Associate Director

California Rural Legal Assistance, Inc.; Modesto (CA); On-site; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

California Rural Legal Assistance, Inc. (CRLA) seeks an Associate Director for the Rural Justice Program to lead and support the CRLA Justice Centers.

The role mentors 5-8 Center Directors and may serve as Acting Center Director in vacancies, bridging local and statewide advocacy to advance civil rights and equity. You will coordinate local advocacy with statewide initiatives, review regional cases, engage partners, and ensure policy compliance.

Qualifications

• At least 6 years of experience working with historically marginalized populations.
• At least 4 years in program management or supervisory roles.
• Minimum 6 years in advocacy roles, with most experience as an attorney.
• Bar admission in California or willingness to take the California Bar Exam.

Responsibilities

• Supervise 5-8 Justice Center Directors and mentor CRLA staff.
• Align local advocacy with statewide systemic initiatives and review regional cases.
• Engage with community partners and represent CRLA in public forums and events.
• Provide senior oversight on complex litigation and systemic initiatives.
• Assist in strategic planning, logic models, and evaluating outcomes.

Skills

Leadership

Program management

Advocacy

Mentorship

Education

California Bar admission or admission to another State Bar

Job description

Associate Director# Associate DirectorCRLA Headquarters - Modesto, CA 95354## OverviewSalary Range$110,000.00 - $150,000.00 Salary/yearPosition TypeFull Time## DescriptionPosition: Associate Director – Rural Justice Program Reports to: Program Director – Rural Justice Program Application Deadline: Open until filled Location: Any CRLA Office Term of Employment: Regular, Full-Time Other: FLSA Exempt, Non-Union PositionPosition Overview: The Associate Directors – Rural Justice Program provide critical leadership and operational support to CRLA’s Justice Centers. CRLA’s Rural Justice Program provides direct legal services, place-based advocacy to expand equity in civic institutions, and specialized litigation to advance civil rights via a network of 17 Rural Justice Centers. This role bridges local and systemic advocacy by fostering collaboration, aligning local priorities with the Rural Justice Program’s priorities, and mentoring Justice Center Directors. The Associate Directors ensure the delivery of high-quality legal services that meet community needs and advance systemic change.Key Responsibilities:• Leadership and Mentorship: Supervise 5-8 Justice Center Directors, fostering leadership, professional development, and a culture of equity. Serve as a resource for formal and informal professional development and mentorship of CRLA staff. Serve as the Acting Justice Center Director in the event of a vacancy.• Program Alignment: Coordinate local advocacy efforts with CRLA’s statewide systemic initiatives. Conduct regional case reviews and ensure consistency in advocacy approaches.• Community Engagement: Strengthen partnerships with local organizations, ensuring advocacy is informed by community needs and priorities. Represent CRLA in public forums, policy discussions, and community events.• Advocacy Oversight: Provide senior-level oversight on complex litigation and systemic initiatives, ensuring compliance with CRLA policies, grant requirements, regulations, and ethical standards.• Strategic Planning: Assist the Program Director in developing logic models, work plans, and evaluating advocacy outcomes to maximize program impact. Implement other strategic goals including resource development goals, growth goals, and recruitment and retention goals.Required Qualifications: • A minimum of 6 years of experience working with historically marginalized populations. • At least 4 years of program management, supervisory experience, leading teams or other leadership with a focus on developing skills and meeting program goals. • A minimum of 6 years in advocacy roles, the majority of which should be experience as an attorney. • Admitted to the California Bar or another State Bar with a willingness to take the next California Bar Exam.Highly Preferred Qualifications: • Experience in systemic advocacy and cross-functional team leadership. • Knowledge of issues impacting rural, BIPOC, LGBTQ+, and low-income communities. • Fluency in Spanish or another language relevant to CRLA’s client communities.