Interim Disability & Health Justice Program Director

Overview

The organization is seeking an Interim Disability & Health Justice Program (DHJP) Director, a civil rights attorney role with deep commitment to disability justice, combating ableism, and advocating for the rights of low-income workers.

This interim position focuses on intersectional, impact, and enforcement-driven work that spans litigation, policy advocacy, community education, and direct services, including:

• Defending and expanding protections for workers with disabilities
• Addressing unequal health risks tied to climate change and unsafe workplaces, especially affecting rural and agricultural workers
• Advancing rights of incarcerated workers and immigrant workers who are disproportionately vulnerable to exploitation
• Centering the voices and needs of workers with disabilities in a broader vision of justice

Responsibilities

The Interim Program Director will work within and across teams to execute program strategy, manage the litigation docket, and oversee a team consisting of a Staff Attorney, a Senior Paralegal, a Fellow, and law clerks.

Key responsibilities include:

• Implementing the program strategy in partnership with the VP of Programs and Litigation, the Director of Litigation, and other legal team members
• Overseeing the program’s litigation docket, including class actions, representative actions, individual actions, amicus work, and other advocacy efforts
• Identifying opportunities for collaboration across program teams
• Overseeing collaborations with community partners
• Managing program administration, including:
  • Preparing the program budget
  • Coordinating program projects
  • Supervising program attorneys and staff
  • Timekeeping
  • Assisting with preparation of grant applications and reports

Requirements

Position timing, location, and eligibility

• Full-time Interim Program Director will join as soon as possible for a minimum of eight months.
• While not guaranteed, there is the possibility of extension pending organizational needs.
• Candidates must be active members of the California State Bar and be based in California.

Core qualifications

• Demonstrated commitment to social justice and civil rights work, including movement lawyering
• Passion for advancing the mission of seeking justice for low-wage workers
• 8+ years of litigation experience, including a demonstrated track record bringing impact and class action litigation
• Strong preference for a minimum of 3 years of supervisory experience
• Demonstrated ability to set and execute against programmatic strategies
• Experience working with people with disabilities, including people who are neurodivergent, have mental health disabilities and/or sensory disabilities; people who are low-income; or incarcerated populations
• Experience investigating, developing, and litigating civil rights cases, including discovery, motion practice, hearings, trials and/or appeals in state and federal court
• Ability to lead and work collaboratively with a small team of attorneys and paralegals
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and prioritize competing deadlines
• Willingness to develop projects independently
• Strong legal research, writing, and analytical skills
• Demonstrated experience thinking strategically about the role of a legal nonprofit in supporting grassroots organizing efforts
• Deep commitment to racial equity and incorporating racial equity principles into legal advocacy
• Deep commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, including the ability to hold and foster difficult and necessary conversations about race, color, disability, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, and other protected categories
• Ability to use tact and diplomacy on sensitive issues and maintain confidentiality
• Strong interpersonal skills, initiative, leadership, and organizational abilities
• Ability to travel as necessary within California and to other parts of the country for litigation, speaking events, meetings, and conferences

Work arrangement

The role allows employees to work primarily from home, contingent on business needs and professional responsibilities.

Strong preference will be given to applicants with personal or professional experience working with impacted communities.

Preferred Qualifications

• Knowledge of California employment law and court and/or administrative procedures
• Fluency in Spanish, Mandarin, Vietnamese, or other languages commonly spoken by low-wage workers in California

Compensation & Benefits

Salaries are competitive in the public interest law community.

Benefits include:

• Health plans
• Long-term disability and life insurance
• 403(b) retirement plan
• Generous paid vacation and holidays

Unionized role:

• This position is included in the bargaining unit represented by ESC Local 20.
• Salary placement at hire and salary advancement will follow the negotiated salary scale for this position.
• Current salary scale: $97,344 to $187,063, depending on years out of law school.
• Language bonus: $75 per pay period for qualified candidates.
• Pro-rated annual premium payment: $15,000 for this Program Director position.

Location

• Based in California
• Travel within California and to other parts of the country as necessary for litigation, speaking events, meetings, and conferences

Commitment to Inclusive Hiring and Accessibility

Consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the organization is committed to creating an accessible and equitable application and interview process.

Reasonable accommodation examples may include:

• American Sign Language interpretation
• Alternative formats for interview materials (e.g., large print)
• Interview questions provided before the interview and/or included in the chat function during video interviews
• Extended interview time
• Adjustments to the interview format for accessibility
• Assistance with reading or note-taking during interviews

Qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records will be considered pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance.

How to Apply

Applications should include:

• Resume
• Cover letter detailing interest in the position
• Writing sample (no more than 10 pages)
• Three references, including at least one from a supervisor