POSITION: The Michigan Legal Help Program (MLHP) is seeking a full-time Administrative Assistant to join its team of advocates contributing to one of the most innovative legal self-help websites in the country. In 75% of civil cases, at least one side does not have an attorney. MLH works to address this imbalance by providing free, accessible legal information to people representing themselves in Michigan, as well as tools to fill out forms and step-by-step instructions to help people handle their legal problems from start to finish. MLH also created an automated Guide to Legal Help to provide curated resources for visitors, and the What’s Next Text program that texts visitors automatically to help them at every stage of their legal issue. The Administrative Assistant position will be based out of the Ypsilanti office with a hybrid in-office/remote work schedule. This is a unique opportunity to use your administrative skills to help people engage in our civil justice system.
DESCRIPTION OF PROGRAM: The Michigan Legal Help Program (MLH) is a non-profit legal organization located in Ypsilanti, Michigan that works to democratize legal information through operating the nationally-recognized Michigan Legal Help website, as well as advocating for changes in court rules, forms and processes to bridge the justice gap for self-represented litigants. The Michigan Legal Help website contains plain language information on substantive and procedural law on legal areas with high rates of self-represented litigants. This includes know-your-rights articles, self-led interviews that help visitors fill out court forms, and step-by-step instructions that help walk visitors through the procedure of how they need to file and serve their forms, and the steps that follow. In 2022, the website had 5.3 million page views and nearly half a million court forms created through its interviews. MLH also helps libraries, courts and other community organizations open self-help centers to provide one-on-one assistance to members of their community who need assistance with their legal issues. This includes training existing staff to assist members of the public in identifying their legal issues and finding and using the appropriate resources on the site.
MLHP is part of Michigan Statewide Advocacy Services (MSAS), a non-profit law firm providing free legal services to older adults and people with low income through several statewide programs. MSAS is administered by the Michigan Advocacy Program (MAP), which provides access to the justice system for those who need it the most through civil legal aid offices and statewide advocacy programs. MAP’s mission is to advance the safety, independence, and economic stability of those most affected by poverty, racism, and other structurally oppressive systems by increasing access to justice and working for systemic solutions. Visit miadvocacy.org for more information.
RESPONSIBILITIES: Primary Administrative Assistant responsibilities include:
- Administrative Support for Michigan Legal Help Operations: help assemble data and other needed information for grant reporting; conduct outreach and logistical assistance for hiring interns and new MLH staff as needed; process invoices for payment; and other similar tasks.
- Administrative Support for MLH’s Self-Help Center and Community Navigator work: supporting individual SHCs including coordinating creation of SHC brochures, signage, and landing pages; data collection onboarding for centers; coordinating and scheduling remote and in-person SHC meetings, trainings, webinars and other programming; providing logistical assistance for the annual SHC conference; posting content on SHC Alliance website; helping with data collection and reporting for SHC and Community Navigator projects; helping with preparing materials for trainings; and other similar tasks.
- Contributing to the overall operations of MLH: organizing MLH comments in a central location; posting new content to MichiganLegalHelp.org and AyudaLegaldeMichigan.org; fulfilling orders for outreach materials; updating information on community organization and court pages of MichiganLegalHelp.org; helping to train law clerks and new staff; participating in special projects impacting MLH; and other similar tasks.
QUALIFICATIONS: An associate or bachelor’s degree, or commensurate professional experience, is required. Applicants must possess excellent communication, collaboration, and organizational skills as well as be detail oriented. We value analytical and problem-solving skills, as well as a demonstrated commitment to serving people with low-income and underserved populations through lived or learned experience. Applicants must be skilled in working with Microsoft Office, Zoom, and Google Suite, and be comfortable learning new technology interfaces. Applicants must be able to effectively manage multiple tasks, set priorities, and meet all deadlines. A commitment to increasing access to justice for people without lawyers, the ability to take initiative in the development and completion of projects, and the ability to work successfully on teams is required. Experience organizing trainings or events is beneficial.
BENEFITS: This is a full-time position with a 2024 salary starting at $42,480 depending on experience. MAP offers a generous benefits package including life, short- and long-term disability, health, vision, dental and flexible spending accounts. If staff do not require health benefits, they have the option to take an annual $1,500 payout in addition to the base salary paid over the course of the year. MAP also has a generous leave policy allowing staff to accrue 3 weeks paid vacation the first year and 13 paid holidays, as well as a 401K retirement plan including employer match for eligible staff after 6 months of employment. MAP is a qualifying employer for Public Service Loan Forgiveness.
TO APPLY: Please complete this application and submit your resume and cover letter. You can also access the application by copying and pasting the following web address into your browser: https://miadvocacy.bamboohr.com/careers/78. Applications received by 1/31/24 will receive priority.
The Michigan Advocacy Program is an equal opportunity employer, committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace.