AGENCY OVERVIEW

Northern Manhattan Improvement Corporation (NMIC) is a community-based, not-for-profit organization founded in 1979 that has grown into a leading multiservice agency with a staff of over 100 serving New York City with a focus on upper Manhattan and the Bronx. Our mission is to serve as a catalyst for positive change in the lives of the people in our community on their paths to secure and prosperous futures. Integration is the cornerstone of NMIC’s programs and our staff can identify and address a broad array of immediate needs, integrating numerous crisis intervention services under one roof. With their crises resolved, clients move seamlessly to capacity building services through our holistic programs designed to transition individuals and families from crisis to self-sufficiency.

Our Legal Services, Social Services, and Weatherization programs meet community members’ basic needs including housing, income, and health.
Our Community Organizing program empowers groups of residents to collectively secure longer term and larger scale improvements to their own basic needs.
Our Adult Education & Workforce Development program imparts individual community members with the additional practical tools necessary to build secure and prosperous futures.

POSITION OVERVIEW

NMIC’s Bronx Managing Housing Attorney will oversee the operation of NMIC’s new Bronx office. Requires the management of a team of housing advocates including attorneys, paralegals and organizers. This position also requires advocacy in housing matters including representation in Housing Court, administrative hearings, benefits advocacy, and supreme court and appellate practice with proven creative approaches to affordable housing retention, community stabilization and repair and maintenance issues.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES (Other related duties may be assigned according to need)

Provide legal representation and advocacy to clients with housing issues including Housing Court representation, administrative hearings, supreme court and appellate litigation.
Participate in community based initiatives on housing issues.
Provide housing court litigation inclusive of trial representation.
Provide clients with benefits advocacy.
Provide creative approaches to affordable housing retention.
Maintain daily and consistent case note updates in NMIC’s proprietary database system.
Organize and maintain client files in compliance with grant requirements.
Work with Community Organizing or Social Services Department on and provide representation in possible group or class action cases.
Create and oversee the coverage of a Bronx housing hotline.
Excellent interpersonal skills, including the ability to work collaboratively and to interact with constituencies including clients, program staff and management.

QUALIFICATIONS

J.D. Law Degree/LL.B. with admission to the New York State Bar (pending admission candidates will be considered).
At least 5-8 years relative housing and court experience preferred.
Non-profit housing work experience preferred.
Fluency in Spanish strongly preferred.
Excellent written and oral communication skills.
Proficiency with word processing, spreadsheet and database programs.
Ability to work independently, assess priorities, take initiative, handle multiple assignments and meet deadlines.
Management or supervision experience preferred.
Excellent interpersonal skills, including the ability to work collaboratively and to interact with management and program staff.

NMIC IS AN EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Northern Manhattan Improvement Corporation is an Equal Opportunity Employer and actively encourages candidates of diverse backgrounds to apply for employment. Applicants must meet the minimum requirements in terms of qualifications. An equivalent combination of education and experience will be considered unless specifically stated otherwise.

How to apply

Please send cover letter, resume, writing sample and references to legalemployment@nmic.org. Please label subject line as: B1503 Bronx Managing Housing Attorney Position. Applications will be reviewed and interviews scheduled on a rolling basis.