Eviction Defense Program Counsel/Program Administrator

Position: 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

Agency

The Washington State Office of Civil Legal Aid (OCLA) is an independent judicial branch agency. Created with an understanding that the provision of legal aid services to indigent persons is an important component of the states responsibility to provide for the proper and effective administration of justice, OCLAs mission is to secure, invest and oversee the use of public funding for civil legal aid to low-income people in Washington State and to ensure accountability for public funds dedicated to the purpose.

Since 2005, OCLA has administered and overseen general civil legal aid in Washington. Today the agency also supports legal aid to victims of crime and domestic violence, children in foster care, kinship caregivers, indigent tenants facing eviction, and individuals reentering society following completion of their terms of incarceration.

Consistent with The Washington State Supreme Courts June 4, 2020 Statement to the Legal Community , OCLA acknowledges that it and its contracted civil legal aid providers operate in a law and justice system historically grounded in racism and that time and again has administered justice differentially depending on the racial identities of those involved. OCLA was an initial subscriber to the Washington Race Equity and Justice Acknowledgments and Commitments . As outlined in its Race Equity and Justice Statement of Purpose, OCLA is committed to being an active partner in carrying out the Washington State judicial branchs commitment to ensuring equity and justice for people and communities throughout our state.

Find out more about OCLA here

The Eviction Defense Programs

OCLAs 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.

Washingtons 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.

Reporting to the Eviction Defense Program Manager, this position will support the administration, oversight, and continuous improvement of OCLAs 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 OCLAs 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 Directors designee.

Required Qualifications

This 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 Washingtons eviction prevention and tenant rights landscape.

How to Apply

Applications 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