DESCRIPTION

Florida Rural Legal Services, Inc. (FRLS) is a non-profit law firm that provides free civil legal aid to eligible individuals, families, and vulnerable communities across 13 Florida counties, as well as to farmworkers statewide. Since 1966, FRLS has been dedicated to justice, offering legal services in housing law, family law, consumer protection, public benefits, elder law, disaster relief, education law, tax advocacy, and more—at no cost to our clients. FRLS partners with community organizations and pro bono attorneys to provide quality advocacy, outreach, and education aimed at protecting the rights of those in need. For over 50 years, FRLS has been a steadfast advocate for justice. Learn more at www.FRLS.org.
The purpose of this position is to support the coordination of the LSC 2022 Disaster Supplemental Appropriation Project engaged in by Florida Rural Legal Services, Inc. (FRLS), by implementing project plans and coordinating resources to ensure the successful implementation of the project to support FRLS disaster response efforts stemming from Hurricane Ian.
FRLS Disaster Recovery project for Hurricane Ian survivors provides no-cost comprehensive legal services and community outreach to help low-income individuals and households during their disaster recovery. Legal services to be provided include but are not limited to foreclosures; bankruptcies; flood insurance; proof of loss preparation and FEMA Flood Directorate Appeals; FEMA recoupment defense; applications for disaster tax relief; civil and disability rights cases; legal counsel for community-based organizations on rebuilding plans; litigation to redress systemic disaster response problems; landlord/tenant issues concerning repair issues, non-repair, mold concealment, etc.; disputes regarding home elevation certificates and flood plain zoning; disputes regarding significant damage determination against homeowners; and family and education issues. FRLS will take a holistic approach and offer all legal aid services that are available to individual household needs.
The Disaster Project Manager will prepare the plan, establish procedures, mobilize resources, and oversee the framework of outreach, training, and response for FRLS’s hardest hit areas and Immokalee, which serves Florida’s statewide farmworkers. The Disaster Project Manager will prepare the disaster response and management plan to include measures to provide disaster-related legal services safely to our clients who remain impacted by Hurricane Ian’s devastation.

REQUIREMENTS

1. Demonstrated commitment to service on behalf of people in poverty and appreciation for the importance of the legal system, commitment to the mission of FRLS and compassion for the clients.
2. Bachelor’s Degree in relevant subject areas, or significant field and practical experience.
3. Demonstrated experience managing diverse projects to range from infrastructure projects to personnel deployment and efficient and effective use of resources.
4. Excellent organizational skills.
5. A high level of comfort with technology and systems design.
6. Ability to evaluate and analyze varied proposals/solutions to improve business processes, including the ability to efficiently and effectively maximize the use of existing resources.
7. Ability to work collaboratively and independently.
8. Working knowledge of Microsoft Suite (Word, Excel, and PowerPoint) and Legal Server software.
9. Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, with multiple audiences, including peers, supervisors, clients, and the public.
10. Must be able to effectively work in high-pressure situations which involve deadlines.
11. Ability to work with diverse groups of people
12. Ability to travel to various job sites throughout FRLS’s service areas.
13. Ability to work flexible hours of the day, Monday through Friday, with some weekends, depending on the needs of the agency.
14. Preferred but not required:
    a. Experience in a disaster related legal services or legal service-public interest environment or other similar public interest environment.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

1. Must be able to drive a vehicle.
2. Must be able to take clear written notes and type (for data entry purposes).
3. Must be able to lift boxes, equipment, and other items on occasion.