Reproductive Justice Legal Advocate

LEGAL ADVOCATE FOR REPRODUCTIVE JUSTICE IN AGRICULTURE

Affiliation: UC Law SF

Classification: Level 2 / Class 2051 / Exempt / Full-Time / Benefitted / Remote-eligible

Expected Salary: $80,000 Annually

ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION

The Center for WorkLife Law is a prominent national research and advocacy organization associated with UC Law SF, dedicated to ensuring that individuals do not have to sacrifice economic stability for the health and welfare of their families. The Center promotes gender and racial equity by establishing legal protections for expectant individuals and family caregivers in professional and educational settings. The WorkLife Law team provides essential support to workers and students while addressing systemic inequalities through policy reform at both state and national levels.

POSITION OVERVIEW AND DUTIES

The Legal Advocate will champion the rights of pregnant and nursing farmworkers in California by playing a pivotal role in the initiative Dar a Luz: Legal Rights for Farmworkers in Pregnancy and Postpartum. Under the guidance of the Senior Staff Attorney, the Legal Advocate will offer complimentary legal support to workers via the Dar a Luz helpline, educate significant stakeholders through public outreach, develop practical resources for healthcare providers and workers, and engage in advocacy with relevant agencies. This is a fully benefited position for a duration of 12 months, with potential for extension based on funding availability.

Key responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Legal Support: Provide compassionate and culturally competent assistance to farmworkers through the Dar a Luz legal helpline. The helpline offers guidance on workplace accommodations related to pregnancy and lactation, state disability benefits, and protection against employment discrimination linked to pregnancy, childbirth, lactation, and caregiving. The Legal Advocate will assess callers' circumstances by actively listening, reviewing documentation, and applying applicable laws. With the support of the Senior Staff Attorney, the Legal Advocate will devise strategies for each caller and maintain engagement throughout the process.
• Resource Development: Create and update educational materials that inform workers of their rights, as well as practical resources for healthcare professionals and other key audiences. This involves thorough research and verification to ensure that materials are current, as well as gathering and integrating feedback from stakeholders to enhance the relevance of the resources.
• Training Initiatives: Conduct training sessions for community health workers who assist pregnant and breastfeeding farmworkers in California. This includes recruiting participants, designing and delivering training content, and collecting feedback post-training.
• Policy Engagement: Advocate with the California Employment Development Department (EDD) and other critical stakeholders to enhance workers' rights to access California State Disability Insurance (SDI) and Paid Family Leave (PFL). This encompasses participation in public forums, as well as researching and drafting comments, testimonies, and other advocacy documents.
• Project Coordination: Actively plan and participate in meetings of the Dar a Luz team and its advisory committees. Collaborate with senior staff to ensure the efficient administrative operation of all aspects of the Dar a Luz project, including managing logistics for the legal helpline, coordinating with Indigenous language interpretation services, proofreading documents, editing presentations, scheduling meetings, organizing files, and other administrative tasks as required.

QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• J.D. degree required (bar admission not necessary)
• 1-5 years of relevant experience preferred (including clinical, externship, and/or pre-law school experiences)
• Experience providing direct services to individuals in crisis in a culturally sensitive manner is strongly preferred

SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• In-depth knowledge of California's State Disability Insurance and Paid Family Leave programs, along with a general understanding of California employment laws (particularly the California Pregnancy Disability Leave Law and the Fair Employment and Housing Act) is strongly preferred;
• Commitment to the mission and values of WorkLife Law and the Dar a Luz initiative;
• Strong legal research and writing abilities with meticulous attention to detail, as well as proficiency in Lexis and/or Westlaw;
• Effective public speaking skills;
• Ability to comprehend legal concepts and convey them in an accessible manner to non-experts;
• Strong organizational, time management, and project management skills, with the flexibility to adapt to changing tasks;
• Clear and professional oral and written communication skills;
• Ability to engage compassionately with individuals in crisis;
• Adaptability and eagerness to solve problems;
• Willingness to travel within California (approximately once every two months, typically for 2-3 days);
• Desire to work in an environment that values open communication, work-life balance, personal well-being, and positive relationships;
• Fluency in Spanish is highly preferred; proficiency in at least one variant of Mixteco is an advantage.

The qualifications listed above are comprehensive, and we recognize that exceptional candidates may possess only a subset of these skills or have other valuable skills. If you meet some of these qualifications, we encourage you to apply.

BENEFITS

Health and Welfare Benefits

• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance coverage
• Flexible Spending Accounts for transportation, healthcare, and dependent care expenses
• Employee Assistance Program

Financial Benefits

• Life Insurance, Disability Insurance, and Legal Insurance
• University of California Retirement Plan (a defined benefit plan)
• Deferred Compensation Plans/Pre-tax Retirement Savings Programs

Work-Life Balance Benefits

• Fifteen paid holidays annually
• Generous vacation and sick leave
• Commuter Benefits Program

APPLICATION PROCESS

A cover letter is required. The cover letter should articulate your interest in working for the Center for WorkLife Law and highlight relevant experiences, particularly those related to California paid leave, advocacy for farmworkers, and providing direct services.

This position is classified as sensitive and requires a pre-employment background check.

Federal law mandates that employers provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities. Please contact Human Resources if you require assistance in the application process. Examples of reasonable accommodations include modifications to the application process, providing documents in alternative formats, using sign language interpreters, or utilizing specialized equipment.

SELECTION PROCESS

Applicants who meet the qualifications will be evaluated to identify those whose experience and education most closely align with the stated requirements and the needs of the organization. Depending on the volume and quality of applications received, only the most qualified candidates may be contacted for an interview. The position remains open until filled.

UC Law SF is an equal opportunity employer. UC Law SF is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive educational environment that promotes cultural awareness, mutual understanding, and respect. UC Law SF welcomes candidates who will contribute to diversity and equal opportunity in higher education through their teaching. Qualified women and members of underrepresented minority groups are strongly encouraged to apply.