Director of Racial Justice and Equity

POSITION: Director of Racial Justice and Equity

LOCATION: Ron Olson Justice Center*

SALARY: $129,000 - $150,000/ DOE with excellent benefits

AVAILABILITY: Immediately

APPLICATION DEADLINE: Continuous until position is filled.

Are you passionate about social and racial justice, and ready to build programs that directly address the systemic and intersectional inequities faced by communities of color, immigrants or those with limited English proficiency, and the LGBTQ community, people with disabilities, then LAFLA is the place for you! We are currently accepting applications for the position of Director of Racial Justice and Equity.

The Organization: LAFLA is a nonprofit law firm that protects and advances the rights of the most underserved—leveling the playing field and ensuring that everyone can have access to the justice system. With more than 90 years of service, LAFLA is the first and most experienced legal aid organization in Greater Los Angeles. LAFLA has more than 200 employees, including more than 90 attorneys, who provide free services and resources on a broad range of civil legal issues that impact health, safety, and self-sufficiency. For more information, please visit www.lafla.org.

The Position: LAFLA seeks an experienced advocate with a strong commitment to racial justice issues and advancing equity to join our team as the Director of Racial Justice and Equity. The successful candidate will increase our workforce’s cultural competencies and build a legal services delivery system that systematically and aggressively identifies and addresses race-based injustices that low-income individuals and communities of color face. The Director of Racial Justice and Equity will work closely with the directors and managing attorneys of each of legal workgroups, as well as all staff members, to pursue systemic change in law and policy, including litigation and co-counseling, to improve, the lives of low-income people who experience inequities rooted in historical, persistent, and structural racism, ageism, sexism, ableism, homophobia, and xenophobia. The Director will also serve as the lead on LAFLA’s Race, Equity and Initiative (REI) committee as the management representative to guide and support their work. The position is an exciting opportunity at a critical moment in our country to tackle injustice and promote equity for communities of color.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Active membership in the California State Bar required;

• At least seven (7) year of legal services experience required;

• Demonstrated knowledge of poverty law (across substantive areas) and community legal needs;

• Relevant advocacy, policy, project management, and coalition-building experience, with significant experience in racial justice, civil rights and/or equity issues;

• Strong interpersonal, oral, and written communications skills, including ability to communicate effectively about racial equity;

• Skilled in identifying data-driven solutions;

• Excellent organizational skills and ability to prioritize and lead multiple projects;

• Ability to balance short and long-term objectives; and

• Ability to think strategically, and to lead and work collaboratively with others.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES:

• Work with the Executive Director, Director of Housing Justice, Director of Economic Justice and Special Counsel on Language Justice to center equity in our substantive work;

• Implement and coordinate LAFLA’s racial equity agenda including enhancing staff’s ability to be responsive to racial justice issues and a diverse client population;

• Work closely with the directors and managers of each of our teams, as well as all staff members, to pursue systemic change in the law and policy;

• Lead LAFLA’s REI Committee as well as the legal team to create and expand equity-based projects and initiatives;

• Develop planning and evaluation tools that center equity and shape new project ideas into proposals for new funding;

• Work with the Communications Department to develop media and/or social media strategies to advance equity-related policy objectives;

• Build and maintain relationships and engage in collaborative efforts with partners and coalitions, including national state-based or local legal services programs, civil rights organizations, government agencies, and other stakeholders;

• Work with staff to engage in research and analysis, produce written materials, present trainings, and provide technical assistance related to the pervasive and ingrained systemic and intersectional inequities faced by communities of color, immigrants or those with limited English proficiency, and the LGBTQ community; and

• Participate in conferences and meetings virtually or in-person (when safe to do so).

HOW TO APPLY - Please submit a cover letter and resume online to adminjobs@lafla.org. Include “Director of Race, Equity and Inclusion” in the subject line.

INTRODUCTORY PERIOD - A one-year introductory period will be required.

AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER - Selection will be based solely on merit and will be without discrimination because of race, color, national origin, ancestry, ethnicity, citizenship, creed, sex, general, sexual orientation, gender identity, transgender status, age, religion, genetic information, physical or mental disability, medical condition, military or veteran status, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical condition, marital or registered domestic partners status, or any other legally protected status.

The company is committed to equal employment opportunity and providing reasonable accommodations to qualified candidates and employees pursuant to applicable law. We value and encourage diversity and solicit applications from all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, gender, sex, age, religion, creed, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, marital status, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, medical condition, military and veteran status, gender identity or expression, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law. If you require reasonable accommodation as part of the application process or expect to require an accommodation if hired, please contact humanresources@lafla.org.

VACCINATION POLICY AND COVID-19 PROTOCOLS - LAFLA requires all staff, including new hires, to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 (i.e., at least 2 weeks after last dose) and have received at least one COVID-19 booster shot. If hired, all employees must present proof of vaccination by their start date.

BENEFITS AND COMPENSATION - LAFLA offers a diverse environment with competitive compensation based on comparable public interest salaries. We also offer a generous benefits package for full-time employees including medical, dental, and vision for employees and dependents, life insurance, long-term disability and long-term care insurance, and 403(b) retirement plan. Eligible employees may also qualify for bilingual supplements, law student loan reimbursements, and a cell phone stipend.

LAFLA offers a diverse environment with competitive compensation based on comparable public interest salaries. We also offer a generous benefits package for full-time employees including medical, dental, and vision for employees and dependents, life insurance, long-term disability and long-term care insurance, and 403(b) retirement plan. Eligible employees may also qualify for bilingual supplements, law student loan reimbursements, and a cell phone stipend.