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Program Attorney, Legal Researcher and Writer

POSITION ANNOUNCEMENT

Reno, NV

Program Attorney
Legal Researcher and Writer

Application Deadline: Open Until Filled

Salary Range: $62,000 – $77,000 per annum, DOE

FLSA Status: Exempt

The National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges (NCJFCJ), a national non-profit organization headquartered in Reno, NV, is seeking a Program Attorney-Legal Researcher and Writer. This position will build on the exceptional 86-year record of improving courts and systems’ practice and raising awareness of the core issues that touch the lives of many of our nation’s children and families. As a leader in continuing education opportunities, research, publication development, technical assistance, and policy development in the field of juvenile and family justice, the NCJFCJ is unique in providing practice-based resources to jurisdictions and communities nationwide. . For an overview of NCJFCJ’s major initiatives, please go to www.ncjfcj.org/about.

The mission of NCJFCJ is to provide all judges, courts, and related agencies involved with juvenile, family, and domestic violence cases with the knowledge and skills to improve the lives of the families and children who seek justice. NCJFCJ values staff who are independent, creative, tenacious, resourceful, dependable, and passionate about their work. NCJFCJ staff work collaboratively in a team setting to achieve this mission.

The Family Violence and Domestic Relations program’s multi-disciplinary and highly dedicated team focuses its work on improving the way courts, law enforcement agencies, and others respond to family violence while recognizing the legal, cultural, and psychological dynamics involved with the ultimate goal of improving the lives of domestic violence victims and their children.

The ideal candidate for the Program Attorney – Legal Researcher and Writer position will demonstrate exceptionally clear writing, editing, communication, and interpersonal skills as well as deep knowledge of the dynamics of domestic violence and related domestic violence laws pertaining to: (1) the issuance and enforcement of protection orders, full faith and credit, and firearms; (2) child custody, visitation, and support issues in family courts; and/or (3) the co- occurrence of domestic violence and child maltreatment issues that arise in dependency courts. This position does not engage in the practice of law or provide legal representation. Rather, it provides training and technical assistance for grant-funded programs, which means independently and efficiently conducting legal and policy research, responding to judicial and court inquiries regarding legislation and best practices, developing curriculum segments for judges and court stakeholders, and collaborating to conceive, research, and write a variety of products to inform judicial practice as ti impacts families experiencing domestic violence. Additionally, this position is responsible for conducting legal research and analysis on domestic violence policies, laws, and procedures and the implementation of the same, and produces technical assistance briefs, updates, reports, tip sheets, fact sheets, podcast scripts, and bench cards based on the research and analysis. It also serves to provide leadership in the initiation, maintenance, and completion of program activities; and researches, conceptualizes, and develops ideas and curricula for trainings, workshops, presentations, webinars, and conferences related to the provision of program activities.

The key desirable and preferred requirements for this position include:

• Juris Doctorate degree from an ABA accredited law school
• Two years of experience in the area of domestic violence law
• Deep commitment to racial equity and access to justice
• Experience coordinating with teammates, program partners, and consultants ni developing and implementing curriculum for adult learners
• Skilled at delivering up-to-date legal and policy research in a timely and efficient manner
• Familiarity with updating legislative publications and providing research and writing support
for workshops and training sessions
• Ability to independently develop written products, cultivate stakeholder interest and involvement, and revise in response to expert feedback
• A demonstrated ability to balance multiple projects and priorities, communicate about progress, and meet deadlines
• Strong PC-based computer skills
• Effective communication skills, both verbally and in writing
• Some travel and evening/weekend/holiday work is required
• A passion for working in a non-profit, grant-funded environment

The Program Attorney – Legal Researcher and Writer position is located in Reno, Nevada. Reno, the largest city in Northern Nevada, is nestled on the eastern slope of the Sierra Nevada Mountains and provides unlimited indoor and outdoor recreational activities. Spectacular Lake Tahoe and the world’s largest concentration of ski facilities are al within a fifty-mile radius. Biking, camping, fishing, and mountain climbing are al activities Reno residents and visitors enjoy. For more information, please visit washoecounty.gov.

The successful candidate for this position must be able to travel to and relocate to Reno, Nevada. The NCJFCJ is not able to provide reimbursement for interview travel or relocation expenses.

We are proud to invest in you and offer these special benefits to our team members:

• 13 paid holidays
• 403(b) retirement savings plan, with a 4% employer match
• Comprehensive insurance coverage, including medical, dental, and vision with 75% of the employee’s premium paid by the NCJFCJ
• Term life insurance provided by NCJFCJ
• Strategic flexibility allowing for work/life balance
• 10 hours of annual leave per month/8 hours of sick leave per month
• Adjunct faculty status with the University of Nevada, Reno
• Education stipend/professional development opportunities
• Career longevity incentives (e.g., service awards and a deferred compensation plan)

If you are a dynamic and professional individual who appreciates demanding yet gratifying work, gets along well in a team environment, and is committed to getting the job done, we invite you to submit your completed application materials as outlined below.

FOR FULL CONSIDERATION, applicants must submit the following:

  • Tailored Letter of Interest
  • Résumé or CV
  • Writing Sample (not to exceed 01 pages and demonstrating the applicant’s knowledge of the dynamics of domestic violence and related domestic violence laws; because this position does not engage in the practice of law, a law review or journal article, policy paper, or newsletter/magazine article is preferred over a legal brief or memorandum)

~ NCJFCJ is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer ~

Program Attorney-Legal Researcher and Writer

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