Join the Fair Housing Justice Center
The FHJC is an equal opportunity employer. We value a diverse workforce and an inclusive culture and encourage applications from qualified individuals without consideration of race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, national origin, marital status, citizenship, disability, veteran status, record of arrest or conviction, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.
Jobs
POSITION: Intake & Outreach Specialist
ORGANIZATION: The Fair Housing Justice Center (FHJC) is a non-profit civil rights organization that serves New York City and the seven suburban New York counties: Dutchess, Nassau, Orange, Putnam, Rockland, Suffolk, and Westchester. Our mission is to: 1) eliminate housing discrimination; 2) promote policies that foster open, accessible, and inclusive communities; and 3) strengthen enforcement of local, state, and federal fair housing laws. Since its founding in 2005, FHJC investigations have led to legal challenges that have opened up more than 74,000 units of housing to previously excluded populations, recovered more than $52 million in damages and penalties for people who have experienced housing discrimination, and changed the ways many housing providers and government agencies do business. Our large service area, broad range of investigations, and one-of-a-kind Acting for Justice undercover investigative program make the FHJC one of the most effective and highly regarded fair housing organizations in the country.
POSITION SUMMARY: The Intake & Outreach Specialist is responsible for providing direct assistance to individuals who wish to file complaints which allege violations of local, state, or federal fair housing and fair lending laws. The Intake & Outreach Specialist collects and assembles information regarding alleged housing discrimination complaints, provides counseling on fair housing rights, and makes appropriate referrals to organizations and/or administrative enforcement agencies. The Intake & Outreach Specialist conducts targeted outreach to organizations, institutions, and agencies regarding fair housing rights and responsibilities. The salary range for the role is $52,000 – $57,000 annually. This is a full-time position that includes a comprehensive benefits package, including but not limited to medical, dental, vision, life and disability coverage, paid time off, transportation benefit, building gym membership, and an employer matched retirement plan.
REPORTS TO: Executive Director/General Counsel
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Provides counseling and advice to individuals about their fair housing
- Interviews potential complainants and obtains factual, accurate, and complete information concerning alleged fair housing Obtains and reviews complainants’ documentation and other evidence and assembles intake files.
- Regularly meets with the Director of Investigations and Legal Coordinator to provide information needed to structure investigations in response to complaints received.
- Informs complainants about the results of investigations completed in response to complaints received, and counsels complainants about options available for pursuing complaints under fair housing laws.
- Works closely with the Legal Coordinator to ensure that complaints are timely and fully
- Makes referrals to organizations and administrative agencies and when appropriate, discusses options with complainants, the Legal Coordinator, and/or the Executive Director/General Counsel.
- Implements established procedures for handling, storage and control of evidence obtained from complainants and/or witnesses.
- Maintains regular contact with complainants until complaint is resolved or
- Provides sworn statements and testimony in depositions, trials, and other legal
- Conducts outreach and delivers presentations on fair housing to community organizations, institutions, and agencies in the FHJC service area.
- Serve on Outreach Committee, including development of written materials, and coordinate with colleagues regarding activities.
- Assists with the development and implementation of the FHJC’s Adele Friedman Housing Accessibility
- Disseminates information about the Adele Friedman Housing Accessibility Fund to organizations that provide services and advocacy for persons with disabilities.
QUALIFICATIONS:
- Ability to work cooperatively, effectively, and empathically with diverse groups of people and organizations
- Knowledgeable about fair housing laws and issues, housing market practices, and assisted housing programs preferred
- Strong analytical skills
- Highly effective writing and public speaking abilities
- Bilingual English/Spanish language skills strongly preferred
- Reliable, detail-oriented, exceptionally well-organized, and able to work independently
- Previous experience in providing training, one-to-one counseling, civil rights advocacy and/or paralegal work preferred
- Commitment to vigorous enforcement of fair housing and fair lending laws
- Familiarity with communities in New York metropolitan area strongly preferred
- Passionate advocate for complainants
- Demonstrated commitment to social justice
- BA/BS degree preferred, but will consider commensurate experience
LOCATION/CONTACT:
Fair Housing Justice Center, Inc.
30-30 Northern Blvd., Suite 302
Long Island City, NY 11101
Phone: 212-400-8201
Website: www.fairhousingjustice.org
Email: fhjc@fairhousingjustice.org
Contact: Elizabeth Grossman, Executive Director/General Counsel
TO APPLY: PLEASE SEND A RESUME AND COVER LETTER TO fhjc@fairhousingjustice.org.
Your application will not be considered without a cover letter.
Law Student Internships
Position: Legal Intern
Summary: The FHJC seeks highly motivated law students (rising 2Ls or 3Ls) for winter, spring, and summer internships to assist with both individual and systemic housing discrimination claims, including those filed in federal and state court and with administrative agencies. Interns play a leading, crucial role in each of these cases, performing the legal research underpinning individual cases’ discrimination claims; conducting intake calls with potential clients; and generating policy research around systemic housing discrimination on the basis of race, national origin, disability, source of income, sexual orientation, and other protected characteristics under local, state, and federal fair housing laws. Cases advanced with interns’ assistance have led to materially positive outcomes, including damages and injunctive relief being granted to those harmed by discriminatory practices. Interns may also work on policy matters relating to local, state and federal protections against discrimination. The FHJC’s goal is that each summer intern will receive at least $5250 for their work. As such, through the Robert A. Martin Legal Fellowship Fund, the FHJC will provide a stipend for students who do not have law school or other funding, or do not have full funding, for public interest summer internships.
Reports To: Legal Coordinator
Duties and Responsibilities:
- Conduct intake calls with complainants experiencing housing discrimination; gather details and documentation about allegations and work with team to assess possibilities for investigation
- Research and write about legal issues relevant to ongoing or prospective litigation to protect fair housing rights under federal, state, and local laws
- Research policy issues identified by the FHJC as priorities and compose briefs, memos, or other materials to support advocacy mission
- Participate in post-settlement monitoring of housing providers to ensure compliance with fair housing laws and settlement terms
- Attend meetings with outside attorneys and lawmakers; observe preparations for negotiations, mediation and settlement conferences, and discussions on litigation strategy
Interested candidates should e-mail or fax a cover letter, resume, and writing sample to the attention of the FHJC’s Legal Coordinator at:
Fair Housing Justice Center, Inc.
30-30 Northern Blvd., Suite 302
Long Island City, NY 11101
Fax: 212-400-8203
Email: fhjc@fairhousingjustice.org
***No Phone Calls Please***