LEGAL PROGRAM ASSOCIATE

CENTER FOR GENDER & REFUGEE STUDIES

CLASSIFICATION: Level 2 / Class Code 2030 / Full Time / Exempt / Benefited / Represented

ANTICIPATED HIRING RANGE: $60,000 - $65,000

ABOUT THE CENTER

The Center for Gender & Refugee Studies (CGRS) defends the human rights of refugees seeking asylum in the United States. With strategic focus and unparalleled legal expertise, CGRS champions the most challenging cases, fights for due process, and promotes policies that deliver safety and justice for refugees. We are the trusted partner and proven resource for legal services providers and other and human rights organizations and bring invaluable data and compelling personal stories to shape the public narrative. We use sTRATEGIC LITIGATION to advance sound asylum laws and protect due process rights. Through policy advocacy and education, we provide critical expertise to policymakers at all levels of government, leading the movement to honor our commitments to refugees and asylum seekers under U.S. and international law. Through tECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND TRAINING, we empower advocates to take on complex asylum cases, providing them with the tools they need to craft winning arguments and secure protections for their clients. CGRS is committed to building an anti-racist and anti-oppression organization that lives its values internally and externally.

THE ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES

CGRS is seeking a highly motivated individual passionate about refugee rights and ready to participate in all CGRS core program areas of policy and advocacy, training and technical assistance, and impact litigation. The position is based in San Francisco, California and the work includes both national and California-focused matters. The position is a dynamic one that will reflect the vision and flexibility of the organization in the changing landscape of attacks on refugee rights.

The Legal Program Associate will work under the direct supervision of a member of the CGRS Leadership Team but will provide support in various capacities to all CGRS programs. This role will primarily support CGRS' Policy & Advocacy and Training & Technical Assistance Programs, while performing occasional paralegal-type duties for the litigation team. Projects will include coordinating logistics for CGRS' leadership role in groundbreaking medical-legal partnerships to promote better legal and health outcomes for asylum seekers. The Legal Program Associate will be responsible for the following:

• Assist the Policy & Advocacy Program in all aspects of their work, including organizing and participating in meetings with key stakeholders, providing research support, proofreading and formatting reports or other written materials.
• Support CGRS' Communications and Advocacy Manager to generate content for the website, social media, and other communications regarding policy and legal developments, such as newsletters, press releases, and fundraising appeals.
• Liaise with web developers to make improvements to CGRS website.
• Provide research assistance and other support to CGRS' Manager of Regional Initiatives, including coordinating convenings, outreach to international partners, and other logistics.
• Assist in the development of technical assistance and training materials, including research, proofreading, and design of presentations, advisories, and other materials under the supervision of CGRS attorneys and in collaboration other legal program associates and coordinating and otherwise supporting production of webinars and in-person training opportunities.
• Participate in public outreach, promoting trainings, webinars, and other events, and provide support with all technology and other logistics involved in these presentations.
• Share in frontline technical assistance duties with fellow support staff including asylum case data maintenance and analysis.
• Coordinate monthly convenings of medical-legal coalition known as ImmHELP, assist with scheduling, note-taking, and tracking grant-funded deliverables. Create outreach materials, including the design, launch, and maintenance of the ImmHELP website. Engage in efforts to evaluate and measure impact of ImmHELP and other related CGRS program work.
• Provide support to CGRS attorneys litigating individual asylum cases as well as systemic challenges brought in federal court.
• Liaise between legal program staff and development staff, including providing information to comply with grant reporting.
• Provide other general program support on an as-needed basis.

REQUIREMENTS

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent work experience.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES

• Ability to write in a clear, structured, articulate, and persuasive manner.
• Strong proofreading skills.
• Enthusiasm to learn and grow in collaborative staff environment.
• Solid organizational and time-management skills.
• Proficiency with relevant software programs, e.g. MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint.
• Openness to learning how to support CGRS' website and online databases.
• Ability to work independently and within a team.
• Attention to detail.
• High level of productivity.
• Demonstrated commitment to refugee, human rights, and social justice issues.
• Willingness to travel.
• Proficiency in Spanish required (fluency a plus).

BENEFITS 

HEALTH AND WELFARE BENEFITS 

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

FOR YOUR FINANCIAL FUTURE   

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

FOR YOUR WORK/LIFE BALANCE 

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

THE HIRING PROCESS

Failure to provide the information as required on the application and/or instructions to apply shall immediately disqualify an applicant from employment consideration.

Please note: This position has been designated as “sensitive” and requires a pre-employment background check.

Federal law requires employers to provide reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities. Please contact Human Resources if you require a reasonable accommodation to apply for a job. Examples of reasonable accommodation include making a change to the application process, providing documents in an alternate format, using a sign language interpreter, or using specialized equipment.

WHAT TO EXPECT

Applicants who meet the position requirements will be competitively evaluated to identify the individuals whose breadth and depth of experience and education most closely relate to the stated requirements and the needs of the College. Not all applicants will be contacted for an interview.

The position is open until filled.

The skills listed above are comprehensive, and we understand there are great candidates who possess only a subset of those skills, or who have other important skills. If you match some of these skills, please do not hesitate to apply.

UC Hastings College of the Law is an Equal Opportunity Employer. UC Hastings strives to provide a diverse and inclusive educational environment that fosters cultural awareness, mutual understanding and respect. UC Hastings College of the Law is interested in 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.