Housing Policy Attorney
Reports to: Deputy Director
Status: 1.00 FTE Full Time – Exempt
Salary range: $73,000 - $100,000 annually, depending on years of active Bar experience.
Legal Aid of Sonoma County (LASC) engages in local housing policy efforts to decrease displacement and increase the availability of safe, affordable rental housing for Sonoma County residents. This need is even more pressing considering the continued destabilizing effects of COVID-19, fires and floods on the housing of low-income and BIPOC communities.
The position includes but is not limited to working on eviction protections, rental inspection programs, housing element policies, supporting the Sonoma County Tenants’ Union and collaborating and fostering the relationships among a broad coalition of housing and tenant advocates in the region. The Housing Policy Attorney will meet with local, and state elected officials to encourage policies that protect tenants and collaborate with the Community Development Commission, North Bay Organizing Project, CBO’s in Sonoma County, and local housing advocates to advance these initiatives. The Attorney will also work closely with LASC’s housing team.
Duties and Responsibilities:
Community Outreach and Education
1. Conduct workshops, clinics and community education presentations to help low-income tenants know their legal rights.
2. Meet regularly with community partners and elected officials.
3. Provide legal and policy support to Tenant Associations and the Sonoma County Tenant’s Union.
4. Develop written materials to educate mobile home park residents and owners, and Sonoma County tenants about their legal rights under any new policies created.
5. Provide advice and research assistance to community partners regarding local and state housing laws.
6. Provide technical assistance to local governmental agencies in furtherance of advancing desired tenant or mobile home protections, including but not limited to drafting model ordinances.
General Operations
1. Work with community partners to ensure that community needs and voices are centered in the policy work. Participate in ongoing program operation, design and implementation. Organize and facilitate regular partner and stakeholder meetings.
2. Work closely with Legal Aid housing staff to coordinate project efforts with Legal Aid’s direct client services. Attend regularly scheduled housing team and agency wide staff meetings.
3. Track Project outcomes and data in LASC database.
4. Produce periodic grant reports within required deadlines.
5. Attend and participate in agency fundraising events, outreach events and other activities as assigned.
Skills and Experience Required:
At least 2 years of demonstrated successful housing law litigation experience, including familiarity with eviction defense, habitability, mobile home issues, fair housing, and Section 8, with emphasis on policy work or housing advocacy preferred.
Excellent communication skills, ability to work collaboratively with a wide range of community stakeholders, public speaking, flexibility, and teamwork required.
Ability to relate to diverse client population, including low-income, disabled, and senior clients.
Working knowledge of computer applications including Westlaw, Microsoft Office and database programs.
Ability to organize and prioritize work effectively with great attention to detail, including timely record keeping and capturing of data and results achieved for reports to funders.
A firm commitment to accurate and on-time time reporting (on bi-weekly time sheets and in the LASC database) is required.
Valid CA Driver’s License and current proof of automobile insurance required.
This position is not remote. Applicants must be within commuting distance of the LASC office in Santa Rosa, CA.
All applicants must abide by LASC’s current COVID related and security protocols.
Skills and Experience Desired but not Required:
Previous experience in legal services and/or demonstrated commitment to public interest law work or to legal services for the poor, disabled or elderly, is strongly preferred.
Prior legislative or policy experience.
Ability to Speak Spanish.
Education Required:
Juris Doctorate and active membership in the California Bar.
Benefits: Legal Aid of Sonoma County provides a dynamic and supportive work environment, and an excellent benefit package after the completion of an initial 90-day introductory period. Benefits include eligibility for company paid health insurance for the employee or cash-in-lieu, company paid dental insurance, eligibility for 401K participation after one year of continuous employment, and very generous paid vacation/sick/holiday leave policies. Note the benefits package is for the employee only, LASC does not provide health or dental coverage for spouses or dependents. Note that employment at LASC is ‘at will’, completion of an introductory period does not create an employment contract.
To Apply: Please submit resume and cover letter by email to Sunny Noh, Deputy Director.
Legal Aid of Sonoma County is an equal opportunity employer.
The posted salary range is firm and dependent on active years of Bar experience. LASC is a non-profit organization, any employment at LASC may be contingent on continued funding from program specific contracts and grants.
