Project Coordinator (Non-Attorney)

Job Title:                       Project Coordinator (Non-Attorney) 

FLSA Classification:    Exempt  

Reports To:                   Managing Attorney / Pro Bono Director 

Compensation:            $68,000.00 to $79,550.38 Annually, DOE + Benefits 

Inland Counties Legal Services (ICLS) is seeking a Project Coordinator to join its Pro Bono Team to provide legal support to and support the coordination of ICLS’ Pro Bono Programs and Student Programs, which serve to expand ICLS’s capacity to serve clients and help educate future generations of lawyers and legal advocates.  ICLS is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization providing free legal services to people of limited means residing in Riverside and San Bernardino counties. ICLS targets services to seniors and those in the greatest social and economic need. ICLS provides legal assistance in eight practice groups: Elder, Family Law, Consumer, Housing, Immigration, Systemic & Impact Litigation, Health Law, and Public Benefits & Education; and a Pro Bono Program, operating volunteer-enhanced client programs, including Small Business & Nonprofit, Expungement, LGBTQ+ Services, Guardianship, Disaster Preparation & Response, and Student Programs, among others. Visit our website at www.inlandlegal.org for more information. 

Overview of Position & Responsibilities

The core responsibilities for the Project Coordinator position are as follows: 

Project Coordination

The Project Coordinator will work with the Pro Bono Team, and specifically Managing Attorneys and Pro Bono Director, to help refine and implement the vision of ICLS’ Pro Bono Programs, including but not limited to student programs, clinics, location programs, and other needs. They will be cross trained in all aspects of each clinic ICLS offers. 

• Managing and coordinating pro bono clinics and other operations for specified ICLS’ Pro Bono Projects, including volunteer recruitment and training, client outreach and screening, preparation of clinic materials, and other clinic logistics. 

• Developing and implementing strategies and procedures to identify opportunities to incorporate attorneys, paralegals, and other volunteers throughout ICLS. 

• Supporting creation of new projects with support of Pro Bono Team, and in partnership with ICLS’s other Practice Groups, including; client outreach, community education, volunteer relationships and training, and pro bono case management. 

• Supporting development of expanding ICLS’ student programs, including assisting in the development of a strategic plan for building partnerships with law schools and universities, aimed at cultivating stronger community ties and expanded services, assisting in grant applications, and representing ICLS in the broader community as a leader for Law Student Programs. 

• Speaking at outreach events and legal workshops/clinics, including occasional travel to and from rural areas of San Bernardino and Riverside Counties. 

• Developing and implementing strategies for building partnerships with community partners, aimed at cultivating stronger community ties and expanded services. 

• Maintaining professional relationships with private firms while understanding their expectations to ensure that the volunteer process is as easy as possible.  

• Assisting with volunteer onboarding, training, case management as appropriate, collecting hours, enforcing policies and procedures involving project volunteers, and collaborating with advocates at ICLS as needed. 

• Focusing on the day-to-day running of projects and administrative functions of clinics/projects. 

Legal Support 

The Project Coordinator will work with the Pro Bono Team on: 

• Preparing and/or coordinating volunteers to prepare legal forms, pleadings, memoranda and other documents as required to support specified Pro Bono Projects. 

• Maintaining regular communication with clients receiving services through ICLS’ Pro Bono Projects, including conducting telephone, online, and in-person interviews of applicants and clients and coordinating client meetings, clinics, and other events. 

• Assisting with case management, including case compliance, reports, and data collection. 

• Ensuring that all clients are scheduled as needed. 

• Ensuring that volunteer attorneys are scheduled as needed. 

• Conduct outreach if necessary. 

• Prepare drafts and legal documents for attorneys to review. 

• Coordinate meetings. 

• Possible documentation filing. 

• Meet with clients and potentially conduct intakes/screen for eligibility. 

Education, Skills, and Experience

An ideal candidate will have the following qualifications and experience:  

• Bachelor's or Associate Degree (required); 

• 3–5 years of relevant professional experience, including at least 2 years of experience in the preparation of legal documents and/or legal advocacy (required);  

• Demonstrated leadership, presentation, and organization skills (required); and 

• At least 1–2 years of experience working on or coordinating pro bono, volunteer, public interest or community service initiatives (required); and

• At least 1–2 years of project coordination or management experience (preferred);  

• A combination of the experience and skills described below. 

Project Coordination Experience: 

• Strong project management skills, including organization and ability to multi-task  

• Ability to work independently and as part of a team 

• Ability to lead and collaborate with a broad range of stakeholders 

• Strong analytical, organizational, communication skills; ability to advocate persuasively for the program mission 

• Ability to travel to community events in ICLS's service area 

• Ability to participate in events outside of regular work hours 

• Microsoft Word, Outlook, Excel, and PowerPoint proficiency 

Pro Bono/Volunteer Systems Experience: 

• Background in coordinating pro bono work and/or student programs preferred but not required 

• Basic understanding of volunteer “systems” in California (i.e., the manner in which private law attorneys are connected to low-income clients) 

• Ability to communicate effectively with, oversee, and/or mentor volunteers, as appropriate 

• Ability to cultivate and develop pro bono and professional relationships 

Legal Support Experience 

• Knowledge of legal processes and procedures 

• Experience preparing legal forms, pleadings, declarations, or other legal documents 

• Ability to read, write, and communicate in English, with Spanish being a plus 

• Demonstrated commitment to legal services work 

• Demonstrated commitment to equal access to justice 

We recognize that relevant experience can take many forms. Unless otherwise indicated, the listed experience and skills are strongly preferred and will be used as guidelines.  Different types of experience may be weighed differently depending on the overall application.  If you don’t meet every requirement exactly but believe you bring strong qualifications to the role, we encourage you to apply. 

Inland Counties Legal Services provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws and regulations. Selections for employment or promotion are made solely on the basis of merit as identified through work experience and education.  This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.  The recognition of our common humanity is the first step in fostering an inclusive environment. Our unique stories and experiences allow us to better solve the challenges that our community faces with the recognition that the sum of our unique differences is greater than our individual parts. Staff approach professional relationships with humility and a desire to have a positive impact on the community we serve.