Project Manager, Bankruptcy and Debtor Rights

SUMMARY

South Texas College of Law Houston seeks a highly qualified candidate, with excellent project management skills, to fill the position of Project Manager II for the Debtor’s Rights Initiative (DRI).  This is a new program within the well-established Randall O. Sorrels Legal Clinics at the law school.  The program seeks to address systemic barriers to economic stability at two inflection points:  collection practices at Justice of the Peace level and federal personal bankruptcy proceedings.  A critical component of this initiative is the design of a model that is transferrable to other non-profit actors and law schools across Texas.   It is a three-year grant-funded position with an end date of October 2027.

An ideal candidate should possess project management and process improvement experience and interpersonal skills to fill the position of Project Manager II (PM) for the DRI to successfully deliver legal services to debtors in Harris County Justice of the Peace Courts. The PM reports to the Senior Director, Legal Services. The PM performs complex project management work and other tasks related to implementing debtor’s rights initiatives. Work involves coordinating the initiation and planning of projects, overseeing the execution of the work to complete project objectives, monitoring the progress & schedule of projects, and communicating with stakeholders, management, and other relevant parties. The PM is responsible for engaging key stakeholders, managing expectations, and maintaining positive relationships with clients, the Court, and opposing counsels, as necessary. The PM must be able to work under general supervision, with moderate latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment, and complete other duties as assigned

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Planning and execution of the project scope within the overall three-year project plan

Managing resources with partners to deliver tasks on time and within budget

Organizing internal reviews to track and control progress against project milestones, identifying issues that need to be addressed, and taking escalation action when necessary

Daily exchange with stakeholders at all levels within the organization and core team to drive the project

Ensuring that project tools and systems are utilized effectively to track completion of detail tasks for various work streams.

Ensuring that all project tasks are documented accordingly

Generating project reports for regular communication to stakeholders

Preparing feedback for the next implementation (Lessons Learned, QA docs, etc.)

Set appointment, manage cases, and communication with interested parties;

Occasionally travel to off-site locations, as needed, to accomplish the above tasks;

Represent the Clinics at partnership or collaborative meetings;

Utilize case management and data aggregation software(s) to:

·       maintain program reports, complete surveys, and enter of statistics data

·       assist with client intake, screening, and document gathering

·       set appointments, organize and track cases, and communicate with clients; and

Perform other duties as assigned.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY

Monitor and supervise the work of student/graduate interns, Clinics staff assigned to the Debtor Rights initiative, and paralegals as directed by the Senior Director, Legal Services.

QUALIFICATIONS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Required

·       Knowledge of Word, Excel, PowerPoint, MS Projects (or equivalent software) and Outlook

·       Experience and knowledge of project management best practice

·       Skill in leading and collaborating with individual and teams to reach shared goals and objectives

·       Skills in developing project management policies and procedures

·       Experience in grant reporting

·       Ability to collaborate and develop professional relationships with internal and external stakeholders

·       Knowledge of project management phases and tools/processes used to deliver project goals

·       Strong verbal and written communication skills that demonstrate the ability to present and communicate information, problems and alternative solutions to a broad range of audiences (the Court, clients, and grant funders)

·       Ability to develop collegial working relationships.

·       Extraordinary attention to detail, solid proofreading skills, ability to multi-task and adhere to project deadlines and adherence to ethical and legal standards.

Preferred

·       Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM) preferred

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE

·       Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university and at lest 2 years of professional experience, preferably with a non-profit

REASONING ABILITY

Ability to define routine problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions to solve routine problems and manage a variety of variables in situations, especially when department head may be out of office or unavailable. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS

PMP or CAMP

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit and talk or hear. The employee is regularly required to stand and walk. Occasional light to moderate lifting from floor level, at waist, and above shoulders required. Infrequent bending and stooping necessary. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision in order to accurately input data and proofread; distance vison in order to recognize and assist visitors to the department.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Fast-paced, multitasking oriented, and non-smoking work environment. Must be able to work the general business schedule of the College ranging from a start time of 9:00 to 5:30, depending on scheduling needs, plus occasional evenings and weekends as necessary.

Application Instructions

Applications must contain a CV or resume and a cover letter describing the applicant’s interest in public interest law and clinical legal education.