Homeownership Project Administrator

ABOUT PHILADELPHIA VIP

Philadelphia VIP is a nonprofit that recruits and supports volunteer attorneys to represent low-income Philadelphians who face critical legal issues but cannot afford a lawyer.

Since 1981, VIP has been the hub of pro bono in Philadelphia, annually supporting over 1,400 volunteers assisting hundreds of low-income clients in four priority areas: preventing homelessness, preserving income, supporting family stability, and promoting community economic development. Our staff of eighteen consists of attorneys, case managers, and other professionals and is highly collaborative, creative, and passionate about our capacity-building model of service. VIP values a diverse work environment and encourages people of color, people who identify as LGBTQ, and people with disabilities to apply.

POSITION SUMMARY

Reporting to the Senior Staff Attorney, the Homeownership Project Administrator plays a critical role in VIP’s tangled title project. Clients experiencing a tangled title have a legal claim to their home (such as through inheritance) but do not have their name on the deed, preventing them from accessing benefits and services available to homeowners.

The Administrator will provide logistical and administrative support to facilitate volunteers’ resolutions of cases and coordinate with VIP staff to monitor referred VIP cases and propel them toward resolution. The Administrator will also manage the Tangled Title Fund, a City-funded program of well over $200,000 that pays for costs associated with resolving clients’ title issues. Additional duties include coordinating regular dialogue with key legal services agencies that serve tangled title clients. To perform all aspects of this role, the Administrator will develop a basic working knowledge of the key legal issues involved, with attorney support.

The position is full-time (38-40 hours/week) and nonexempt, with a salary range of $44,000 to $49,000 and an outstanding team atmosphere. VIP’s generous benefits include medical and dental insurance (with employee medical premium fully paid by VIP); a 403(b) plan with employer contributions; short-and long-term disability and life insurance; flexible spending accounts for health and dependent care; industry-leading paid time off, including substantial vacation and sick time, 12+ paid holidays, and paid parental leave; an individual budget for professional development; and alternative work arrangements, including generous telework hours and scheduling flexibility. This position is part of a bargaining unit of employees represented by UAW. This position is funded through December 2026 and continued employment is contingent on receipt of funding. VIP is actively seeking to secure further funding.

KEY QUALIFICATIONS

A strong Homeownership Project Administrator will demonstrate: a sound commitment to VIP’s mission and to helping clients experiencing tangled titles; a drive for excellent recordkeeping and maintaining sound, accurate data; strong communication skills; and interest in working in a collaborative, team-oriented environment. Further qualifications include:

• Bachelor’s Degree required; no legal background needed
• Excellent attention to detail and to data integrity
• Strong organizational and time management skills
• Capacity for learning and understanding basic legal issues related to homeownership
• Experience assisting clients living in poverty or volunteers preferred, but not required
• Team player, collaborative, and able to receive and act on feedback
• Aptitude with technology, including a comprehensive case management system
• Is currently a Notary Public, or is willing to become one with VIP’s support

KEY FUNCTIONS

Provide administrative support to VIP’s homeownership project:

• Monitor referred cases, including coordinating with legal team members on needed follow-up with volunteers and clients.
• Provide logistical support to VIP volunteers handling tangled title cases, including coordinating the signing and notarization of key documents and managing the deed recording process.
• Assist VIP Homeownership Team with administrative tasks, including deed recording and document notarization scheduling.
• Assist VIP staff with the completion of Tangled Title Fund (TTF) applications for VIP clients.
• Coordinate regular meetings among the key legal services agencies that serve tangled title clients, including setting agenda topics and following up on key action items.
• Attend regular meetings, and perform all other duties, as assigned.

Manage Tangled Title Fund (TTF) applications, case files, and data:

• Receive incoming applications and disbursement requests, and review for completeness.
• Communicate promptly with applicants’ attorneys, and regularly follow up for missing information and documentation.
• Prepare for and lead monthly TTF Advisory Committee meetings, including compiling packets ahead of time for Committee review, leading the meetings through review of all submissions, and communicating approval decisions to applicants’ attorneys.
• Provide support to TTF applicants who are not represented by attorneys, including directing them to key resources to ultimately enable them to utilize TTF monies.
• Maintain and promptly update case files in LegalServer, VIP’s case management system.
• With attorney support, develop a basic working knowledge of the probate process, real estate transactions, and real estate litigation.

Manage the monthly disbursement of funds, execute on bimonthly reporting, and monitor overall expenditures:

• Request disbursement checks from VIP’s finance team, process checks, and send to applicants’ attorneys.
• Track disbursement data in LegalServer, VIP’s case management system.
• In collaboration with the Data and Contracts Manager, fulfill reporting requests from funders, including bimonthly reports to the City of Philadelphia and City Council.
• Prepare case narratives to highlight the impact of the Tangled Title Fund.
• With direction from the Executive Director and Senior Staff Attorney, continually monitor the TTF’s overall expenditures, and implement changes needed to ensure that available funds are utilized fully and properly.

HOW TO APPLY

Email cover letter, resume, and references, to Nadav Carmel, Director of Operations, jobs@phillyvip.org. References will not be contacted without prior permission from candidate. No calls, please.

What to include in your cover letter: All cover letters should include a salary requirement and potential start date.

Deadline: Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, with priority given to those received by July 10, 2024.

Candidates should be able to in person at VIP’s Center City office for a 2nd round interview, at minimum, during July 2024.

PHILADELPHIA VIP IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

https://www.phillyvip.org/about-us/careers/homeownership-project-administrator/