Program Coordinator--Consumer Justice Clinic

East Bay Community Law Center (EBCLC) is a non-profit legal services organization, the community-based clinical program for U.C. Berkeley Law School, and one of the Bay Area’s largest and most effective systems disrupters. With a dual service and teaching mission, EBCLC is a racial justice organization committed to building a culturally diverse workplace, centered on equity. With about 75 staff, 100 law students a year, and a nearly $10 million annual budget, EBCLC is the largest provider of free legal services in Alameda County, providing multimodal, collaborative, and holistic legal services to over 4,000 clients annually and engaging in legislative and policy advocacy at the state and local level.

The Consumer Justice Clinic (CJC) advocates for personal finance independence, stability, and empowerment. To learn more about CJC’s work, we encourage you to review CJC’s program-specific website: consumerjusticeclinic.squarespace.com.

CJC is seeking a full-time Program Coordinator to provide initial screening for clients with consumer-related problems, to direct clients to appropriate internal and external services, and to provide general administrative support to CJC staff attorneys. Successful candidates are those who enjoy working with a diverse range of people in a fast-paced and dynamic working environment, and who can bring strong organizational skills to support CJC’s activities and staff. No consumer law experience required – substantive training will be provided.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Screen a high-volume of individuals assessing for eligibility and legal issues.
• Maintain client appointment calendar and communicate calendar information to staff attorneys, law students, and support staff.
• Enter accurate and detailed information into client database.
• Provide translation assistance and draft correspondences in both English and Spanish.
• Meet with clients and prepare paperwork under the supervision of attorneys.
• Be a point of contact and disseminate information for clients by providing or coordinating appropriate assistance.
• Provide general administrative assistance.
• Coordinate students and volunteers.
• Maintain and update our student trainings portal.
• Assist Director with maintaining and gathering data for grants.
• Provide assistance at clinics— in-person and remote, up to two evenings, two afternoon, and one weekend day a month.
• Recruit, train, and supervise volunteers on client intake and data entry procedures.
• Assist in the recruitment and training of clinical students.
• Assist with community outreach and trainings with community-based organizations and social service agencies (for example: scam prevention seminars at senior centers).
• Prepare and maintain written information and self-help materials on consumer debt issues for clients and law students through various outlets.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Two (2) years’ experience in an administrative, social or legal services environment; BA degree may substitute for experience requirement.
• Fluency in Spanish with demonstrated ability to accurately interpret between English and Spanish.
• Must be detail-oriented.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• High degree of flexibility and ability to work well with incredibly busy team.
• Strong commitment to racial justice.
• Ability to receive and give objective feedback with recommendations.
• Excellent listening skills and comprehension required--must be able to fill in blanks and gaps either through asking pointed questions or inference based on the goal of the assignment.
• Excellent organizational skills, including ability to multi-task, set priorities, and work independently, but in close coordination with other staff.
• Comfortable talking to a high volume of callers.
• Demonstrated ability to work well with people of diverse ethnic, cultural, religious, educational, and socioeconomic backgrounds.
• Ability to work with people in crisis, including people with mental disabilities, in an empathetic and professional manner.
• Demonstrated proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and Dropbox. Ability to pick up new computer skills quickly.

Salary and Benefits

Starting hourly rate for this full-time non-exempt position is $34.62 - $40.66 based on the number of years of prior relevant experience, as dictated by EBCLC’s salary scale.

Benefits include fully paid health insurance (medical, dental, and vision) for employees and their dependents, life and disability insurance, and generous paid leave (vacation, sick, and holidays); EBCLC also offers flexible spending accounts for qualified health, dependent care, and commute expenditures; and retirement options.

Professional development support includes membership in the relevant local, statewide and/or national associations, attendance at relevant conferences, as determined by EBCLC’s collective bargaining agreement.

Workplace Expectations

This position is in person. Some local travel is expected for off-site clinics and activities. Our office is located at 2001 Center Street, in Berkeley.

Working At EBCLC

EBCLC is a unionized workplace and members of the bargaining unit are represented by the Engineers and Scientists of California Local 20, IFPTE. This position is part of the bargaining unit.

EBCLC is strongly committed to advancing justice through education and advocacy, and the need to transform legal services and legal education. Please take time to review EBCLC’s mission, vision, programs, and website, and ensure that your cover letter reflects how your background, experience, and expertise have prepared you to be successful in performing the responsibilities of the position.

Additionally, EBCLC is committed to building a culturally diverse workplace centered on equity and providing an inclusive, welcoming, and culturally responsive environment for all members of our staff, volunteers, subcontractors, vendors, and clients. To achieve this goal, EBCLC works actively to improve our office climate, systems and structures, communications and community engagement to create an inclusive and respectful workplace where differences are acknowledged and valued. In your cover letter, please address how your personal background and experiences, professional or otherwise, have prepared you to contribute to our commitment to cultural responsiveness and diversity amongst our staff.

We strongly encourage individuals from traditionally underrepresented communities to apply. EBCLC does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religious creed, sex, gender, gender expression, gender identity, age, national origin, ancestry, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, military status, prior contact with the criminal legal system, or any other basis prohibited by law.

Application Procedures:

This is a rolling deadline application process; however, preference will be given to applicants who submit their materials by October 1, 2024. Anticipated start date is October 28, 2024.