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Position Announcement
Director of Land Retention & Advocacy
Contact: info@federation.coop
Application Close Date: December 31, 2023 or until position is filled.
EAST POINT, Ga. -
The Federation of Southern Cooperatives/ Land Assistance Fund (www.federation.coop) is the nation’s leading nonprofit organization focusing on Black land retention and cooperative economic development. The Federation’s history of using successful land retention strategies over the last 56 years has focused on providing outreach, education and direct technical assistance to Black farmers, landowners and cooperatives in the South.
The Federation of Southern Cooperatives/ Land Assistance Fund (FSC/LAF) seeks a Director of Land Retention and Advocacy in its administrative office in East Point, Georgia.
The Director of Land Retention and Advocacy leads the development and management of
outreach, education and technical assistance programs that support the land retention and
advocacy initiatives of FSC/LAF and as part of its Regional Heirs Property and Mediation
Center.
JOB DESCRIPTION
The Director of Land Retention and Advocacy is a full-time, executive level position which
reports to the Executive Director. Responsibilities include leading the delivery of high impact technical and legal assistance programs, outreach and education to farmers and landowners; managing the Regional Heirs Property and Mediation Center; and developing and maintaining an aggressive advocacy agenda for the organization.
The Director of Land Retention and Advocacy must demonstrate excellent personnel, leadership, and administrative skills and show initiative, good judgment, and excellent communication skills.
The Director of Land Retention and Advocacy must also be able to work effectively in a collaborative environment and should have a competent familiarity with the real estate, probate, and estate planning issues facing communities of color and show a demonstrated interest in racial justice and equity.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- Manage a high volume caseload of land retention matters, including heirs' property, probate matters, and estate planning.
- Provide legal guidance and technical assistance to farmers and landowners trying to resolve their heirs' property issues.
- Lead and conduct mediation services for agricultural mediation programs.
- Conduct phone interviews with farmers and landowners, follow up for requested information, and assist with strategy development based on the facts of the case.
- Assist farmers and landowners with identifying heirs who have an ownership interest in land based on applicable intestacy statute and development of family trees.
- Lead family conferences and meetings to discuss heirs' property issues and draft agreements to resolve heirs' property issues.
- Manage and supervise the Summer Legal Internship Program.
- Assist with preparing estate or succession plans, including simple wills, advance directives for healthcare, and financial powers of attorney.
- Represent FSC/LAF at community regional events, meetings, conferences, and seminars requiring periodic and sometimes frequent travel.
- Assist with organizational communications, including social media, website updates, and periodic newsletters.
- Organize and maintain information in the case management database.
- Attain and maintain a strong knowledge base on social justice issues that impact Black farmers, landowners, and cooperatives.
- Undertake other related projects and duties as may be assigned by the Executive Director.
QUALIFICATIONS
- Candidates must have a Juris Doctor from an accredited law school and be a licensed attorney in good standing in any state or jurisdiction in the United States.
- Candidates must have 5+ years of legal experience in real estate law, estate planning, and/or probate or the equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.
- Candidates must have mediation training and/or experience or be willing to complete 40 hours of mediation training.
- Candidates must have experience and/or a considerable knowledge and understanding of the legislative process and issues facing Black farmers, landowners, cooperatives, and/or rural communities.
- Demonstrated leadership, supervisory, and administrative abilities.
- Considerable public speaking and community education experience, comfortable working in low-income, rural communities, building trust with Black farmers and grassroots groups, and understanding rural life's special values and challenges.
- Excellent legal and written and oral communication skills, including strong computer skills.
COMPENSATION
Salary is competitive on a non-profit scale and commensurate with experience. Benefits include health, dental, and vision insurance, vacation, and paid sick leave.
TO APPLY
To apply, please send a cover letter, including the position(s) for which you are applying, reasons for your interest in resolving injustices arising from heirs property, experience, and any other pertinent information, along with a resume to info@federation.coop
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