About Project Guardianship
Project Guardianship (PG) provides guardianship services for older adults and people living with disabilities and mental illness in New York who have been determined by a judicial proceeding to need help making decisions and have no family or friends able to assist them. PG’s team approach employs attorneys, case managers, and finance associates to provide clients with services that allow them to be as independent and in the least restrictive setting as possible. Since 2005, PG has served hundreds of New Yorkers and has become a leading voice in a national, interdisciplinary effort to re-envision and strengthen guardianship policy.
Position Summary
Project Guardianship seeks an attorney to lead its newest pilot project: The Guardianship Prevention and Support (GPS) Helpline. The GPS Helpline will be a dedicated phone and email service for Article 81 Guardianship information and support, including prevention resources. Reporting to the Director of NYS Guardianship Initiatives, the Staff Attorney will collaborate with PG staff and directors in developing and piloting the helpline. Once launched, the staff attorney will effectively provide legal information, resources, referrals, and practical assistance to callers with varying levels of subject area knowledge.
Primary Responsibilities:
- Providing assistance to callers, both professionals and the general public, on a variety of topics including but not limited to: commencing guardianship cases, guardianship prevention, restoration of rights, interpreting court papers, advance directives, accessing benefits, supportive housing, care planning, and caregiver support
- Working with PG staff to develop a workflow process, create a resource guide, and make program adjustments once the Helpline goes live
- Maintaining notes of all communications
- Tracking progress of the project
- Working with PG’s Data and Evaluation Manager to present patterns among callers
- Spearheading and participating in outreach and training efforts
- Hiring GPS Helpline coordinator
Qualifications:
- J.D.
- 2+ years of work experience
- Knowledge of Article 81 Guardianship and its lesser restrictive alternatives
- Knowledge of two or more of the following areas: public benefits, medical and mental health care, long-term care, Medicaid, advance directives, powers of attorney, housing law, supported decision-making
- Effective, compassionate communicator
- Problem-solving and research skills
- Demonstrated commitment to social justice preferred
- Willingness to present to large audiences
Compensation:
- $70,000-$80,000 (starting salary commensurate with experience).
- Full benefits including health, dental, vision, retirement plan with employer match, long- and short-term disability, life insurance, and generous paid time-off policy.
Please indicate your salary requirement in your application.
Project Guardianship is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will be considered for employment without unlawful discrimination based on race, color, creed, national origin, sex, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, military status, prior record of arrest or conviction, citizenship status, current employment status, or caregiver status.
Project Guardianship works to advance justice, particularly racial justice, in an increasingly multicultural country and globally connected world. We value diverse experiences, including with regard to educational background and justice system contact, and depend on a diverse staff to carry out our mission.
For more information about Project Guardianship’s work, please visit www.projectguardianship.org.