-based organizing that flows directly from and engages the community demanding the change. As a membership-based organization, we are committed to providing equal employment opportunities regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity, criminal history, or Veteran status. We strongly encourage those from historically excluded groups to apply.
Salary : $75,000 - $89,000
