Monday, January 29, 2007

The Sylvia Rivera Law Project is seeking a Staff Attorney.

Mission: The Sylvia Rivera Law Project (SRLP) works to guarantee that all people are free to self-determine their gender identity and expression, regardless of income or race, and without facing harassment, discrimination, or violence. SRLP is a collective organization founded on the understanding that gender self-determination is inextricably intertwined with racial, social and economic justice. Therefore, we seek to increase the political voice and visibility of low-income people of color who are transgender, intersex, or gender non-conforming. SRLP works to improve access to respectful and affirming social, health, and legal services for our communities. We believe that in order to create meaningful political participation and leadership, we must have access to basic means of survival and safety from violence.

Responsibilities: The staff attorney will work on direct services, impact litigation, public education, policy work, and community organizing support to advance the rights of low-income transgender, intersex, and gender nonconforming people of color. The staff attorney will focus on the areas of discrimination in sex-segregated facilities (such as foster care group homes and homeless shelters), Medicaid coverage, name and gender changes on identity documents, and immigration. Responsibilities include all aspects of developing and pursuing impact litigation; supervising legal interns; providing direct services to a caseload of clients; drafting know your rights materials and conducting trainings of community members and service providers; negotiating with agencies to change policies that hurt our communities; and supporting campaigns of community organizing projects through such means as coordinating legal observing for actions or conducting on-site clinics. The staff attorney will also share general administrative and collective-wide duties with other staff. This position is currently temporary and available for one full year, with a possibility for continued permanent employment following the first year.

Qualifications: Required:Law degreeCommitment to gender self-determination and racial and economic justice Willingness to work in a collective environment with consensus-based decision-makingPreferred:Fluency in Spanish and EnglishAdmission to practice in New YorkSubstantial civil rights litigation and/or civil legal services experienceFamiliarity with low-income transgender, intersex, and gender nonconforming communities of colorPublic speaking experienceExperience negotiating with government agencies

Compensation: Consistent with our values as a collective, all full-time staff have the same base annual salary, currently $42,848. An increased salary is possible based on need, such as for people supporting family members. Three weeks vacation time, full medical and dental benefits, and payment of professional fees also included. The start date is April 2nd, 2007.

Application: To apply, please send a cover letter, resume, and writing sample to Staff Attorney Hiring Committee, Sylvia Rivera Law Project, 322 8th Ave., 3rd Floor, New York, NY 10001 by March 5, 2007.People of color, trans people, women, people with intersex conditions, people who have lived in poverty, people with disabilities, immigrants, and lesbian, gay, bisexual and queer people are strongly encouraged to apply.

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