Salary: $9,583.33 - $10,000.00 Monthly
Location : Thurston County - Olympia, WA
Job Type: Full Time - Permanent
Remote Employment: Flexible/Hybrid
Job Number:Department: Office of Civil Legal Aid
Opening Date: 05/29/2026
Closing Date: 7/21/2026 11:59 PM Pacific
DescriptionPosition: Eviction Defense Program Counsel/Program Administrator
Agency: Washington State Office of Civil Legal Aid
Job Type: Permanent Full-Time
Salary: $115,000 - $120,000
Location: Washington State (location flexible; hybrid work/remote arrangements available)
Open: May 29, 2026
Close: June 21, 2026, or open until filled. Review of applications will begin on June 22, 2026.
Preferred start date: August 1, 2026, or as soon as possible thereafter
The Eviction Defense ProgramsOCLA's eviction defense programs support legal help for low-income tenants across Washington who are facing eviction or are at risk of losing their housing. Together, these programs serve more than 13,000 low-income Washingtonians each year through court-appointed counsel, pre-filing eviction prevention legal services, and related housing stability support.
Washington's appointed counsel program for indigent tenants is the only fully functional statewide appointed counsel program for tenants facing eviction in the country. Through this program, OCLA funds and oversees legal aid providers who represent eligible tenants in unlawful detainer proceedings and helps ensure that tenants have meaningful access to the legal protections created by the Legislature.
OCLA also supports pre-filing eviction prevention services and foreclosure prevention legal aid. These programs help stabilize housing before a court case is filed, connect people to legal information and resources, and support a broader statewide system of housing-related legal assistance for people with low incomes.
DutiesReporting to the Eviction Defense Program Manager, this position will support the administration, oversight, and continuous improvement of OCLA's appointed counsel, pre-filing eviction defense, and foreclosure prevention legal aid programs. Responsibilities will include:
- Monitoring contractor performance and compliance which includes reviewing program data and contractor data and narrative reports
- Supporting site visits and court docket observations
- Providing technical assistance and coordination to legal aid providers, courts, community partners, and other stakeholders
- Helping develop contracts, scopes of work, reporting tools, policies, guidance, and training supports
- Identifying service delivery challenges and opportunities for improvement and supporting accountability to OCLA's and contractors' race equity commitments
This position will also perform other duties as assigned in consultation with the Eviction Defense Program Manager, the Eviction Defense/Reentry Programs Director, the OCLA Director, and the OCLA Director's designee.
QualificationsRequired QualificationsThis position may be filled by an attorney or a non-attorney professional with substantial experience in civil legal aid, housing justice, public program administration, contract oversight, or related systems work.
- Direct or administrative experience in civil legal aid, public defense, or other provision of legal services to low-income people.
- Demonstrate understanding of the impact of race, bias, discrimination, and differential treatment on marginalized communities, including Black, Indigenous, and people of color, individuals who identify as LGBTQIA2S or other sexual minorities, individuals with disabilities, immigrants, limited English-speaking persons, and others facing current and/or historical marginalization.
- Knowledge and understanding of courts, court systems, administrative, and related law and justice systems that affect low-income people.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite applications, especially Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
- Ability and willingness to periodically travel both in-state and out-of-state for work-related events.
Desired Qualifications- Familiarity with eviction proceedings and experience in tenant defense and housing advocacy, foreclosure prevention, or related housing stability work, especially Washington unlawful detainer proceedings.
- Experience managing contracts, grants, reporting requirements or contractor performance.
- Understanding of Washington's eviction prevention and tenant rights landscape.
Supplemental InformationHow to ApplyApplications for this recruitment will only be accepted electronically. Click the green "Apply" button in the upper right-hand corner to get started.
To be considered for this position you must include the following with your online application:
- Resume
- Cover letter which addresses qualifications as listed above
- A list of three (3) professional references
