Special Assistant to the Chief of Staff - Executive Office

ABOUT LSC: The Legal Services Corporation (LSC) is the country’s single largest funder of civil legal aid for low-income Americans. Established in 1974, LSC operates as an independent 501(c)3 nonprofit corporation that promotes equal access to justice and provides grants for high-quality civil legal assistance. LSC currently funds 133 independent, nonprofit legal aid organizations with nearly 800 offices throughout the nation. 

This position will require working from an office in Washington, D.C., but is remote until LSC returns to in-office work. The successful candidate must live in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area.

LSC requires that all employees be up to date with COVID-19 vaccines, including any booster dose(s) when eligible, except as required by law. Any employment offer will be contingent upon satisfactory proof that you are up to date with your COVID-19 vaccines, including any booster dose(s) when eligible, subject to reasonable accommodations for medical or religious reasons, and/or as otherwise required by applicable law.

BASIC FUNCTION: In collaboration with the Chief of Staff and Corporate Secretary, Director of Institutional Advancement (OIA), and staff assigned to support LSC’s functions, oversees the planning, organizing, and implementation of programs and actions related to special projects, initiatives, and task forces of the LSC Board of Directors, which is appointed by the President of the United States, confirmed by the Senate, and serves as LSC’s governing body. The Special Assistant will assist the Director of OIA and other individuals engaged in LSC’s 50th Anniversary event planning efforts. Reports directly to the Chief of Staff and Director of OIA. Moderate travel is required. 

PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Assists with managing the Board’s special projects, initiatives, councils, and task forces, along with coordinating meetings, assignments, and documents; facilitates communications, including internal and external communications for Board-initiated task forces, councils, and events; and tracks progress to ensure the projects stay on budget, within scope, and are completed on time.
• Serves as a thought partner with the Corporate Secretary and Special Assistant to the President with executing the Rural Justice Task Force. This includes identifying and conducting extensive research on topics and policies related to access to justice in rural communities and ultimately helping to draft and edit the final report. It also encompasses developing and planning meetings, including drafting content and materials, developing agendas, planning event logistics, managing execution of events, and performing event close-out duties and responsibilities. 
• Creates constructive working relationships with a broad range of individuals, including government officials and business and non-profit executives; a wide range of LSC staff members; LSC’s Leaders Council and Emerging Leaders Council members; external partners; and other organizations promoting access to justice, largely through the execution of the Rural Justice Task Force, LSC’s 50th Anniversary and other special events, including those related to the LSC Eviction Study.
• Proactively identifies tasks and action items that need to be completed to ensure seamless implementation of meetings, events, and initiatives.
• Anticipates possible challenges and creating contingency plans. Troubleshoots logistical problems and communicates problems to management, as necessary. 
• Drafts clear and concise memoranda, reports, summaries, presentations, and other requested materials. 
• Analyzes and presents data and information in compelling and appropriate formats using Excel and PowerPoint presentations, and other relevant visual displays. 
• Works collaboratively with staff across LSC and develops productive working relationships with internal and external constituencies, including members of LSC’s Rural Justice Task Force Members, the 50th Anniversary Planning Committee, Leaders Council and Emerging Leaders Council.
• Works with OIA Director and stakeholders to develop, plan, and execute all logistics tied to LSC’s 50th Anniversary events, including coordinating availability of stakeholders, drafting content and materials, developing agendas, tracking large volumes of information, planning event logistics, managing execution of events, and performing event close-out duties and responsibilities. 
• Performs other related duties, as assigned.

COMPETENCIES REQUIRED:

General:

Excellent organizational and project management skills; Must be able to think analytically, exercise good judgement, take initiative, function independently with limited supervision and work in close collaboration with others, and be an effective problem-solver; demonstrated ability to take initiative; strong attention to detail; strong written and oral communication skills; strong interpersonal skills with ability to effectively work with full-range of internal and external stakeholders and dignitaries; strong time management skills; demonstrates accuracy and thoroughness and monitors work to ensure quality; adaptable, with ability to adjust quickly to shifting and changing priorities and tight deadlines; ability to handle multiple tasks concurrently; ability to handle confidential and sensitive information; and ability to function in a discreet, diplomatic and confidential manner; ability to systematically organize and catalogue data and information; ability to act without specific instructions or prescribed procedures; ability to work both independently and as part of a team, including working well with persons from diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and working styles.

Technical/ Specialized:

A bachelor’s degree and a minimum of five years of relevant experience. JD, MBA, MPA or similar advanced degree preferred. Adept at data collection, analysis, and presentation. Excellent research and analysis skills. Proficient in Microsoft Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and Zoom.

SALARY AND BENEFITS:

Salary: $ 76,999  ; Step 1

Salary Range: $76,999 - $86,726 

LSC has a competitive market-based salary structure that establishes a specific salary range for this position. The salary range has eight steps. Step increases are based on acceptable performance and longevity. It normally takes 10 years to advance from Step 1 to Step 8 (waiting periods of 2 years to advance at steps 1 - 3 and 1 year at steps 4 – 8). A new hire is typically hired at Step 1. In special circumstances, LSC may authorize a new hire to start at a higher step based on a special need or superior qualifications of the new employee.  

Excellent benefits package.

APPLICATION PROCESS:

You must apply on our website. To have your application considered, you must answer all questions and provide all requested information. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed. Your application must include your résumé and a cover letter explaining why you are a good fit for this position. Apply at: www.lsc.gov/about-lsc/careers

Note: If you need a reasonable accommodation in the application process, please notify OHR at jobapplicant@lsc.gov.

DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION STATEMENT:

We are committed to diversity, equity and inclusion. Our differences fuel excellence, and we strive to create an environment where every individual is valued and feels empowered to bring their full, authentic self to work. We are building a community rooted in openness and trust where colleagues have the resources to grow, thrive and fully contribute to achieving equal access to justice. 

LSC is an equal opportunity employer.