Director of Legal Services

POSITION TITLE: Director of Legal Services

DEPARTMENT: Support Services

REPORTS TO: SVP Support Services

SALARY: $90,000 - $110,000 annually

LOCATION: Hybrid - Based at 41st Shelter Site

Join a Legacy of Hope and Empowerment at Covenant House New York!

For over 50 years, Covenant House New York (CHNY) has been at the forefront of transforming lives by providing comprehensive shelter, housing, and wrap-around support services for vulnerable homeless, runaway, and exploited youth. As the largest provider of these essential services in New York City, CHNY impacts the lives of over 1,500 young people aged 16-24 every year.

At CHNY, our doors are open to all young people in need, regardless of race, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, and expression. Our dedicated team offers various services, including shelter, housing, education, employment, health, mental health support, youth development, and anti-human trafficking initiatives. We operate with harm reduction and trauma-informed principles to ensure the best care for our youth.

But our mission goes beyond immediate support. We are passionate advocates for systemic change, influencing public policy, and raising awareness of the critical issues surrounding youth homelessness. Our ultimate goal is to provide a safe refuge and empower young people to build a brighter future founded on compassion, unconditional love, and absolute respect.

The Covenant House New York Legal Department is situated within our Manhattan crisis shelter, which houses up to 120 vulnerable yet resilient youth. These young people need fierce advocates to help them navigate their legal issues and other concerns as they work to forge a new path for themselves. This work is both challenging and fulfilling.

Join us in making a difference in the lives of countless young people. Join a team that inspires long-term transformation and hope.

Job Summary

The Director of Legal Services will provide department administration and staff supervision for the legal services arm of the Support Services Division. The Director will oversee the activities and review the work of the legal department and supervision of Staff Attorney(s), legal case manager(s), paralegal(s), department volunteers, and administrative support staff assigned to the legal services department.

The Director and his team will support and represent youth, typically between the ages of 16 to 24, in a wide range of areas, including immigration, family law, housing, employment, public assistance, name changes, and the collateral consequences of criminal conviction, among others. Prior experience/familiarity in immigration, family, or criminal law would be beneficial for this position. The Director will provide oversight to ensure all legal services and the guidelines of special funding meet the standards set forth by CHNY's mission and principles and are well integrated throughout all aspects of the program.

The Director of Legal Services will report to the SVP of Support Services. With the support of the SVP, they will assist the agency’s legislative efforts on issues affecting the population of youth, issues such as homelessness, mental health, employment, education, juvenile justice, and more.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Oversee the activities and review the work of the legal department and supervision of the Staff Attorney to ensure services adhere to program standards and are well integrated throughout all aspects of the program

• Meet with and represent clients on selected legal issues (sometimes that will involve taking the case through to the courtroom and in other cases will entail one-time advice and counsel, sometimes directing youth to appropriate resources for assistance)

• Ensure that the Staff Attorney is trained and understands all job functions within their designated units

• Provide general oversight of the legal department, providing legal guidance, advice, and general support

• Prepare Monthly/Quarterly reporting to SVP for program funders

• Offering input on program goals, program design, and evaluations of program activities

• Provide support with recruitment, hiring, and training of non-attorney staff and interns

• Supervise and manage staff performance, including performing case reviews and structured observation

• Conduct staff training on legal issues as needed

• Facilitate Know Your Rights workshops to empower and educate CHNY youth

Qualifications

• J.D. and admitted to practice law in New York State; minimum 5 years of experience

• Litigation experience required

• Demonstrated commitment to public interest law, a mission-driven organization, and service to vulnerable and diverse populations

• Able to work well with diverse staff and youth at various levels of the organization

• Excellent leadership, interpersonal, organizational, analytical, communication and writing skills

• Clear passion for working with and advocating for an underserved homeless youth population

• Independently recognizes and performs duties that need to be done without being directly assigned

• Establishes priorities; organizes work and time to meet them

• Works well independently and can use initiative to problem-solve novel situations

• Recognizes and responds to emerging priorities, accepts changes and new ideas

• Expresses comfortability working with a transient, homeless youth population

• Has insight into problems and the ability to develop workable alternatives

• Responds to supervision, coaching, and constructive criticism in a positive manner.

Benefits

Covenant House New York offers a rich package of benefits including but not limited to:

• Medical

• Vision

• Dental

• Life & Supplemental Life Insurance

• Short and Long-term disability insurance

• Eligibility for medical benefits begins on the date of hire

• PTO includes 3 weeks of vacation in the first year, 10 holidays, 13 sick days, 5 personal days, and birthday days off

• 403b with employer contribution after 12 months

Covenant House New York is an equal-opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

We believe that diverse perspectives drive innovation, and we are dedicated to providing a work environment free from discrimination and harassment where everyone feels respected and valued. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, you may contact us at deptpeopleandculture@covenanthouse.org