Central California Legal Services (CCLS) seeks an Executive Director to lead our nonprofit law firm as we enter our 51st year of service to low-income residents of the Central Valley. We seek highly qualified applicants with a vision and demonstrated passion for serving and advocating on behalf of the poor and other vulnerable populations.
CCLS receives funding from Legal Services Corporation and from a variety of local, state, regional and national funding sources. The Executive Director has the responsibility and authority for the day-to-day administration of the affairs of CCLS, in accordance with the Legal Services Corporation Act and its Regulations, and bylaws enacted by CCLS’s Board of Directors.
We seek candidates with a history of executive-level management experience in being the face of a non-profit organization and in guiding non-profit organizations to successful implementation of their fund raising and strategic planning goals.
PROGRAM DESCRIPTION:
Established in 1966, CCLS provides free legal advice and representation in civil matters to eligible low-income individuals in Fresno, Kings, Merced, Mariposa, Tulare and Tuolumne counties. Through our partnership with the Health Consumer Alliance, we also provide health-related legal assistance to residents of Madera, Monterey, San Benito, San Luis Obispo and Stanislaus counties. Our mission is to “Advance Justice and Empower People.” Our clients are primarily the working poor, families with young children, people with disabilities, immigrants, veterans, seniors and other low-income individuals. We take pride in helping those whose rights are restricted, compromised and/or denied. We provide quality service and enhance delivery of our services by combining efforts with other organizations and diverse communities throughout our region.
Along with our attorneys, paralegals and support staff, we have significant support from outside pro bono attorneys, law students, interns and other volunteers.
CCLS works in the general areas of Housing, Public Benefits/Health/Education, Family Safety/Immigration, and Consumer/Tax law.
*For further information about CCLS please visit our website at www.centralcallegal.org.
1. To serve as the public face of CCLS, carrying out a leadership role in maintaining and strengthening CCLS’ collaborations with local, state and national legal aid networks, client community organizations, and other legal services and program-related organizations;
2. To maintain and strengthen our existing funding relationships;
3. To develop and cultivate new relationships with individual and corporate donors that lead to an increase and diversification of our funding sources;
4. To have ultimate responsibility for the implementation and direction of CCLS according to policies set by the Board of Directors;
5. To conduct effective, ongoing strategic planning;
6. To help CCLS achieve the goals established by the Board of Directors in its strategic plan;
7. To creatively work with the Board of Directors so its members actively contribute to the success of CCLS;
8. To regularly keep the Board of Directors fully apprised of CCLS’ on-going financial status and to highlight fiscal issues that need Board action;
9. To ensure compliance with the requirements for all funding sources, including Federal and State Governments, Legal Services Corporation (LSC, Equal Access to Justice, IOLTA and other funding sources);
10. To have ultimate responsibility for obtaining funding support, developing the program budget, allocating program resources according to priorities and maintaining accurate financial records;
11. To provide the leadership and structural support for staff in order to strengthen, protect and focus high quality legal representation for clients;
12. To collaborate with client organizations, partners, and service providers on behalf of eligible clients;
13. To have ultimate responsibility for all personnel matters including establishing position qualifications for all staff positions, hiring and firing all attorney, non-attorney and management staff as necessary, establishing personnel policies and establishing all operational procedures;
14. To mentor and build team leaders within the organization; to actively promote supervisorial training, improved communication and the development of skills for all CCLS administration, management and staff;
15. To represent management in union negotiations in accordance with Board directives;
16. To regularly advise the Board of Directors on policy matters, implement Board policies and attend Board meetings, and support Board in identifying goals and priorities for CCLS;
17. To have ultimate responsibility for all litigation and attorney supervision;
18. To perform other duties as the Board may from time-to-time describe.
QUALIFICATIONS:
1. Be a member in good standing of the State Bar of California or must become admitted to the State Bar of California within twelve months of hire; or be eligible to practice in California under the Registered Legal Services Attorney Program;
2. A demonstrated commitment to low-income rural and urban communities;
3. Management experience involving creating and maintaining staff cohesion across multiple offices and recruiting new staff when appropriate;
4. Provide financial oversight and reporting, budget development, and ensure compliance with grant, contract and legal requirements for all current and future funding sources;
5. Preferred but not required, a minimum of (10) years of legal experience in a legal services program or other law office experience, including but not limited to preparing pleadings; conducting discovery, court hearings, and trial;
6. Preferred but not required, a minimum of (10) years of significant administrative experience, including the supervision of legal and support personnel, for a legal services program or other law office experience, preferably in a unionized, non-profit environment;
7. Experience and skill communicating with a Board of Directors;
8. Proven track record in effective written and oral communication to be visual spokesperson with media and other strategic constituencies;
9. Successful track record in fundraising, resource development, and grant writing;
10. Ability to work and collaborate with individual clients and client community groups;
11. Demonstrated commitment to advocacy in support of the legal rights of eligible clients and to equal access to justice;
12. Familiarity with other federal and state civil legal aid organizations serving the poor is required;
13. Experience collaborating and/or building relationships, and reputation with the courts;
14. Outstanding oral and written communication skills;
15. Proficiency with computer software including word processing, spreadsheets and databases, as well as internet skills;
16. Ability to travel as needed-Proof of liability and property insurance on vehicle used is required.
Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. Applications will be reviewed as they are received. We ask that serious candidates submit applications on or before January 31, 2017. The application should contain the following: a cover letter expressing in detail why you are interested in the position, your qualifications, and what you hope to contribute to the organization’s future; a current resume; both a legal writing sample (no more than 10 pages) and a grant proposal sample (no more than 10 pages); and the names and contact information of three professional references. Please submit applications by email to:
CCLS Executive Director Search Committee
Curtis Daugherty, Chair
[email protected]