Community Worker - Rural Justice Unit

WHO WE ARE: Founded in 1966, CRLA's mission is to fight for justice and individual rights alongside the most exploited communities of our society. Through a network of regional offices and cross-cutting programs, CRLA provides legal services to tens of thousands of low-income people annually. Our work impacts farmworkers, indigenous populations, individuals with disabilities, immigrant populations, LGBTQ+ communities, women, children, and low-income families in rural areas.

• Position: Community Worker – Rural Justice Unit
• Experience: 6+ months
• Application Deadline: Open until filled
• Location: Stockton, CA
• Other: FLSA Non-Exempt, Union Position, Regular, Full Time (37.5hrs/week)

Reporting to the Directing Attorney, the Community Worker will perform initial screenings for eligibility, interviews to determine the nature of the legal problem/s and to identify the type of legal assistance being sought by the applicants.

Applicant Intake:

• Perform initial screening for eligibility; interview applicants to determine their legal problem's nature and identify the type of legal assistance being sought.
• Interview applicants to learn the underlying causes of their legal problem and how the legal assistance being sought would assist clients in meeting their short, mid-range, and longer-term goals.
• Provide applicants with appropriate legal information and referrals.
• Prepare and deliver to attorneys and other staff verbal and written reports of applicant interviews, including facts pertinent to the issues raised by applicants.
• Assess applicants' capacities to represent themselves in the legal matter and the obstacles applicants face in meeting their stated goals.

Conducting Investigations:

• Gather information through field inquiry and other research related to actual or potential cases and litigation.
• Prepare simple documents from standard forms.
• Assist pro-per clients in identifying helpful information for the presentation of their cases.
• Provide appropriate advocacy and make referrals where applicable.

Lay Advocacy:

• Represent client's interests in administrative hearings and other forums appropriate to a non-lawyer and engage in lay advocacy to the extent permissible under the law and the code of professional ethics.
• Perform ministerial duties in connection with lawsuits such as filing and the service of process and interpreting for non-English speaking clients in interview situations and before formal and informal tribunals.

Community Outreach and Education:

• Provide legal information and skills training to individuals and groups to help our clients understand and assert their legal rights and responsibilities.
• Collaboration with other agencies:
• Maintain CRLA liaison with community organizations and groups to ensure that CRLA resources address client community needs.
• Community Workers may be required to work outside the office, for instance, to work on regional sweeps.
• Perform other tasks assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Excellent communication skills and strong interpersonal skills, including the ability to work effectively with diverse client groups, including people in crisis, seniors, people with disabilities including mental health, people of color, people who are homeless or at imminent risk of homelessness, immigrants, non-English speakers, service providers, government employees, and community partners.
• A demonstrated ability to work well both independently and as part of a team.
• Ability to use the internet, database, and computer word processing programs.
• Applicants must have car and car insurance.
• Ability to effectively communicate and negotiate with adverse parties, under the supervision of the attorney.
• Applicant must have the ability to perform all of the above duties.

HIGHLY DESIRABLE:

• Experience working or volunteering with social service or non-profit organizations.
• Experience or familiarity with social work, services, or related field, including an understanding of state-provided public benefits.
• Strong personal work ethic, initiative, and ability to organize time, manage diverse activities, and meet critical deadlines with minimal supervision.
• Desire to learn as well as share knowledge with the other team members
• Bilingual (English & Spanish).

COMPENSATION:

We offer a diverse, family-friendly environment and compensation based on competitive public interest salaries; generous benefits package which includes 100% employer-covered medical,

dental, vision, life, and short & long-term disability insurance for employees and up to 50% for dependents coverage; and 401K retirement plan with CRLA contribution effective immediately. Generous paid leave policy which includes: 15 days of sick leave, 15 holidays each year, and vacation (accrue 15 days for the first year of service and 20 days after one year of service at CRLA). This is a union position (Legal Service Workers for Rural California "LSWRC"), and the estimated starting hourly range for this position is $24.21 - $32.10 (placement in the range is primarily determined by years of related experience).

APPLICATION:

CRLA invites you to submit your resume and cover letter; at your discretion, you may include a statement about how your unique background and/or experiences might contribute to the diversity, cultural vitality, and perspective of our staff and legal services practice.

CRLA requires that all employees are Fully Vaccinated, defined as a CDC-approved COVID vaccination and one booster shot. This offer is contingent on meeting this requirement. The complete vaccination policy, including the process for reasonable allowable accommodations, is available for your review upon request.

California Rural Legal Assistance thrives on our diversity, and we are proud to be an equal-opportunity employer. We are committed to building a culturally diverse workplace and strongly encourage women, persons of color, LGBTQ+ individuals, veterans, persons with disabilities, and persons from other underrepresented groups to apply