About California Rural Legal Assistance Foundation (CRLAF): We are a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization established in 1981 based in Sacramento, with satellite offices throughout the state. CRLAF's mission is to achieve social justice and equity in partnership with farmworkers and the underserved in rural communities through community, legal, and legislative advocacy. Our goal is to help the rural poor improve their economic, social, and political conditions and become more civically engaged in their communities. We provide community outreach and education, legal services, and public policy advocacy on issues important to rural communities. We work in the areas of immigration and citizenship, labor and employment, housing, education, health, workplace safety, and environmental justice.

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JOB ANNOUNCEMENT

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ENTRY-LEVEL HOUSING STAFF ATTORNEY POSITION

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CRLAF seeks a Tenants’ Rights Staff Attorney to join our Labor & Civil Rights Litigation Unit

 

Position: Tenants' Rights Staff Attorney (full-time, non-exempt position)

Location: Sacramento, California

Position Start Date: Immediately

 

California’s rural populations experience a dramatic justice gap. The COVID-19 pandemic further aggravated the precarious economic and housing situation of mixed-status families. Unique among legal aid organizations, CRLAF represents clients regardless of their immigration status, and focuses on class action cases that assist hundreds of tenants at a time. CRLAF represents farmworkers and other low-wage rural workers and their families in landlord tenant disputes such as: issues around habitability, wrongful evictions, employer-owned housing matters, labor camps, and mobile park related matters, including park conversions.

 

The Staff Attorney will play a critical role in the continued development and implementation of the housing project, including advocacy and litigation on behalf of low-income tenants in rural California, community education and leadership development, as well as collaboration with other governmental and nonprofit agencies.

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The Staff Attorney will be responsible for working with CRLAF’s Litigation Unit to develop new cases and represent clients in existing cases ranging from class action and impact litigation, to individual representation and other duties as assigned. Although CRLAF represents clients throughout California, this position will focus on housing cases and issues in the Sacramento Valley.

 

Primary Responsibilities:  

• Identifying and handling housing cases for impact litigation.

• Directly representing low-income tenants in unlawful detainer trials.

• Interviewing low-income tenants and providing brief legal services as needed.

• Providing Know Your Rights Presentations to community-based organizations and tenants.

• Creating and maintaining relationships with local community based organizations.

 

Qualifications: 

• Candidates should have a JD and membership in the California State Bar, or with bar membership pending.

• Minimum 1-year experience in housing law or public interest litigation is preferred, but not required. 

• Demonstrated knowledge or interest in issues relating to tenants’ rights.

• Strong organizational skills.

• Ability to work independently and as part of a dynamic team.

• Strong community outreach and training skills.

• Culturally sensitive and works well with diverse, low-income populations.

• Self-starter, able to meet deadlines and perform multiple tasks with attention to detail.

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

• Prior advocacy and/or litigation experience preferred.

• Willingness to conduct training and outreach activities in the community as needed.

• Ability and willingness to travel as needed for casework and client meetings.

• Spanish/English fluency strongly preferred.

 

Compensation:

Compensation is based on a public interest salary scale for attorneys with 0 to 3 years of experience, between $65,500 and $70,000 annually. Generous benefits package includes medical, dental, vision, and life insurance; paid holidays, vacation, and sick leave; law school loan repayment; and 401(k).

 

Temporary COVID-19 Remote Work: 

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, CRLAF team members are primarily working remotely and under detailed health and safety protocols to minimize risk of exposure. Though reopening our local offices is an evolving plan, we anticipate remaining mostly remote throughout much of 2023. All employees are expected to be available to travel to CRLAF offices and service locations as needed and in compliance with public health advisories.

 

Application Information: 

Please address resume, writing sample, and cover letter to Claudia Guzman and email to jobs@crlaf.org. For questions, please call (916) 446-7904 ext. 132. Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled.

 

Equal Opportunity Employer:

California Rural Legal Assistance Foundation is an equal opportunity employer. We believe everyone has something important to contribute. Respecting individual differences is an integral part of our culture and we endeavor to make our differences work for us to achieve our mission.

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JOB ANNOUNCEMENT

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PROGRAM COORDINATOR

 

CRLAF seeks a Program Coordinator to join our Immigration Unit

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Position: Program Coordinator (full-time, non-exempt position)

Location: Sacramento, California

Position Start Date: Immediately

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CRLA Foundation is hiring a Program Coordinator for its Afghan Legal Services Project (ALSP). The position will be in our Sacramento office and will be responsible for increasing the effectiveness and efficiency of the Immigration Team’s service delivery and coalition building work to serve the immigration legal needs of Afghan evacuees. This position is remote until CRLAF’s Sacramento office reopens to the public.

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Job Responsibilities:

• Regularly track deliverables for the ALSP grant through data entry and compiling reports.

• Monitor budgets, invoices, and other financial records to ensure compliance with the ALSP grant expenditure requirements and restrictions.

• Assist with updating and maintaining records in client management database.

• Manage communications with clients and partner organizations.

• Update social media platforms including website, Facebook, and Twitter.

• Coordinate media requests on behalf of the immigration department as they arise.

• Perform administrative duties such as responding to intake inquiries, scheduling appointments, and making appropriate referrals to other nonprofit organizations.

• Work collaboratively with CRLA Foundation employees, interns, and volunteers.

• Assist with other administrative and development work of the organization.

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Qualifications:

• Demonstrated commitment to social justice and the empowerment of immigrant communities.

• Experience working with low-income, non-English speaking families.

• Proficient in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), Google Drive (Docs, Spreadsheets), electronic spreadsheets, and basic computer file management skills.

• Previous experience working with sensitive, private, or confidential customer/client information or documents highly preferred.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

• Attention to detail and problem-solving skills.

• Excellent time management skills and ability to multi-task or prioritize assignments.

• Ability to work in a team-focused and multicultural work environment.

• Fluency in English and Dari or Pashto preferred.

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Compensation:

Compensation is between $49,150 and $55,900 annually, based on related experience. Generous benefits package includes medical, dental, vision, and life insurance; paid holidays, vacation, and sick leave; law school loan repayment; and 401(k).

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Temporary COVID-19 Remote Work:

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, CRLAF team members are primarily working remotely and under detailed health and safety protocols to minimize risk of exposure. Though reopening our local offices is an evolving plan, we anticipate remaining mostly remote throughout much of 2023. All employees are expected to be available to travel to CRLAF offices and service locations as needed and in compliance with public health advisories.

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To Apply:

If interested, please email cover letter, resume, and a list of 3 professional references to jobs@crlaf.org. Please address the cover letter to “Hiring Committee” and write “ALSP Program Coordinator” in the email subject line. Applications will be reviewed and accepted until the position is filled.

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Equal Opportunity Employer:

California Rural Legal Assistance Foundation is an equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, national origin, citizenship status, color, religion, gender identity and/or expression, physical or mental disability, nationality, sexual orientation, marital status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law.

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LAW CLERK ANNOUNCEMENT

 

SUMMER 2023 CLERKSHIP

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CRLAF seeks a Law Clerk to join our Immigration Unit

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California Rural Legal Assistance Foundation (CRLAF) ’s Sacramento office seeks law students with a strong commitment to public interest to help provide legal assistance and representation to low-income immigrants in the Central Valley.

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Position: Law Clerk (full-time, volunteer position)

Location: Sacramento, California

Position Start Date: Summer, 2023

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Duties and Responsibilities:

Summer 2023 Law Clerks can expect to gain practical experience working directly with clients in CRLAF’s Immigration and Citizenship project, in the areas of DACA, naturalization, family-based visas, T Visas, U Visas, VAWA, removal defense, SIJS, TPS, asylum, and other forms of immigration relief. Assignments may include client intakes, assisting or representing clients in their applications for immigration benefits, conducting client interviews, completing legal research and writing, assisting in free legal workshops, and giving community presentations.

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Requirements and Qualifications:

The Summer Clerkship is a full-time, 37.5 hours per week for 10 weeks position. Although the clerkship is an unfunded position, we will work closely with the selected applicants in seeking academic credit or outside funding. We offer a flexible summer work schedule to accommodate any personal needs or travel plans. Applicants should have completed their first year of law school. They must possess a passion for social justice and immigrants’ rights, and sensitivity to working with low-income immigrants. Special consideration will be given to students who are fluent in Spanish, Dari, or Pashto. This position is hybrid and based out of CRLAF's Sacramento office.

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To Apply: Please send a cover letter and resume to jobs@crlaf.org. Please write “CRLAF Summer 2023 Clerkship Application” in the subject line.

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Equal Opportunity Employer: 

CRLAF is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We value diversity and will not discriminate against any employee or applicant on the basis of race, ethnicity, color, national origin, immigration status, gender, religion, age, sexual orientation, marital status, veteran status, ability, medical condition, or any other status protected by federal, state, or local law. Individuals with DACA are encouraged to apply!