Program, Operations, and Practice Assistant

DC Affordable Law Firm (DCALF) is rooted in the conviction that income should never be a barrier to justice. Founded in 2015 to help close access to justice gaps in the District of Columbia, DCALF serves an expansive range of hardworking DC residents unable to afford market-rate legal services, including modest-income residents whose household incomes put them just beyond the limits of traditional legal aid and low-income residents navigating unmet legal needs. Through innovative programming and a commitment to equity, DCALF delivers overwhelmingly free legal services in family law, probate, estate planning, and immigration, bridging the gaps in DC’s civil justice system and delivering transformative legal services that empower DC residents to thrive.

Across the past decade, DCALF has solidified its role as a mainstay DC legal services organization with a staff of 30-plus and a strong network of institutional partners and pro bono volunteers. DCALF serves more than 500 clients annually, reaching hundreds more through community education and outreach across DC. DCALF’s award-winning annual post-graduate Fellowship programs play an essential role in expanding access to justice, empowering recent law graduates to become skilled public interest attorneys and lifelong champions for justice to build a more equitable future.

Position Overview

DCALF seeks a full-time Program, Operations, and Practice (POP) Assistant to provide cross-functional project coordination and administrative support. The POP Assistant will report to one of DCALF’s Co-Legal Directors. Key responsibilities will include management of DCALF’s community engagement and outreach activities, collection and synthesis of program data, preparation of outreach materials, and other logistical and administrative support activities. The ideal candidate will demonstrate aptitude for community outreach, project coordination, and data management; communicate clearly and professionally with external partners; be adept at building relationships with individuals from diverse backgrounds; have a strong sense of empathy, organization, and professionalism; be able to work independently to meet time-sensitive deliverables; and is committed to supporting a diverse and equitable work environment.

The anticipated start date for this position is September 15, 2026.

Core responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

Program Support, Outreach, and Community Engagement (50%)

• Coordinate community education, outreach, and engagement events from planning through execution, working in partnership with members of DCALF’s staff, management, and leadership teams.
• Manage event logistics, including venue coordination, vendor communications, host site engagement, and collaboration with community partners.
• Prepare, distribute, and maintain community outreach and event materials, resources, and participant communications.
• Assist in transporting supplies and resources to and from community events.
• Oversee event registration processes, including participant recruitment, registration management, attendance tracking, and follow-up communications, as needed.
• Collect, track, and analyze event-related data, including participant demographics, pre- and post-event surveys, evaluations, and outcome measures.
• Maintain accurate records related to community engagement activities, event participation, and program outcomes.

Office Administration and Operations (20%)

• Manage and maintain organizational calendars, ensuring accurate scheduling and coordination of meetings, trainings, deadlines, and other key organizational events.
• Coordinate conference room reservations and external visitor logistics in collaboration with internal staff and office building management teams, including scheduling, reception and front-desk coordination, and workspace setup to ensure a professional and welcoming environment for guests and partners.
• Provide administrative and logistical support for internal meetings, trainings, and staff events, including scheduling and coordination, preparation and distribution of materials, note-taking, and tracking follow-up actions.
• Support day-to-day office operations, including ordering and maintaining office supplies, monitoring inventory, and processing incoming and outgoing mail.
• Help maintain and update office procedures and administrative systems to promote efficient and effective operations.

Data Management, Reporting, and Compliance (20%)

• Support program teams’ data collection, entry, validation, and reporting activities to ensure the accuracy and completeness of organizational and case-related information.
• Assist in organizing and aggregating program statistics and outcome data to support grant reporting and funder requirements, as needed.
• Prepare routine reports, spreadsheets, and administrative documents to support program, operational, and practice needs.
• Contribute to quality assurance and file review processes to support compliance with organizational policies, funder requirements, and case management protocols, as needed.

Legal and Practice Support (10%)

• Assist with maintaining and updating case management procedures, templates, forms, and administrative resources to support legal team operations.
• Provide coverage for legal assistants and other staff as needed to ensure continuity of client services and office operations during absences or periods of increased workload.
• Assist attorneys and supervisors with other case-related or administrative tasks.

This job description is not necessarily an all-inclusive list of job-related responsibilities, duties, skills, efforts, requirements, or working conditions. While this is intended to be an accurate reflection of the current job, management reserves the right to revise the position or to require that other or different tasks be performed as assigned.

Qualifications

• 1-2 years of experience in an administrative, operations, or events planning role preferred, with a demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities while providing excellent client or customer service.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, with the ability to communicate effectively in various situations and with a wide range of stakeholders.
• Ability to work well under pressure, multitask, and adapt in a fast-paced environment.
• Comfort interacting with individuals from diverse backgrounds, demonstrating patience, empathy, and compassion in all communications.
• Strong active listening skills, including the ability to fully engage with speakers, accurately understand and reflect key points, and ask thoughtful, clarifying questions as appropriate.
• Strong organizational abilities with a detail-oriented and deadline-driven approach to work.
• Team player with the ability to foster strong relationships with clients, colleagues, vendors, and community partners.
• Demonstrated growth mindset, with a willingness to learn, receive feedback, and develop skills to enhance job performance and support the organization’s mission.
• Proficiency with and/or willingness to learn core DCALF technology systems, such as Microsoft 365 (including Outlook, Word, Excel, and SharePoint), Clio, and NetDocuments.
• Commitment to diversity, inclusion, and race equity.
• Availability for periodic evening and weekend events.
• Fluency in Spanish preferred; fluency/proficiency in other languages a plus.

Work Environment

DCALF is currently working in a hybrid remote/in-person model. Following onboarding, the candidate will work on-site in the office or community-based settings up to four days per week with a minimum of three days per week at DCALF’s offices. Given the nature of the position, candidates will be expected to work closely with their supervisor and remain flexible to work additional in-person days as needed to support office operations, provide coverage for other staff, or facilitate in-person collaboration. This position may also require regular attendance at in-person community engagement events outside of working hours, in the District of Columbia.

Compensation and Benefits

DCALF offers the following benefits:

• 401(k) retirement plan with 3% employer match.
• Medical insurance and elective dental and vision insurance options.
• Generous paid leave, including vacation, sick, and personal days, Thanksgiving break (Wednesday – Friday), winter break closure (Christmas – New Year’s), and all Federal and local DC holidays.
• Commuter benefits.
• Paid parental and family leave through the DC Paid Family Leave Program.
• Ongoing training opportunities.

The annual starting salary for this position is $54,000. In addition, this position is eligible for DCALF’s Spanish Language stipend of $2,500 annually for a candidate with a demonstrated proficiency in spoken and written Spanish. This is a non-exempt, full-time position.

Fluency in English Required. Fluency in Spanish preferred; fluency/proficiency in other languages a plus.