Self-Help Resource Center Coordinator

Under general supervision of the Fairfax Bar Association Executive Director and working closely with the Self-Help Center Standing Committee, performs routine to specialized assistance for self-represented litigants regarding court processes and related duties as assigned.

The Self-Help Resource Center Coordinator is a staff position with the Fairfax Bar Association. The SHRC Coordinator will be responsible for providing information to the general public on the preparation of court filings, procedures, and information, including but not limited to small claims, family law, and eviction matters. The SHRC Coordinator will provide legal information, not legal advice, and support to members of the general public through clerical and administrative tasks and online services at the SHRC.

Success as a Self-Help Services Coordinator requires a positive, energetic demeanor, desire to continuously grow and learn, a strong service-oriented approach, and the ability to balance the interests of the organization. The following are representative duties:

• Provides legal information to self-represented litigants who otherwise would not have access to legal assistance and ensures that Center visitors are provided with referrals to legal and nonlegal resources, as necessary.
• Plans, manages, reviews, evaluates, and proposes new court programs to assist self-represented litigants across a variety of case types, including record sealing, landlord/tenant matters, small claims, custody, visitation, child support and consumer/debt collection.
• Recommends, facilitates, and consults with the SHRC Committee on the implementation of process, policy, and procedural changes to maximize assistance to self-represented litigants.
• Stays abreast of technological solutions and other innovations that can enhance the provision of court services to self-represented litigants and leverages those solutions for the benefit of court users.
• Collaborates with judges, the Clerks of Court, and other court staff to ensure that self-represented litigants receive the assistance necessary to improve court filings and improve the efficiency of the court system.
• Provides procedural assistance in the completion of court forms, pleadings, and other documents; distributes necessary court forms, such as voluntary declarations of parentage.
• Assists in the preparation of a variety of correspondence, periodic and special reports, narrative and statistical reports, informational publications, program documentation, policies, procedures, and other written materials; and may access varied databases or use information from various sources to prepare such materials.
• Operates a variety of modern office hardware and software.
• Maintains effective working relationships with judicial officers, court staff, and justice partners engaged in the provision of services to self-represented litigants and alternative dispute resolution services.
• Works with the Clerks’ offices and other court departments to develop forms and educational materials designed to better serve self-represented litigants and improve the quality of filings received by the Clerk’s office.
• Performs community outreach on behalf of the Center and the Court to increase and enhance Center use.
• Attends community meetings and presents to various groups on services provided by the Center.
• Participates in providing training to attorneys interested in learning more about Center services.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• Three (3) years of legal secretarial, paralegal, legal or court clerical experience preferably involving court document processing experience and/or small claims, evictions, and/or family law cases, and experience dealing with the public; or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.
• Experience in working with low-income individuals, especially related to record sealing, landlord/tenant disputes, small claims custody, visitation, child support, and consumer/debt collection.
• Ability to serve as a strong advocate for the court and court programs to the public and to assist the court in providing services to self-represented litigants. Experience working with judges and court staff is preferred.

Knowledge and Abilities

• Court policies, procedures, and processes; Court local rules; and forms that are commonly used by self-represented litigants.
• Applicable laws and codes; relevant educational materials; proper forms and the correct completion of them; appropriate referral sources.
• Current and in-development software solutions, including web-based, to assist self-represented litigants through, e.g., completion of forms and obtaining remote access to court services.
• Best practices that help self-represented litigants with accessing and using the court system.  Ability to:
• Plan, organize, administer, and coordinate projects, programs, and operations, consistent with Court policies and goals.
• Exercise excellent time management, triage, and multitasking skills.
• Exercise initiative and proactively identify and make improvements to existing processes both within the Center and throughout the Courthouse.
• Work with externs, judicial fellows, and student volunteers to provide insight into court and judicial branch operations and provide a meaningful learning experience.
• Recruit and retain volunteers to assist in the provision of services to self-represented litigants and general office tasks.
• Exercise excellent independent judgment in dealing with complex and/or sensitive matters; maintain confidentiality.
• Prepare clear and concise correspondence, reports, and related written materials.
• Engage with the public with respect, tact, and empathy; work cooperatively and professionally, and communicate effectively with judicial officers, court personnel, and justice partners.
• Analyze complex matters, formulate recommendations and alternatives, anticipate problems, and present ideas and solutions in a logical and justifiable manner, often while under pressure.
• Communicate empathetically, neutrally, and clearly with individuals of diverse socioeconomic cultural and ethnic backgrounds, including people with disabilities.
• Provide high quality, trauma-informed services to individuals facing stressful and difficult situations.
• Operate modern office equipment, including computers, smart phones, tablets, and software applications designed to assist self-represented litigants.

Bilingual Spanish/English candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.