"Director of Public Interest Career Development Program"

Overview

The John and Terry Levin Center for Public Service and Public Interest Law is central to achieving Stanford Law School’s commitment to educating and training new lawyers who are committed to public service regardless of their career path. The Levin Center is responsible for the development, implementation, and administration of programs, events, workshops and classes that promote and support public service in the legal profession. Its activities include leadership and career development for students and alumni, curricular and program planning, work with student groups, as well as external, alumni, and employer relations. Including the Public Interest Career Development Director, the Levin Center has 6 team members.

Programs administered by the Levin Center include Alumni Mentor Program, Externship Program, Public Interest Mentor Program, Pro Bono Program, Public Service Awards, Postgraduate Public Interest Fellowships Program, and Summer Public Interest Employment Funding Program.

The Levin Center is a thought leader within the law school about how to advance the public interest and a partner with our students to provide them support, help them build community, and to develop the skills, vision, and resilience needed to succeed as public interest and public service attorneys.

The Levin Center is seeking a full-time Director of Public Interest Career Development Program who will work with students and alumni to explore public interest nonprofit (domestic, foreign and/or international), private public interest firms, and public sector opportunities. This staff member will take the lead in designing and implementing all career development programs for the Levin Center. They will also work with other members of the team to counsel law students and alumni on career planning, job search strategies, and legal markets. This position will report to the Executive Director and will work within the Levin Center team to assist with additional programming, training, and/or workshops. There is also the possibility of this staff member teaching a public interest course, depending on capacity and interest.

Position Description

To be successful in this role you will have a high level of emotional intelligence and a commitment to community and belonging. If you have experience working with the public interest and/or public sector legal communities, and have previously enjoyed supervising, mentoring, hiring, etc., law students and/or young lawyers, this position is for you.

Public Interest & Public Sector/Governmental Opportunities - Advising & Programming

• Provide direct advice to law school students and alumni on career options as well as job search skills and strategies related to summer or permanent employment.
• Develop and maintain relationships with public interest and public sector legal employers, alumni, and faculty.
• Plan, conduct, and evaluate related programs, workshops, and panels.

General Responsibilities

• Manage the Public Interest Career Development Program.
• Engage in critical analysis of students’ or others’ concerns to resolve problems, utilizing professional knowledge and expertise.
• Oversee essential processes to ensure the Levin Center mission is being advanced and contribute to development of policy and program content.
• Create and manage relationships with external community and university partners.
• Develop and implement relevant career-related programming and make strategic recommendations for future programs.
• Interpret and implement university and law school policies related to working with and support law students.
• Analyze student needs and design student-facing communications. Provide leadership related to responsible substantive areas to create content for Levin Center website, newsletter, and other materials.
• Oversee key processes, including contribution and direction on policy and program content.
• Track student and alumni PI/PS job placements for both internal and external audiences.
• Other duties may also be assigned, as necessary.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• J.D. required.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience practicing as a public interest or public sector attorney.
• Advanced communication skills to clearly and effectively communicate information to internal and external audiences, client groups, and all levels of management.
• Strong analytical and problem solving skills to review and analyze complex information.
• Advanced computer skills, including experience with Microsoft Office Suite.
• Advanced customer service skills - strong interpersonal, advising, and counseling skills
• Relevant computer systems/technology experience.
• Ability to ensure and apply compliance with legal, financial, and university policies and external regulations.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• 7+ years of legal practice experience as a public interest or public sector attorney.
• Experience and familiarity with job opportunities in the fields of international human rights, rule of law in transitional societies, and law and international development.
• Familiarity with government job markets, employers, organizations, post-graduate fellowship funders and programs, and government honors or new attorney hiring programs.
• Experience working in an educational environment with undergraduate or graduate students.
• Ability to work independently as well as collaboratively.
• Demonstrated ability to manage time effectively and handle multiple tasks under pressure, with frequent interruptions.
• Sensitivity to diversity of student body and career interests.
• Sense of humor and ability to work effectively as a member of a team.

HOW TO APPLY

Please submit a resume, a list of three professional references, and a cover letter that includes responses to the following questions:

• Why are you interested in stepping into this kind of position?
• If you could go back in time, what kind of programs or support would you have wanted as a public interest law student?
• Describe your experience working with individuals with identities different from yours and your approach to bridging those differences.

The expected pay range for this position is $108,450 to $129,629 per annum.

Stanford University provides pay ranges representing its good faith estimate of the salary the university reasonably expects to pay for a position upon hire. The pay offered to a selected candidate will be determined based on factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the qualifications of the selected candidate, departmental budget availability, internal equity, geographic location and external market pay for comparable jobs.

At Stanford University, base pay represents only one aspect of the comprehensive rewards package. The Cardinal at Work website provides detailed information on Stanford’s extensive range of benefits and rewards offered to employees. Specifics about the rewards package for this position may be discussed during the hiring process.