Team Manager | Environmental Justice

Team Manager | Environmental Justice
TRLA SERVICE AREA

Texas RioGrande Legal Aid (TRLA) seeks an attorney to serve as Team Manager for the Environmental Justice Team. This role offers a unique opportunity to lead efforts in representing low-income communities impacted by environmental issues, aiming to improve their health and safety through legal advocacy, education, and outreach.

Team Overview:

The Environmental Justice Team at TRLA focuses on various activities and services to support low-income communities, including:

Representing clients before administrative agencies that regulate polluting industries.

Prosecuting “citizen suits” to enforce federal environmental laws.

Addressing nuisances such as odors, dust, or noise that impact TRLA clients.

Promoting the enforcement of environmental laws in low-income minority communities disproportionately affected by pollution.

Representing clients at contested case hearings on air, water, or solid waste permits before the TCEQ or the Railroad Commission of Texas.

Filing citizen suits under the Clean Water Act, Clean Air Act, and Safe Drinking Water Act.

Filing administrative complaints under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act.

Pursuing state court suits for nuisance.

Educating communities about making environmental complaints and their rights under environmental and civil rights laws.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities:

The Team Manager will oversee the direction and smooth functioning of the Environmental Justice Team. Key duties include:

Supervision and Case Management:

Supervise legal work and perform spot checks and case reviews.

Schedule and assign Duty Attorney tasks to ensure continuous intake review and case disposition.

Regularly review intake disposition decisions for equitable treatment and consistency with TRLA policies.

Approve Tier Approval Litigation Requests and litigation expenses up to $500 per case.

Ensure quality and timeliness of legal work through regular case reviews.

Compliance and Communication:

Enforce compliance with funding regulations and program policies.

Maintain communication among team members on case developments and legal updates.

Coordinate continuing legal education and community outreach activities.

Policy and Procedure Implementation:

Identify cases and clients that may not access the intake system easily, ensuring equal access to program resources.

Develop and implement improvements to the client tracking system.

Monitor and review changes in laws, coordinating forums for review.

Team Management:

Prepare and submit annual reports of team activities.

Implement policies and procedures from the Board of Directors and Executive Director.

Approve leave requests and coordinate with branch managers.

Participate in recruitment, hiring, disciplining, and terminating team members as needed.

Address client grievances and team member complaints.

Approve training and travel requests related to casework.

Maintain public relations with the bar, community, and client organizations, representing TRLA appropriately.

Take necessary actions to leverage team resources effectively for client legal issues.

Compensation and Benefits:

Salary is commensurate with experience and includes an excellent fringe benefits package, including law school loan repayment, generous paid leave, healthcare insurance, a retirement plan, and training & travel stipends.

TRLA IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

At TRLA, we are committed to offering fair and equal employment opportunities to all job applicants and employees. We strictly prohibit any form of discrimination and harassment of any type based on race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.