Overview

Neighborhood Defender Service of Texas (NDS) is initiating a new legal services office, providing free, community-based, client-centered, holistic housing defense representation to low-income residents of Harris County. NDS clients are represented by multidisciplinary teams including attorneys, advocates and team administrators. NDS is accepting applications for a Client Advocate for the Housing Defense Team. NDS adheres to a client-centered approach to representation that emphasizes a heightened responsiveness to clients’ needs.

The Housing Defense Team plays an integral role in NDS’s fulfillment of its holistic mission and in realizing the right to counsel in housing proceedings. The team is part of the monumental movement toward a civil Gideon, providing assigned counsel representation to low- and no-income tenants facing a wide range of eviction proceedings in order to safeguard the right to secure, stable housing and combat the destabilization and disintegration of Harris County’s diverse communities. The Client Advocate is responsible for supporting the Housing Defense Team’s work and its clients. 

Responsibilities

• Work as part of an interdisciplinary team to provide excellent, client-centered representation and support individual tenants facing eviction and housing insecurity from intake through case resolution
• Conduct client intake and screen for representation;
• Provide advice and counsel, informal advocacy and other brief services to clients in housing- related matters;
• Advocate for clients to access and obtain benefits, subsidies and other services to resolve Housing Court proceedings;
• Demonstrate energy, enthusiasm and ingenuity in working on challenging cases as assigned by supervisors;
• Represent NDS at Coalition meetings and community-based initiatives on housing issues on an as-needed basis.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree;
• At least one year of experience working with low-income tenants or with Harris County benefits agencies preferred, though exceptional inexperienced candidates will also be considered;
• A demonstrated commitment to social justice issues and experience working with individuals of diverse backgrounds;
• Excellent written and oral communication skills;
• Excellent organizational skills, including the ability to manage a diverse caseload;
• Must be able to travel throughout Harris County to the various courts, administrative agencies and to client appointments;
• Must be able to work cooperatively with attorneys and other NDS advocates, and problem-solve independently;
• Fluency in Spanish is required. 

Compensation is commensurate with experience and is in adherence to the NDS compensation scale. Exceptional benefits package includes full medical and dental for employee and family, retirement, life and AD&D insurance, paid vacation, holiday, and sick time.

HOW TO APPLYInterested applicants should upload a cover letter and resume. For more information about NDS, please visit our website at www.neighborhooddefender.org.

The Neighborhood Defender Service is committed to creating a diverse environment that reflects the community we serve. NDS is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status. NDS encourages people with incarcerated loved ones, formerly incarcerated people, people of color, women, queer, transgender, gender non-conforming, and gender fluid people to apply.

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