Center for Elder Law & Justice is looking to fill a full-time attorney, to work within our Health Policy Unit. The ideal candidate will have a legal services and policy background with a strong compassion for public service work.

REPORTS TO: Supervising Attorney

 SUPERVISES: Paralegals

Job Specifications:

Serve as the Legal Liaison in the partnership between CELJ and the Region 15 Long Term Care Ombudsman Program (LTCOP). Legal Liaison responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• • Providing necessary support through guidance and research support to Region 15 LTCOP staff and volunteers;
  • Navigating residents in long-term care settings between CELJ and Region 15 LTCOP;
  • Providing trainings and presentations to Region 15 LTCOP, long-term care facility resident and family councils, long-term care facility staff, and the community, as needed on topics involved in long-term care such as: resident rights, advance planning, Medicare, Medicaid, and CELJ services;
  • Participate in the development of legislative and systems advocacy initiatives in partnership with Region 15 LTCOP. This includes, but is not limited to- due diligence reporting on underperforming nursing homes and other long-term care settings; providing feedback on proposed regulations and legislation; and providing regular and timely news updates to LTCOP, CELJ staff, and the community.
• Position will be responsible for becoming an expert in long-term care resident rights, monitoring trends and changes to relevant law, and participating in coalitions which advocate for the rights of the population served.
• Provide direct civil legal services to persons residing in long-term care facilities. Practice areas include: resident rights, substituted decision making matters, and elder .
• Tracking and monitoring relevant legislation activity.
• Drafting and providing testimony before state lawmakers.
• Special projects, as assigned.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Admitted to practice in NYS, desired, but willing to consider the right candidate awaiting admission
• 0-20 years of experience
• Must be comfortable in a health care setting
• Strong legal research and writing skills
• Strong professional verbal and written communication skills
• Comfortability and confidence with public speaking as outreach will be required
• Highly motivated and passionate about public service work
• Excellent writing, speaking and organizational skills
• Ability to work efficiently and accurately while exhibiting patience and diplomacy
• Travel may be required

 CELJ offers a competitive benefits and compensation package, including:

• Generous vacation and sick time
• Fourteen holidays a year, plus two half-day holidays
• Summer hours between Memorial Day and Labor Day
• Payment of license fees and association dues
• Encouragement of professional development
• Eligible for Federal Loan Forgiveness
• After 1 year of service agency will contribute 5% of salary into a 401k
• Position is still going to be responsible for POAs/HCPs, and resident rights guidance/cases.

Job Type: Full time, Part Time, or Contract position

Location: Buffalo or Albany

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

To Apply:

Send cover letter and resume to Chandler Jones, HR Manager cjones@elderjusticeny.org

CELJ is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer and welcomes all to apply, including veterans and individuals with disabilities. Employer recruits without regard to sex, race, sexual orientation, or gender identity, and any such candidates are strongly encouraged to apply