Program Director, Workers' Rights

The Opportunity

ALC currently seeks an experienced attorney to assume the pivotal role of Program Director of our esteemed Workers’ Rights Program. This position offers a unique opportunity to lead a dynamic team dedicated to advocating for the rights of low-income immigrant workers.

The selected candidate will spearhead our efforts to address a broad spectrum of workplace issues, including, but not limited to, race and national origin discrimination, retaliation, wage and hour disputes, and unemployment insurance benefit appeals. Integral to this role is the cultivation and maintenance of strategic partnerships with worker centers to support workplace organizing and foster worker-led campaigns.

The Program Director will lead a team comprising two staff attorneys, a community advocate, and a paralegal. The ideal candidate will possess significant legal expertise in immigrant workers’ rights and demonstrate an essential understanding of the nuanced challenges our clients face. ALC’s Director of Programs supervises this position.

In assuming this leadership role, the Director will play a vital role in shaping the strategic direction of the program, leveraging their expertise to propel ALC’s mission forward. This entails formulating and executing strategic goals designed to advance the welfare of immigrant workers and safeguard their rights within the workplace. We invite qualified candidates who are driven by a commitment to social justice and immigrant workers’ rights to join us in this critical work. 

The Organization

ALC is the nation’s first legal organization focusing on advancing and defending the civil rights of Asian American and Pacific Islander (API) communities, including Arab and Middle Eastern communities (AMEMSA). Since 1972, ALC has ensured access to affordable housing in San Francisco’s Chinatown, litigated high-profile civil rights cases, advocated for the passage of landmark policy changes, and provided an array of services, including community education, advocacy, and direct client representation to further the rights of low-income immigrants and communities of color. Current program areas include Workers’ Rights, National Security & Civil Rights, Housing Rights, Immigrant Rights, Community Safety, and Voting Rights.

Responsibilities

External

• Develop and engage in public policy advocacy, impact litigation, and direct representation to advance a workers’ rights agenda on the local, state, and federal levels
• Develop and consistently maintain technical expertise on workers' rights issues that impact our clients and communities
• Establish and deepen relationships with grassroots partners, advocacy and legal organizations, and government agencies to address immigrant workers’ rights issues 
• Provide legal support for worker-led and/or worker-center-supported campaigns
• Develop community engagement, strategies, education, and outreach strategies in collaboration with the Community Advocacy Manager, and ensure successful execution
• Be an ambassador for the program and the organization, and effectively communicate ALC’s breadth of work in various fora, including conferences, coalitions, and community meetings
• In partnership with the Executive Director and Development Director, engage with funders, including providing regular written analyses and identifying new opportunities

Internal

• Develop and oversee the implementation of program goals and strategies in collaboration with the Senior Leadership Team, including the Director of Programs, Legal Director, Policy Director, and Communications Director
• Create a strategy screen to vet new opportunities and work with the Legal Director and Senior Counsel to develop and oversee ongoing impact litigation and the provision of direct legal services  
• Recruit, hire, supervise, and mentor program staff, including staff attorneys and Community Advocates
• Identify intersecting work with other programs; lead, model, and promote a healthy culture of collaboration and accountability for the organization and for the team
• Develop and monitor a budget in partnership with the Finance Director that aligns with the program's goals and the organization's mission
• Work closely with the Development staff on grant proposals, reporting, and fundraising events
• Perform other duties as needed

All ALC staff are expected to participate in regular check-in meetings with their supervisor/supervisees, staff meetings, team meetings, and other organization meetings, as required. This includes two (2) annual retreats, an anniversary celebration dinner, and meetings as needed in the San Francisco Bay area. 

The above statements are not intended to encompass all functions of the position; rather, they are intended to provide a general framework of the requirements of the position. Job incumbents may be required to perform other functions not specifically addressed in this posting.

Qualifications

• J.D. degree and California bar membership, required
• Minimum of eight (8) years relevant experience in employment/workers' rights law, with a legal services, policy advocacy, or state/federal court litigation approach; ideally with familiarity in practicing in a nonprofit organization
• Excellent legal skills, taking and defending depositions, law and motion work, and discovery
• Excellent research, analytical, written, and oral communication skills with the ability to tailor the message to the audience
• Three to five (3-5) years of experience managing and supervising staff, and managing a team
• Familiarity with the intersection of workers rights and other issues, such as immigration, national security and civil rights, and housing, a plus
• Ability to conduct long-term visioning and strategic planning, both for the program and the organization
• Demonstrated leadership and ability to work independently and in collaboration with other attorneys, community advocates, and community-based organizations
• Demonstrated commitment to building power for and with grassroots communities
• Experience working with AMEMSA and API community members impacted by the immigration and/or criminal legal system is highly desired
• Problem solver and team player with a sense of humor 
• Non-English language skills in AMEMSA and/or Asian languages are a plus, but not required

ALC’s comprehensive benefits package includes generous vacation and paid holidays; medical, dental, disability, and life insurance coverage (ALC pays 100% of premiums for employees and 75% for qualified dependents); a flexible spending account (FSA); and a 401K retirement plan with employer non-elective contribution and match.

Application Process

Interested candidates should submit via email to jobs@advancingjustice-alc.org by June 30, 2024, including the following (as PDF attachments). Applications will be considered on a rolling basis until the position is filled.

1. Cover letter explaining your interest in the position
2. Resume
3. Writing sample (no more than ten (10) pages)
4. Three (3)  professional references

Please indicate “Program Director - Workers’ Rights ” in the subject line.