Justice Center Director

Description

WHO WE ARE: California Rural Legal Assistance, Inc. (CRLA) is an anti-poverty law firm that dismantles unjust systems through community lawyering in California’s historically rural areas. We work with people priced out of private legal representation so they can uphold civil rights in housing, employment, health, and public education. Through our 17 Rural Justice Centers, communities can access a broad range of legal tools, including direct legal services, place-based advocacy to expand equity in civic institutions, and specialized litigation to advance civil rights.

Position: Justice Center Director
Reports to: Associate Director – Rural Justice Program
Application Deadline: Open until filled
Location: El Centro, CA
Term of Employment: Regular, Full-Time
Other: FLSA Exempt, Non-Union-Eligible Position

Position Overview:

The Justice Center Director leads the operations and advocacy efforts of a CRLA Justice Center. CRLA’s Rural Justice Program provides direct legal services, place-based advocacy to expand equity in civic institutions, and specialized litigation to advance civil rights via a network of 17 Rural Justice Centers. The Justice Center Director is a critical leadership role, ensuring alignment with CRLA’s community lawyering principles and systemic advocacy goals. This role involves supervising a multidisciplinary team, managing a personal caseload, and fostering local partnerships to address systemic inequities and empower communities. In addition to their direct reports, the Director ensures the Justice Center is an equity-focused space where clients and community members can access the full range of CRLA services and resources.

Key Responsibilities:

• Team Leadership: Supervise attorneys, community workers, and support staff to deliver impactful advocacy. Lead team meetings, case reviews, and strategy discussions. Develop office workplans and other tools to guide and align staff efforts.

• Community Engagement: Build trust and partnerships with local organizations and community leaders to inform advocacy efforts and expand CRLA’s reach. Serve as a community leader and trusted partner in external community spaces. Represent CRLA in public forums, policy discussions, and community events.

• Direct Advocacy: Design and oversee initiatives that empower community members to participate in identifying systemic issues and crafting solutions, including facilitating and supporting a local advisory committee (Comité). Maintain an active caseload, contributing to both affirmative litigation, policy advocacy, and other systemic advocacy efforts.
• Justice Center Operations: Oversee the implementation of annual work plans, ensuring compliance with CRLA policies, LSC regulations, and ethical standards. Oversee building management, ensuring facilities requests are addressed. Ensure collaboration across CRLA staff co-located at the Justice Center.
• Collaboration: Facilitate resource sharing and collaboration with other Justice Centers and CRLA programs.