Current openings

Job description

The Heartland Center for Jobs and Freedom (HCJF) is a nonprofit legal organization that enforces housing and workplace rights for low-wage workers. We believe that working people of all races and backgrounds will have the power and influence to ensure that everyone can life a full life free of abuse, exploitation, and poverty. It is the mission of HCJF to create opportunities for tenants and workers to learn and exercise their rights, realize their collective power, and develop the leadership skills necessary to advocate for a racially and economically just society.

HCJF carries out this mission through five major programs: the Right to Counsel (RTC) Program, which handless 600 eviction cases each year; the Safe Homes for All Program, which works to eliminate unhealthy conditions in residential rental housing; the Stable Homes Program, which challenges private business attempts to unlawfully opt-out of affordability requirements imposed by the federal government; the Worker Power Project, which protects workers’ rights as they organize for unions and fight to regain stolen wages; and the Heartland Leadership and Action Committees, which collaborates with tenants and workers that served as our clients to lead grassroots and democratic mobilizations.

HCJF is seeing post-graduate legal fellows to join our team through project-based funding applications. These fellowships are ideal for candidates interested in public interest law, movement lawyering, and building advocacy and impact litigation that advances economic and housing justice.

All of our work is grounded in the belief that everyone deserves dignity, that housing is a human right, and that everyone who works deserves a livable wage. We are looking for fellows who are commited to community-centered advocacy, creative lawyering, and using the law as a tool to build power for workers and tenants.

Ideally, fellows will work in at least one of our Legal Programs listed below.

• Worker Power Program: Building advocacy programs and impact litigation on behalf of low-wage workers. This work will include developing cases involving wage theft, unlawful termination, and other workplace violations, supporting worker organizing efforts, conducting outreach and know-your-rights education, and helping build strategic litigation designed to improve conditions for low-wage workers broadly.

• Safe Homes Program: Supporting advocacy efforts relaated to uninhabitable living conditions. This work will include developing impact litigation, class actions, and demand letters to ensure families across Missouri have access to safe and healthy homes.

• Stable Homes Program: Contributing to advocacy focused on preserving stable, affordable housing and preventing displacement. This work will include collaborating with partner organizations to develop broader outreach and advocacy strategies that address systemic housing issues affecting low-income tenants.

• Eviction Defense Program: Direct representation of individuals and families facing eviction.

Position Qualifications:

• J.D. or expected to receive a J.D. by the spring of 2027

• Must take the July 2027 Bar exam and seek admission to the Missouri Bar; or for those already admitted to the bar in a different state, must be eligible to seek Missouri admission pursuant to SCR 2.110 or 2.111

• Be committed to working collaboratively and respectfully towards resolving obstacles and conflicts

• Self-started with the ability to manage multiple priorities and work independently

• Ability to work well under pressure with attention to detail

• Exceptional research, writing, and oral communication skills

• Demonstrated ability to conduct complex legal analysis and fact-finding

• Willingness and ability to occasionally work outside outside of regular business hours and to travel within Missouri

• Judicial clerkships, law review or journal experience, and/or experience litigating civil rights and civil liberties cases, desired

• Familiarity with and/or connection(s) to Missouri

• Deep committment to social justice, housing rights, and/or workers’ rights

• Cultural humility and community-centered adaptability

• Fluency in Spanish is preferred but not required

Compensation and Benefits:

This position is not funded by HCJF. Instead, it seeks a candidate interested in pursuing funding from an external source such as Skadden, Equal Justice Works, Justice Catalyst, or law schools.

To Apply:

Applicants interested in applying for project-based fellowships and partnering with our organization should contact us to discuss potential projects and proposals. HCJF will work with candidates to craft the application and explain a proposed project.

• Email a cover letter, resume, writing sample, and three professional references to patriciaokonta@jobsandfreedom.org

• Please put “Legal Fellow” in the subject line of your email

• Please list all fellowships you are eligible to apply to, including law-school-specific fellowships

• Please state in your cover letter where you saw this job posting, HCJF program interest(s), and any potential fellowship project ideas.

HCJF is an equal opportunity employer and complies with all applicable laws prohibiting discrimination on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, religion, sex, national origin, age, ancestry, disability, status as a veteran, sexual orientation, marital or parental statuus, gender identity, or gender expression.

Tenant Advocate for Eviction Defense Team - Spanish speakers strongly encouraged to apply

Location: Kansas City, Missouri

Posted: 05/12/2026

Priority deadline: Open until filled

About Heartland Center for Jobs and Freedom: The Heartland Center for Jobs and Freedom (HCJF) is a nonprofit legal organization that enforces housing and workplace rights. We are seeking a tenant advocate to support the work of our eviction defense team following its recent growth. Our seven eviction defense attorneys handle cases through Kansas City’s “Right to Counsel” program, with the support of a dedicated paralegal. The team prevents homelessness and keeps families housed by stopping the vast majority of evictions faced by our clients.

The tenant advocate will play an important role in collaborating with attorneys to assess tenant-clients’ strengths and challenges and help navigate barriers to successful resolution of their eviction cases, including in finding alternative housing, securing rental assistance, and connecting to other social services, etc. The tenant advocate will also act as a communications liaison between attorneys and tenant-clients and will keep attorneys updated regarding progress and challenges. This position will involve significant interaction with tenants facing eviction including some home visits and meetings in the community as needed. Ability to speak Spanish is a major plus.

We are a collaborative and supportive staff committed to winning better housing and jobs for all. Our vision is that working people of all races and backgrounds will have the power and influence to ensure that everyone can live a full life free of abuse, exploitation, and poverty.

Preferred Qualifications:

· 2+ years’ experience in legal or social work fields and/or higher education (bachelor’s degree or higher)

· Strong attention to detail and accuracy

· Comfort working with and supporting people in crisis, including people who may be struggling with mental health issues

· Appreciation for client-centered work across diverse populations with varying life experiences

· Ability to work collaboratively with coworkers

· Strong organizational, time management skills with the ability to multi-task and prioritize

· Excellent communication and interpersonal skills

· Fluency in Spanish is strongly preferred but not required

A brief overview of the position and duties:

· Collaborate with attorneys in assessing tenant-clients’ housing needs and goals

· Help attorneys communicate with tenant-clients through phone, text, email, and in-person meetings

· Provide support needed for attorneys and tenant-clients to successfully resolve their eviction cases, including in securing rental assistance, locating alternative housing, connecting to other social services and resources, etc.

· Conduct courthouse outreach to unrepresented tenants facing eviction

· Occasionally fill in when paralegal is out of office to assist attorneys in case tasks and preparation

· If fluent in Spanish, provide interpretation and translation support to non-Spanish speaking attorneys and other staff

Benefits: We offer health insurance, dental insurance, vision insurance and life insurance. Staff start at 15 days of vacation, 10 days of sick time, 2 personal days, and 13 paid holidays annually. We offer retirement accounts with an employer match.

Pay: This position pays $55,000+, depending on experience.

Job Type: Full-time, in person at our office located in Kansas City (Westport area).

To Apply: Please submit your resume and cover letter to: andrewzonoozi@jobsandfreedom.org.

EEO & At-Will Employment Statement

Heartland Center is an at-will, equal opportunity employer committed to building a diverse, inclusive, and equitable workplace. We are an equal opportunity employer and comply with all applicable laws prohibiting discrimination on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, religion, sex, national origin, age, ancestry, disability, status as a veteran, sexual orientation, marital or parental status, gender identity, or gender expression.