University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Law

UMKC's School of Law is seeking applicants for a Part-Time Fellow to work with the Project Attorney and Clear My Record Team members to complete the grant received from the Missouri Foundation for Health to meet with stakeholders, collect data, and make proposals for how expungement in Missouri can be made more fair, effective and accessible. This will include a mid-grant change to focus more on collateral consequences as the problem in need of solutions, rather than just on weaknesses in expungement law and procedure, and to make recommendations using a system change approach. There are two key components to this position: 1) finish research, collect and organize data collected throughout the grant, conduct necessary research, and assist the Project Director/PI in preparing the final report and closing out the grant, and 2) assist the Director in assuring that, by the end of the extension, all cases have been properly completed and closed and that all records will be properly stored until the designated destruction dates.

Specifically, responsibilities of the Fellow-Project Assistant will include:

• Help bring all open Clinic cases to a successful completion: under direction of the Clinic Attorney, monitor progress of cases; help resolve service issues, draft proposed orders, hearing questions, and other necessary documents; meet with clients to prepare for hearings, attend hearings as needed, follow up to ensure cases are properly closed and send closing letters, help prepare case files (paper and digital) for storage, determine and catalogue appropriate destruction dates and contact information.
• Prepare for and help draft final grant report: conduct legal and policy research, attend and document interviews and meetings to collect information, gather and organize data and information collected throughout the grant, assist in drafting and editing final report.
• Assist technology contractors working on the law tracker, petition generator and public expungement tool as legally liaison: engage in legal research in analysis, arrange for testing of technology prototypes, make recommendations on changes necessary to enhance usability of these tools by lawyers and expungement seekers.
• Under the direction of the Clinic Attorney, handle incoming communications with the Project: monitor phone, email and text line, engage with callers, draft responses to inquiries, identify and send materials, where appropriate, referral calls to Clinic Attorney.
• Update existing process materials and Pro Se guides, take the lead in preparing guides for other types of expungement cases, including arrest expungement and expungement cases under statutes other than * 610.140.
• Update website and social media: provide information for expungement seekers with referrals to the resources the Project will continue to maintain, educate people throughout Missouri on expungement law and policy, provide information on availability of other resources.
• Follow progress of pending bills relating to expungement
• Participate in, and, where appropriate, help plan and coordinate expungement programs and events.

Minimum Qualifications

• J.D. Degree required
• Demonstrated knowledge and experience working with Missouri expungement law and procedure

Preferred Qualifications

• Strong written and oral communication skills, legal research ability, and problem-solving
• Experience working with Microsoft Office, Google Suite, databases, website management, e-mail, social media, and other platforms; case management systems
• Ability to both work independently and take direction

Handling of Application Materials

After initial review by the committee all uploaded materials may be shared with all faculty in the prospective home department. For affiliations and joint appointments materials may be shared with all faculty in all departments involved.

• Position is half-time (20 hours per week) - NOT eligible for benefits
• Days and times are flexible but must be arranged in advance weekly with supervisor
• Position involves primarily in-person, onsite work, but may include remote/online work approved and arranged in advance with supervisor
• Position will begin as soon as possible and will end on November 30, 2024, but is subject to availability of work and continued grant funding
• Salary is $2,500 monthly

This position is not eligible for University benefits. Individuals in non benefit eligible positions may choose to participate in the Tax Deferred Annuity Plan (403b). For information about this plan, please visit the Faculty & Staff Benefits website at https://www.umsystem.edu/totalrewards/benefits.

Values Commitment

We value the uniqueness of every individual and strive to ensure each person's success. Contributions from individuals with diverse backgrounds, experiences and perspectives promote intellectual pluralism and enable us to achieve the excellence that we seek in learning, research and engagement. This commitment makes our university a better place to work, learn and innovate.

In your application materials, please discuss your experiences and expertise that support these values and enrich our missions of teaching, research, and engagement.

Equal Employment Opportunity

The University of Missouri System is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Equal Opportunity is and shall be provided for all employees and applicants for employment on the basis of their demonstrated ability and competence without unlawful discrimination on the basis of their race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, disability, or protected veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable state or federal law. This policy applies to all employment decisions including, but not limited to, recruiting, hiring, training, promotions, pay practices, benefits, disciplinary actions and terminations. For more information, visit https://www.umsystem.edu/ums/hr/eeo or call Human Resources at 816-235-1621.

To request ADA accommodations, please call the Office of Equity & Title IX at 816-235-6910.