In 2022, Detroit became the 15th city in the country to enact a Right to Counsel for tenants facing eviction. Located within the City of Detroit Law Department, the Detroit Office of Eviction Defense works to implement this law by providing eligible City of Detroit residents facing loss of housing access to qualified lawyers. The OED’s goal is to increase access to justice, prevent displacement, stabilize communities, and ensure housing equity in Detroit.

The Office of Eviction Defense (“OED”) Program Manager is a professional level position that reports to the OED’s Executive Director. The program manager supports the work of implementing the right to counsel in evictions cases in Detroit. This support includes coordination with local service providers, advocacy organizations, and the 36th District Court; working to ensure the success of internal functions while maximizing the benefit provided program clients; and monitoring grant requirements and deliverables.

• Act as a project administrator maintaining real-time awareness of the number of clients served; the dollars spent while assessing program effectiveness.
• Ensure that client eligibility processes are in place and that only eligible clients are receiving legal and case management services.
• Maintain regular and documented contact with local organizations involved in the day-to-day operations of the Right to Counsel program.
• Ensure that key objectives with and for the client over the course of the defined case management period are met.
• Assist with coordinating outreach and education on the OED’s services and access to Right to Counsel.
• Research, identify, and develop referral information for services beyond those provided by the OED that respond to client inquiries and needs.
• Participate in regular meetings with Law Department leadership and key organizational leadership to assess program effectiveness and if necessary, oversee the implementation of necessary change/adjustment.

• Commitment to social justice and desire to assist indigent clients, preferred experience working in the housing and/or access to justice context.
• 3 to 4 years of Project Management or program development/leadership.
• Self-motivated with the ability to set priorities and manage multiple tasks under minimal supervision in an effective and efficient manner.
• Demonstrated database skills; ability to learn multiple database systems used by government agencies and partner organizations.
• Ability to work in collaboration with legal service providers, community-based organizations and government agencies.
• Strong administrative skills, including attention to detail, ability to multi-task and manage different areas of work effectively, and well organized.
• Bachelor’s degree with a major in project management, business management, organizational development, urban planning, social work, public administration or a related field.