The Position: The Massachusetts Law Reform Institute (MLRI) seeks a full-time Project Assistant to for the COVID Eviction Legal Help Project (“CELH”), a new and innovative statewide initiative that will provide access to legal representation for low-income tenants and owners-occupants in eviction proceedings with the goal of stabilizing people’s housing. The Project Assistant will provide a range administrative support to an MLRI team that includes a Director, Project Manager, and Outreach and Communications Coordinator. The Project Assistant will report directly to MLRI’s CELH Project Director.

About 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. Visit www.mlri.org

About the Project: The COVID Eviction Legal Help Project, starting imminently, expands the capacity of existing legal aid organizations and pro bono resources in Massachusetts to respond to the increased eviction filings with the ending of the Massachusetts eviction moratorium. As part of the CELH Program teams of paralegals and lawyers will be hired by local legal aid programs and guided by a local supervising attorney to provide support and legal representation at different stages of the eviction process. MLRI will be responsible for implementation, support, outreach, trainings, and coordination of stakeholders for the legal services component of the project, including organizations providing pre-court housing stability support, courts, and community partners.

Job Responsibilities

• Scheduling and organizing daily calls and meetings for the project team
• Attending CELH-related meetings and taking/distributing meeting notes
• Assisting with copying editing and proofing of written materials
• Responding, under the direction of staff, to and directing inquiries from the general public and external organizations
• Provide advanced communications support (e.g., screening phone calls, faxes, mail, and email) and determining appropriate action in response to inquiries
• Supporting and coordinating planning and logistics for live and virtual trainings events
• Maintaining contact and other shared information for the team
• Performing other administrative duties as necessary to support program and CELH staff 

 Desired Experience & Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required
• Very strong organizational skills, attention to detail and adeptness at prioritizing tasks. § Ability to multi-task and manage multiple deadlines and complex scheduling.
• Experience as a project administrator or administrative assistant preferred.
• Tech savvy with high-level knowledge of MS Office suite, especially Microsoft Word, Excel, Power Point
• Ability to speak Spanish strongly preferred
• Ability to work both independently and in a team environment
• Demonstrated experience working with legal aid, community groups, housing organizations and/or low-income and vulnerable communities

Position will be a temporary, full-time position until June 31, 2021, with the prospect of being extended through March 31, 2022 based on appropriation of funding. Competitive salary based on experience and generous benefits including health, dental, vision, life and disability insurance, 403(b) plan, as well as vacation, paid holidays, and family leave.

MLRI’s Commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

MLRI is an equal opportunity employer. We value a diverse workforce and an inclusive culture. We believe that having a staff, board, and volunteers with diverse personal and professional backgrounds and lived experience enhances our ability to meet our mission and creates an environment where all members of our community can thrive. We strongly encourage applications from people of color, immigrants, women, persons with disabilities, members of the LGBTQ community, people with lived experience of poverty and/or racism, and people from underrepresented and historically marginalized groups.