Associate Project Director at The University of Nebraska-Lincoln in Lincoln, Nebraska

Job Description:

Working Title:

Associate Project Director

Department:

Ctr on Children Families & the Law-1082

Requisition Number:

F_240100

Posting Open Date:

07/18/2024

Application Review Date: (To ensure consideration, please submit all application materials before review date):

08/19/2024

Open Until Filled:

Yes

Description of Work:

The University of Nebraska Center on Children, Families, and the Law and the College of Law are home to the Children's Justice Clinic and the Children's Justice Attorney Education Fellowship program. Both programs are uniquely designed to improve juvenile court advocacy. Using a holistic model to support law students and attorneys, both programs provide intensive training, expert case consultation and supervision/mentorship, and reflective practice. Current work is being expanded to increase the number of attorneys participating in the fellowship program and formalize mechanisms to monitor accessibility and quality of representation in Nebraska.


The successful candidate will be an attorney with experience and expertise working in child welfare and/or youth justice. They must be committed to elevating and transforming the juvenile system on a local, state, and national level through mentoring and training law students and attorneys while creating, packaging, and launching a national model for practicing rural attorneys.
The Associate Project Director will partner with the Director in the leadership, vision, and management of programs in creating the Center. They will oversee the rural attorney fellowship program, supervise students in the clinic, and conduct research to develop and disseminate the Center's work.
This is a non-tenure track position located in Lincoln, Nebraska and physically housed at the University of Nebraska College of Law. Travel within Nebraska for workshops is required approximately six to eight times annually, and travel outside of Nebraska may be required.



Duties and Responsibilities
Assist Project Director in project leadership, vision, and management (50%):

• Manage day-to-day programming for the rural fellowship program, including:
  
  
  • Serve as consultant and mentor for attorney fellows.
  
  
  • Oversee curriculum development and management.
  
  
  • Nurture relationships with fellows, consultants, and attorneys.
  
  
  • Draft program reports.
  
  
  
  
  
  


• Facilitate alumni programming.

Supervise and support clinic students (30%):

• Maintain thorough knowledge of cases assigned and assess how to prioritize support to clinic students.


• Provide in-person and written feedback to clinic students to draft high-quality Guardian ad Litem Reports.


• Develop and facilitate 1-2 seminar sessions per semester.


• Serve as lead counsel on clinic cases during summer months.

Research and collaborate to develop and disseminate the Project's work to improve legal advocacy for children and families. (20%):

• Present at local, state, regional, and national conferences/organizations to promote and provide education surrounding the Project's mission.

Problem Solving/Decision MakingThe successful candidate will be responsible for complex problem-solving, strategic planning, and decision-making. They will also be responsible for independent decision-making about their activities, priorities and work plans, and other day-to-day decisions in achieving the objectives of the project.

InteractionsThe Associate Project Director will interact regularly with CCFL and College of Law staff, consultants, fellows, law students, and other systems professionals on a regular basis. Methods of communication will vary with in-person interactions, phone conversations, online video conferencing, emailing, and texting. The individual must have strong professional skills and the ability to interact and form strong working relationships with co-workers, community partners, system professionals, and others.

Supervision ReceivedThe individual will be directly supervised by the Project Director and Director of Clinical Programs, however, this individual is expected to work independently and follow through on projects and tasks assigned.

ImpactThe Associate Project Director plays an integral role in developing and implementing the vision to expand and integrate the Children's Justice Clinic and Children's Justice Attorney Education Program.

Salary: $70,000 and will be commensurate with experience.

UNL and LincolnThe University of Nebraska-Lincoln is located in a vibrant and safe city of nearly 300,000 people that has many of the cultural and entertainment benefits of a much larger city, with the feel of a friendly Midwestern community. As the second-largest city in Nebraska, Lincoln provides sufficient outlets for a variety of interests. Venues such as the Lincoln Children's Zoo, which is nationally ranked among other children's zoos, and the Lincoln Children's Museum provide opportunities for quality, family-oriented leisure. The Haymarket District, a historic section of downtown Lincoln, houses numerous restaurants, shops, and bars. Downtown Lincoln is home to the Pinnacle Bank Arena, the Haymarket Park baseball complex, and Memorial Stadium. Additionally, Lincoln has its own airport and over 300 miles of bike trails. Find more information about Lincoln using the links below.

• 
  
  https://aboutlincoln.unl.edu/relocating-lincoln/
  


• 
  
  https://aboutlincoln.unl.edu/
  


• 
  
  https://go.unl.edu/connections
  

As an EO/AA employer, the University of Nebraska considers qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, ethnicity, national origin, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, disability, age, genetic information, veteran status, marital status, and/or political affiliation. See
https://www.unl.edu/equity/notice-nondiscrimination.
Minimum Required Qualifications:

• Juris Doctor from an ABA-accredited institution.


• At least three (3) years of substantial legal experience in the juvenile court system.


• Nebraska Bar license or ability to obtain within 3 months of being hired.


• Ability to be approved as Guardian ad Litem (GAL) in Nebraska.


• Expertise in the juvenile court process.


• Ability to travel throughout Nebraska.


• Must have excellent writing, communication, and organizational skills, and the ability to work with diverse stakeholders.


• Excellent research and writing skills.


• Demonstrated ability to prioritize tasks, manage multiple projects at a time, work well under pressure, and meet deadlines in fast-paced environment.


• Strong interest in teaching and mentoring attorneys and law students.


• Demonstrated expertise in nonlegal components in juvenile court including but not limited to substance use, domestic violence, trauma-informed advocacy, and maltreatment.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master's of social work or equivalent degree.


• At least five (5) years of substantial legal experience in the juvenile court system.


• Familiarity with national reforms and best practice in child welfare and youth justice.


• Approved to serve as Guardian ad Litem (GAL) in Nebraska.


• Grant writing.


• Teaching experience and/or curriculum development.


• Familiarity with the juvenile courts in Nebraska.


• Expertise in development and public speaking to legal and non-legal groups on matters involving child welfare and youth justice.


• Familiarity with the unique needs of rural communities.

Work Location (City, State):

Lincoln, NE

Criminal History Background Check Required:

Yes

How to Apply:

Click "Apply for this Job" and complete the faculty information form. Attach the following documents:

1. Letter of interest.


2. Curriculum vitae.


3. Names and contact information for three professional references.

For questions or accommodations related to this position contact:

Michelle Paxton


mpaxton@unl.edu

Job Category (old):

Faculty Non-Tenure Leading

Job Type:

Full-Time

Position funded by grant or other form of temporary funding?:

Yes

Planned Hire Date:

ASAP

Organizational Location:

Default Location

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