Director of Criminal Records Relief

The Westside Justice Center is growing and expanding its legal services team!

Unleash your advocacy skills and make a difference with the Westside Justice Center. Join our mission-driven team as the Director of Criminal Records Relief and play a critical role in advancing access to justice for immigrant individuals and families navigating the U.S. immigration system.

Founded in 2015, the Westside Justice Center (WJC) is not just a workplace—it is a community-centered Legal Aid clinic committed to eradicating barriers to justice and uplifting authentic community leadership.

As the Director of Criminal Records Reliefl, you'll be at the forefront of our efforts, leading our CRR Legal Services team to offer essential support to individuals and communities in need. You will provide oversight and direction for the Criminal Records Relief practice area by overseeing systems, processes, and people to ensure clients receive high standards of legal services in ways that are client centered and trauma informed.

Responsibilities

Supervision:

Oversee the work, engagement, and success of attorneys and paralegals

Support direct reports with clear expectations, direct feedback, and needed support

Ensure equitable professional development and career growth for all direct reports

Program Management:

System and Program design

Develop program manuals, guides, and other documents to support the work of the legal services program

Create workflows

Staff recruitment & training

Organize and attend departmental meetings

Participate in staff recruitment and hiring process

Provide leadership and training to Legal Services staff

Legal resources development

Maintain WJC legal practice manual, including motions, pleadings, guides, and other materials for legal program staff

Maintain WJC pro se litigant assistance manual

Liaising with partner organizations and providing occasional trainings or outreach presentations

Reporting

Oversee the collection and maintenance of electronic and manual records

Prepare periodic reports for internal and external purposes

Evaluation

Establish and maintain internal evaluation guidelines

Collaborate with members of the Senior team to evaluate WJC programming

Client Representation:

Assist with legal representation/legal counsel

Coordinate client intakes

Provide legal consultation and conduct research to assist problem-solving around intakes and resolution of cases

Successful Candidates Will Possess

Licensed to practice law in Illinois

4 (four) years’ experience in the practice field

Nonprofit experience preferred

Supervision experience preferred

Ability to work collaboratively in a fast-paced, crisis oriented, self-directed environment

Strong project management skills

Proven ability to prioritize work

Proven ability to communicate clearly and effectively, both in writing and orally, with staff, volunteers and partners

Ability to explain complex legal situations compassionately and effectively to people in crisis

Excellent interpersonal skills

Strong organizational abilities including planning, delegating, program development, and task facilitation

NOTE: A copy of your professional license, academic transcripts, or relevant training certificates will be required at the time of interview, if applicable.

Benefits:

Community Impact

Health Insurance

Dental Insurance

Vision Insurance

Paid Time Off

401(k) retirement plan

Work Environment

The work environment described here is representative of that an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation(s) may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

This job operates in a professional office environment. The role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones and photocopiers

Ability to communicate verbally

Ability to spend extended time working on a computer

Occasional need for local travel for work-related reasons

Compensation

Actual compensation will be determined based on a wide array of relevant factors, including market considerations, organizational needs, and an individual’s skills, experience, and qualifications. Target salary hiring range is $85,000-$90,000.

Disclaimer

The above is intended to describe the general content of and requirements for the performance of this role. It is not intended to be an exhaustive statement of duties, requirements, or responsibilities. This document does not create an employment contract, implied or otherwise, other than an “at will” relationship.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

The Westside Justice Center is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer and is committed to maintaining an inclusive environment free from discrimination and harassment.

We prohibit discrimination in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex

(including pregnancy, gender identity, transgender status, and sexual orientation), national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, parental status, military service or discharge status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

Consistent with our mission to advance justice and equity, people of color, women, LGBTQI-GNC individuals, immigrants, and formerly incarcerated people are strongly encouraged to apply.