Associate Director

Position: 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 Position

Position 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.