Community Outreach Attorney

EDC is seeking a Community Outreach Attorney to expand access to housing legal services across San Francisco’s historically underserved neighborhoods, including Bayview/Hunters Point, the Mission, the Excelsior, and the Western Addition. This position combines direct tenant counseling, community-based outreach and education, and limited-scope legal representation. The ideal candidate is passionate about housing justice, thrives in fast-paced, collaborative environments, and values culturally responsive engagement with community partners.

This is a dynamic, community-facing position ideal for an attorney who is passionate about housing justice, thrives in collaborative, fast-paced environments, and brings cultural humility, strong cultural competency, and a relationship-centered approach to working with tenants and community partners.

Key Responsibilities: The Community Outreach Attorney provides counseling and education on federal, state, and local tenant protections (including eviction procedures, fair housing, habitability, and subsidized housing) and ensures EDC’s satellite offices offer 5–10 hours of public counseling per week. Key responsibilities include:

• Provide tenant counseling and legal advice at off-site legal clinics.
• Build and maintain partnerships with community-based organizations to deliver workshops and know-your-rights trainings.
• Mentor staff and volunteers providing counseling at off-site clinics.
• Offer limited-scope representation at Mandatory Settlement Conferences and coordinate attorney coverage.
• Identify emerging housing issues and support data-driven, equity-focused program improvements.

At EDC, we work to protect housing stability and provide meaningful access to legal and financial support for San Francisco tenants facing eviction. First and foremost, candidates must share our commitment to high-quality, client-centered services and bring strong professional skills, sound judgment, and the ability to thrive in a fast-paced, collaborative environment. Our work often involves supporting individuals and families through difficult and stressful moments. Success in this role requires empathy, professionalism, cultural competency, and a calm, solutions-focused approach to problem-solving.

Minimum qualifications:

• Active membership in good standing with the California Bar.
• Two (2) or more years of legal experience, preferably in landlord-tenant, housing law, or public interest legal services providing direct legal counseling or representation to clients in crisis or under significant stress.
• Minimum one (1) year of experience with community outreach, community engagements, or collaboration with community-based organizations.
• Knowledgeable about the unlawful detainer process in San Francisco and familiarity with state and local housing laws, including the San Francisco Rent Ordinance, Tenant Right to Counsel (TRC) program, eviction protections and procedures, fair housing, habitability, and subsidized housing programs.
• Excellent legal research, writing, and oral advocacy skills, including the ability to provide clear, empathetic, and accurate information over the phone.
• Understanding of systemic housing inequities, historical discrimination, and contemporary housing justice efforts.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent experience) in a related field (e.g., Community Development, Public Policy, or Nonprofit Management).
• 1+ years of experience conducting community outreach or trainings, especially in underserved communities.
• Experience collaborating with community coalitions or cross-agency partners.
• Proficiency in Spanish, Cantonese, Mandarin, or another language commonly spoken in San Francisco is a plus

UNION: EDC staff are represented by the National Organization of Legal Services Workers (NOLSW, UAW Local 2320, AFL-CIO). This position is a union position and is subject to the terms of the collective bargaining agreement.

WORKING CONDITIONS: The position requires working with individuals during moments of extreme stress and instability. The position also requires the provision of culturally sensitive and empathetic services. Some evening and weekend work may be required. EDC adheres to health and safety protocols established by the San Francisco Department of Public Health, the CDC, and federal and state OSHA requirements.

This is a hybrid role with an expectation to be on-site at least three (3) days per week, depending on the needs of the organization and of the Litigation team. EDC maintains a three-day in-office policy for all employees. Staff are expected to be available and responsive via email, phone, and video conferencing during standard business hours (Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.) while working remotely, and to communicate with their supervisor when attending off-site meetings or obligations. Remote work equipment and an internet/utilities stipend are provided in accordance with the needs of the role and department.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Prolonged sitting/standing.
• Extensive typing/data entry.
• Close visual acuity to prepare and analyze data, text, and figures.
• Prolonged computer use.

DIRECT REPORTS: The Community Outreach Attorney will not supervise any employee.

COMPENSATION: This is a full-time, exempt position and is not eligible for overtime pay in accordance with applicable federal and state law.

Pay Range: $80,000–$90,000.00 annually, in accordance with the NOLSW-UAW Local 2320 and EDC Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).

Salary may be increased by $1,000 per year of relevant prior experience (up to 10 years), as provided under the CBA for applicants hired into bargaining unit positions. This experience-based increase in pay applies only at the time of hire for external candidates entering bargaining unit positions.

EDC IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER: Eviction Defense Collaborative (EDC) is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to building an inclusive and respectful workplace where everyone is treated fairly, regardless of background or identity. Employment decisions at EDC are made based on organizational needs, job requirements, and individual qualifications — without regard to race, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. This commitment applies to all aspects of employment, including recruitment, hiring, compensation, training, promotion, and termination. EDC does not tolerate discrimination or harassment of any kind.

We are reviewing applications on a rolling basis.

EDC offers a generous benefits package for full-time employees, including:

• 100% employer-paid medical, dental, vision, and life insurance
• 401(k) retirement plan with employer contributions
• Generous paid time off, including vacation, sick leave, and holidays
• Commuter benefits
• Professional development opportunities

Proficiency in Spanish, Cantonese, Mandarin, or another language commonly spoken in San Francisco is a plus.

Multilingual Stipend: EDC offers a multilingual stipend of $125 per month per test ($1,500 per year)-whether written or oral- for specific roles that regularly use oral or written communication with clients or related parties in Spanish, Tagalog, Cantonese, or Mandarin. To qualify, employees must pass an oral and/or written test approved by EDC's Labor-Management Committee. This position is eligible for the multilingual stipend.