Bilingual Staff Attorney with Farmworker Program

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Job location
397 N. First St.
Woodburn, OR 97071
United States
Organization information
Organization name: 
Legal Aid Services of Oregon
Street address: 
520 SW 6th Avenue, Suite 1130
City: 
Portland
State: 
Oregon
ZIP: 
97204
Job type: 
Legal - Civil
Position Description: 

Legal Aid Services of Oregon (LASO) seeks a bilingual (Spanish/English) full-time staff attorney for the Woodburn office of its Farmworker Program.

Background
LASO is a non-profit organization that gives free legal assistance to low-income clients in civil (non-criminal) cases. LASO’s eight regional offices serve the general low-income population throughout the state and two specialized statewide programs provide services to farmworkers and representation on Native American issues.

The Farmworker Program consists of a director, four attorneys (including a supervising attorney), two paralegals and an office manager located in three different offices. The majority of our clients speak Spanish or one of the indigenous languages native to the southern states of Mexico, such as Mixteco, Triqui or Zapoteco. They experience a wide variety of legal problems, including unpaid wages, poor working conditions, unsafe housing, sexual harassment and other forms of discrimination and retaliation for the exercise of their legal rights.

Woodburn is located in the mid-Willamette Valley in Marion County, Oregon’s leading agricultural producer. An ethnically diverse community of 20,000, Woodburn is 30 miles south of Portland; 17 miles north of Salem, Oregon’s capital; and less than two hours’ drive from the scenic Oregon coast and the Cascade Mountains.

Responsibilities
The staff attorney will represent agricultural workers in federal and state courts and before administrative agencies. The caseload, involving a combination of impact litigation and service cases, consists primarily of employment, housing, health and safety, civil rights, unemployment and tax cases. The staff attorney will also be involved in community education and outreach to migrant labor camps and community-based groups, which may include flexible and irregular hours and occasional overnight travel.

Salary/Benefits
Salary based on experience. Additional compensation for bilingual ability. Full benefits package including health insurance and 401(k) plan.

Requirements: 

We seek applicants who have a demonstrated commitment to justice for low-income communities; excellent legal and interpersonal communication skills; a high degree of initiative and willingness to work collaboratively; ability to speak, read and write Spanish; and membership in the Oregon bar, eligibility for reciprocity or a willingness to take the next bar exam.

To apply: 

Send resume and cover letter to:
Laurie Hoefer, Program Director
Legal Aid Services of Oregon
397 N. First St.
Woodburn, OR 97071
[email protected]

Notes: 
LASO is an equal opportunity employer committed to creating a healthy work environment for a diverse staff. We encourage applicants with diverse backgrounds and experiences to apply.
Salary range: 
DOE - see above
Submission deadline: 
Monday, June 25, 2018