Job Opportunities

About the Center for Heirs’ Property Preservation

The Center for Heirs’ Property Preservation® (CHPP™), a nonprofit organization established in February 2005, has a mission of protecting heirs’ property (HP) – a form of landownership – and promoting the sustainable use of land to provide increased economic benefit to low-wealth families through education, advocacy, legal services, and forestry technical assistance primarily in the counties of Aiken, Allendale, Bamberg. Barnwell, Berkeley, Calhoun, Charleston, Chesterfield, Clarendon, Colleton, Darlington, Dillion, Dorchester, Florence, Georgetown, Hampton, Horry, Jasper, Kershaw, Lee, Lexington, Marlboro, Marion, Orangeburg, Richland, Sumter, and Williamsburg in South Carolina.

Who We Are

CHPP™, a statewide nonprofit organization established in January 2005, has a mission to protect heirs’ property and promote the sustainable use of land to provide increased economic benefit to low-wealth families. CHPP accomplishes this mission by providing education, advocacy, legal services, and forestry technical assistance to these landowners.

In addition, CHPP. has a national and regional leadership role in providing expertise on the issue of heirs’ property and in developing business models for best practices in the work needed to address the heirs’ property issue in all its complexity.

How to apply 

Applicants should send via email to:

CHPPHR@heirsproperty.org       Attention: Sonya Laribo, Human Resources

  • a cover letter that states why you are interested in the open position, office location, and salary requirements
  • a resume
  • The names, phone numbers, and e-mail addresses of three professional references

NOTE: Applications are not complete without a cover letter, references, and resume. 

No calls, please, regarding any opportunity; however, feel free to view the Center’s website at www.heirsproperty.org for additional information.

 

Equal Employment Opportunity

CHPP™ is an equal-opportunity employer. Following Federal Law, this organization is prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability. (Not all prohibited bases apply.)

 

DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT 

POSITION ANNOUNCEMENT

Description 

CHPP™ is a rapidly growing results-oriented, small team workplace seeking a smart, energetic, and committed individual to join the Development Team as the Director of Development. In coordination with the Chief Partnership Officer (CPO) and development team, the Director of Development position will serve as a lead in cultivating and developing strategic resource development, including, but not limited to, individual and major gifts programs, annual fund, planned giving, special events, and capital campaigns. The Director of Development will lead the organization, reporting directly to the Chief Partnerships Officer (CPO). The Director of Development will work closely with the CPO and board to support the organization’s overall mission and ensure that ample unrestricted program funds are generated.

Essential Job Functions

  • Responsible for the fund development for these purposes: annual fund and operating support, endowment fund, planned giving, major giving, and future capital campaigns.
  • Attend staff and board meetings, advocate meetings, task forces, and other community meetings when needed that help the Center accomplish its mission.
  • Provide regular progress reports to the Chief Partnerships Officer and Leadership team, including results to date, recent activity, priority contacts to be made, and next actions.
  • Execute the fundraising plan to support the goals defined in the strategic plan.
  • This position is responsible for meeting annual revenue projections and donor retention KPIs.
  • Maintain compliance with all company policies and procedures.
  • Collaborate with the Director of Communications to establish messaging and materials for donors.
  • Develop and oversee a comprehensive individual donor and major donor pipeline, including donor identification, cultivation, acknowledgment, and donor relations.
  • Support the Chief Partnerships Officer in retaining and cultivating new major donors.
  • Must be able to work on several projects concurrently while meeting deadlines.
  • Perform other duties as assigned or requested by the Chief Partnerships Officer.

Desired Experience, Education, Skills, and Knowledge

  • A minimum of five (5) years of direct development experience and solicitation, preferably in a nonprofit environment, with extensive knowledge of fundraising techniques and sources of funding for nonprofit organizations
  • Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration, Communications, or related field.
  • Willingness to travel will be essential.
  • The position requires knowledge of and experience in major gift techniques, including planned giving, corporate and foundation grants, and stewardship.
  • Demonstrated success in meeting organization fundraising goals, through diverse funding streams.
  • Excellent written and oral communication skills.
  • Ability to work independently and as a member of a team.
  • Computer proficiency required in Advanced Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint
  • Experience using a CRM (customer relationship management) system like Salesforce or Raisers Edge.
  • Has a thorough understanding of practices, policies, procedures, rules, and regulations governing the Center.
  • Must possess a valid SC driver’s license.
  • Empathetic to the special values and challenges of HP owners and other historically underserved landowners.
  • Has a willingness to engage in outreach work in the project service area.
  • Has a strong commitment and belief in the concept of alternative dispute resolution.
  • Grant writing experience is preferred.
  • Excellent interpersonal, analytical, and problem-solving ability.
  • Must exercise discretion when handling confidential information.
  • Must genuinely like interacting with people of diverse backgrounds by placing customers at ease, being proactive, and being patient in building relationships.

Compensation 

Hiring Range: $65,000 – $70,000

Compensation consists of (1) a base salary that is dependent upon the level of experience and (2) benefits (i.e., paid leave, company-paid health and dental insurance, and retirement contribution).

 

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT SPECIALIST (FULL-TIME) 

POSITION ANNOUNCEMENT

Description:

Location: Charleston Office – Orangeburg Office – Columbia Area Office

Schedule: In-person/hybrid/remote work options available

Submission Deadline: Applications will be considered until positions are filled.

Job Summary:

The Center for Heir’s Property Preservation® (CHPP), a statewide non-profit organization providing education, legal services, and advocacy to low-income families in South Carolina, seeks full-time Community Engagement Specialists to work in our offices in Charleston, Orangeburg, and the Columbia area.

This position will conduct community outreach and education activities. The Community Engagement Specialist will schedule, coordinate, and implement outreach events within their assigned service area. The position also requires full participation in community outreach efforts and events, including evening and weekend work. The initial primary service area for the following position will be in the three areas listed below. All CHPP Community Engagement Specialists may be requested to assist with outreach in any of the Center’s service areas.

  • Center’s Inland Region – Allendale, Bamberg, Clarendon, Orangeburg, and Sumter Counties 
  • The Santee Region – Berkeley, Charleston, Georgetown, and Williamsburg Counties 
  • Center’s Midland Region – Chesterfield, Kershaw, and Richland Counties 

Responsibilities: 

  • Assists in maintaining the calendar of outreach activities, including community events, workshops, appearances, and other communication opportunities.
  • Recruits and trains volunteers for the Woodland Community Advocate Institute.
  • Helps plan and implement the SC Rural and Limited Resource Landowner Symposium yearly.
  • Supports collaboration with community relationships to strengthen and expand the representation in assigned counties.
  • Provide timely reports as required by the Community Engagement Manager, such as data entry into Salesforce, filing of attendance sheets; generating letters to seminar attendees, and providing additional information requested by attendees.
  • The position requires extensive in-state travel and some evening and weekend work.

Qualifications: 

  • A minimum of an associate degree in business, marketing, or a related field is required; a bachelor’s degree is preferred.
  • 1 year of experience in community outreach, communications, marketing, or related nonprofit work.
  • Public speaking skills and experience in using social media tools to support program outreach activities.
  • Experience with CRM software, Salesforce, preferred.
  • Basic computer skills are required. Familiarity with Microsoft Office programs (Word, Excel, SharePoint, Teams) is strongly preferred.

Salary & Benefits Information: 

Hiring Salary Range: $37,500 – $40,000, Salary commensurate with qualifications and experience.

CHPP’s 37.50-hour workweek offers flexibility so that employees can maintain a work-life balance while serving the Center’s clients and mission. The excellent benefits package includes employer-paid health and dental coverage, up to 16 paid holidays, 20 days of accrued vacation and sick time, disability, and life insurance options. The employer also pays Annual Bar Dues and annual professional development ($1,200 per year), a cellphone stipend, a company laptop, and mileage reimbursement.

 

STAFF ATTORNEY (FULL-TIME) 

POSITION ANNOUNCEMENT

Description: 

Location: Charleston Office – Orangeburg Office – Columbia Area Office

Schedule: In-person/hybrid work option available; in-person court appearances required.

Submission Deadline: Applications will be considered until positions are filled.

Job Summary: 

The Center for Heirs’ Property Preservation® (CHPP), a statewide non-profit organization providing education, legal services, and advocacy to low-income families in South Carolina, seeks full-time Staff Attorneys to work in our offices in Charleston, Orangeburg, and the Columbia area.

The Staff Attorney will conduct client intakes, provide consultations, and direct legal representation on legal matters pertaining to heirs’ property, tenancy in common rights, probate estate administration, interstate inheritance, chain of title issues, tax sales, quiet title action, land partition matters, and the drafting of Wills and Advanced Directives. The position also requires full participation in community outreach efforts and events within the Center’s service area, including evening and weekend work.

Responsibilities: 

  • Conducting client interviews, consultations, and fact-gathering.
  • Knowledge of laws and regulations relative to Heirs’ Property.
  • Knowledgeable of the administration of probate estates and real property matters.
  • Analyzing complex legal situations of clients and determining the appropriate strategy for obtaining favorable outcomes for clients.
  • Drafting pleadings, written discovery, correspondence, and memoranda.
  • Translate complex legal issues into terms clients can understand.
  • Has a strong commitment and belief in the concept of alternative dispute resolution.
  • Participating in community outreach and presentations.

Qualifications: 

  • Juris Doctorate and admitted to practice in South Carolina (or eligible to be admitted)
  • Completion of the 403 requirements or ability to complete within 3 months.
  • One year of experience in handling the administration of probate estates and Petitions to Determine Heir’s actions and familiarity with the quiet title process preferred but not required.
  • Demonstrates interest in the area of property law and working with low-income individuals.
  • Able to communicate effectively, be empathetic, and understand the diverse clients of the organization.
  • Demonstrable commitment to social justice and experience working with disadvantaged and/or low-income populations are strongly preferred.
  • Excellent writing, editing, and proofreading skills, with the ability to be detail-oriented.
  • Basic computer skills are required. Familiarity with Microsoft Office programs (Word, Excel, SharePoint, Teams) is strongly preferred.

Salary & Benefits Information: 

Salary commensurate with qualifications and experience: The hiring salary is $58,000+ per year, which will increase based on experience.

CHPP’s 37.50-hour workweek offers flexibility so that employees can maintain a work-life balance while serving the Center’s clients and mission. The excellent benefits package includes employer-paid health and dental coverage, up to 16 paid holidays, 20 days of accrued vacation and sick time, disability, and life insurance options. The employer also pays Annual Bar Dues and annual professional development ($1,200 per year), provides a cellphone stipend, provides a company laptop, and reimburses employees for mileage.