We are seeking an energetic self-starter to join our team as the Director of the Massachusetts Legal Aid Websites Project. This is a unique professional opportunity for someone who is interested in advancing the role of technology to further access to justice for low- and moderate-income people in Massachusetts.
About the Massachusetts Legal Aid Websites Project and MLRI:
The Massachusetts Legal Aid Websites Project uses technology to provide easy-to-understand, free legal resources to low-income people in need of legal help. It also supports a wide network of legal aid, poverty law and pro bono advocates. We operate a number of websites including MassLegalHelp.org, MassLegalServices.org, MassLRF.org. MassProBono.org and MassLAO.org. We are also engaged in other access to justice through technology initiatives. The Websites Project is located at the Massachusetts Law Reform Institute (MLRI).
Founded in 1968, MLRI is a nationally recognized nonprofit poverty law and policy center that provides statewide advocacy and leadership in advancing laws, policies, and practices that secure economic, racial, and social justice for low-income people and communities. We pursue systems change through litigation, legislative and administrative advocacy, coalition building, community lawyering, and other strategies that address systemic harm to low-income people.
MLRI is also the statewide multi-issue poverty law support center for the Massachusetts civil legal aid delivery system; our advocates provide substantive expertise and technical assistance to frontline legal aid field program advocates and to many other advocates and providers who serve low-income people and communities in Massachusetts. See www.mlri.org
Responsibilities:
Program leadership
● Lead strategic direction and goal setting to maintain and expand the Websites Project’s role as a key legal technology and legal information resource for Massachusetts residents and the legal services community statewide.
● Spearhead the development of new initiatives that leverage Websites Project’s resources and related technology innovations, including Artificial Intelligence and document assembly, to increase access to justice in Massachusetts.
● Lead strategic communications and outreach activities to grow awareness and usage of the Websites Project’s resources and services among key stakeholders. Build relationships with broader justice community stakeholders, including legal aid practitioners, the courts, bar associations, law schools, and non-legal institutions such as public libraries, educators and social workers, to advance outreach and collaboration strategies.
● Support the other Websites Project team members in ongoing development and maintenance of the Websites Project’s websites, and participate directly in these activities as needed, including:
○ Content development
○ Technical and design enhancements
○ Community outreach and communications
○ Website evaluation and data collection and analysis
○ Engaging with site editors and legal aid program administrators
○ Working with external technology vendors and consultants
● Participate in statewide and national legal aid and technology networks.
Administration and Fundraising
● Develop and manage the Websites Project budget.
● Manage, supervise and mentor the team of 3 Website Project staff, cultivating a culture of collaboration, innovation, and excellence.
● Oversee management and reporting on program grant and/or contract deliverables.
● Manage contracts with external vendors, such as our technical website developers.
● In coordination with MLRI development staff, engage in fundraising efforts for the Websites Project, including proposal development.
● Oversee program impact evaluation efforts.
This job description is not designed to contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee; others may be assigned.
Qualifications:
● 10 plus years relevant work experience, including management experience. Poverty law and/or nonprofit legal tech experience is strongly preferred.
● Strong knowledge about poverty law issues facing Massachusetts residents. JD preferred but not required.
● Bold and creative thinker with a passion for using technology to promote access to justice.
● Demonstrated experience developing and managing programs and projects that use technology to effectively inform and support members of the public and/or communities of practice. Experience using these technologies to support pro se litigants and legal aid advocates is a plus.
● Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, including listening, public speaking and writing skills.
● Demonstrated ability to lead projects, work well with people, and foster and facilitate collaboration among diverse stakeholders.
● Strengths in managing, developing and coaching individuals or teams.
● Ability to think and act strategically, creatively, and collaboratively.
● Strong self-motivation and initiative required.
● Commitment to MLRI’s mission to serve low-income and vulnerable populations and to advance an anti-racist, community-driven advocacy agenda.
● Web and tech savvy. A strong understanding of content management platforms, UX/UI, analytics platforms, web accessibility and writing in plain language for online audiences, is preferred. Demonstrated experience administering websites and content management systems, particularly Drupal and WordPress, is a plus.
To apply:
To apply, please email a resume and thoughtful cover letter outlining your experience and qualifications to [email protected], with “Websites Project Director” in the subject line.
Application Deadline:
Application materials will be reviewed, and interviews will be scheduled on a rolling basis; interested and qualified candidates are strongly encouraged to submit their application materials as soon as possible.
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