Deputy Director
Status: Exempt, Full Time
Reports to: Executive Director
Direct Supervision for: Team Supervisors
Department: Management
Location: Santa Rosa, CA
Position eligible for Remote Work: 1 day per week
Salary Range: $106,000 - $120,000 annually DOE, plus a generous benefits package.
Job Summary
Legal Aid of Sonoma County (LASC) is a non-profit organization that provides low-income clients with assistance with protective orders, eviction defense, guardianships, elder law, and related legal remedies. LASC seeks a dynamic and passionate Deputy Director to support the Executive Director in the overall management of the agency, with a key focus on developing and managing programs with a mission-centered lens.
In collaboration with the Executive Director, the Deputy Director ensures the provision of high-quality legal services to our clients. The Deputy Director oversees the professional development of staff, as well as the development and implementation of program processes and policies. The Deputy Director provides support and works closely with team supervising attorneys and other members of the management team on program management and operations.
The Deputy Director works with the management team to establish priorities, allocate limited resources, oversee program systems, and foster positive staff morale and professional growth. External relations responsibilities will be shared between the Executive Director and the Deputy Director. This may include collaborations with the local bar associations, judiciary, social services, and other forms of community-based organizations.
As a member of the management team, the Deputy Director will contribute to a collaborative teamwork environment. This senior leadership role involves supervising the supervising team attorneys who in turn oversee all substantive programs.
Responsibilities:
Program & Policy Management
• Oversee day-to-day operations and programmatic functions, ensuring compliance with organizational policies, funding requirements and cohesion between programs.
• Provide supervision, guidance and mentorship to program supervisors.
• Attend recurring program meetings as needed to stay informed and contribute to program development.
• Convene recurring team supervisors' meetings as needed to stay informed and contribute to identifying problems and create actionable solutions collaboratively.
• In collaboration with other managers, develop, and facilitate the creation of agency policies and procedures.
• Oversee, develop, and facilitate the cultivation of resources for staff and clients, including sample litigation papers, template letters, internal guides, and external training and resources, in conjunction with program supervisors.
Grant Management
• Support the Executive Director in fundraising efforts by preparing grant applications and maintaining relationships with funders.
• Oversee grant compliance and reporting processes to meet funder requirements. Work closely with program managers to train on compliance and track and report on grant outcomes.
Board Support
• Collaborate with the Executive Director in preparing materials for Board of Directors’ meetings, including reports on program outcomes.
• Attend Board meetings and present updates on key organizational initiatives and program performance.
• Act as a bridge between staff and Board members.
Personnel Management
• Collaborate with HR and Pro Bono Manager and Executive Director on recruitment and onboarding processes.
• Support the Business Manager to ensure compliance with all EEO, FMLA, CFRA, and Federal, State and Local employment laws and regulations.
• Collaboratively create and manage the staff development plan with program managers for program staff at all levels--including access to continuing education, coaching and mentoring in support of the professional development needs of the program staff.
• Contribute towards strategies to enhance recruitment, engagement, and retention of talent needed to maintain the ability to deliver quality legal services and public policy advocacy.
• Provide staffing coverage for program managers and the Executive Director as needed, e.g. vacations, illnesses, and vacancies in order to maintain operational continuity.
Requirements:
Education and Experience
• Holds a Juris Doctor (JD) degree and member of a state bar in good standing (California preferred) or holds a Master's Degree in Public Administration, Nonprofit Management, Social Work, Business Administration or other relevant field.
• At least 5 – 10 years of providing direct legal services to low-income populations and vulnerable communities or comparable social justice, community advocacy, direct services experience.
• At least 4 years of nonprofit management or related experience
Technical Skills
• Deep understanding of legal services and the unique needs of low-income populations
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively with diverse stakeholders.
• Proven experience in strategic planning and program management
• Familiarity with budgeting and financial management
• Experience in grant writing and fundraising is a plus.
• Ability to organize and prioritize work effectively with great attention to detail, including a firm commitment to accurate and timely timekeeping reporting.
• Proficient in MS Office Suite and Database applications.
• Position requires driving to offsite locations, a valid CA Driver’s License and proof of current automobile insurance are required for this position.
Soft Skills
• Exceptional leadership and communication abilities, including conflict management skills.
• Active listener who actively seeks input from all team members
• Exhibits high integrity, trustworthiness, and unquestionable ethics.
• Encourages inclusivity, transparency, and logic-based decision making.
• Adaptable, flexible, and innovative; can challenge assumptions and find creative solutions to complex problems.
• Strong commitment to social justice and ensuring equal access to justice.
• All applicants must abide by LASC’s current COVID related and security protocols.
• Position may be contingent on passing a required FJC/Sonoma County District attorney background check.
Language Skills
• Bilingual in English and Spanish is highly preferred.
Physical Demands:
Ability to perform computer work. In addition to basic computer desk work, the employee is required to stand, walk, reach above shoulders, and climb or balance. The employee may occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 lbs.
Expected Hours of Work/Travel:
This position is not remote. Effective management and collaborative teamwork requires the Deputy Director to be onsite at least 4 days a week. Applicants must be within commuting distance of the LASC office in Santa Rosa, CA. This position is full time exempt. Exempt employees are expected to work the standard Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM work schedule. Their schedule may be adjusted as needed to meet the needs of the role which may include meetings or events outside of regular business hours / established standard work schedules. Local Travel to offsite meetings or events is typical for this position.
Other duties
Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.
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” and completion of the introductory period does not create an employment contract.
TO APPLY: Please submit a Cover Letter and Resume by email to Sunny Noh, Interim Executive Director, snoh@legalaidsc.com. Incomplete applications will not be considered. Note the posted salary range is firm and DOE.
Legal Aid of Sonoma County is an equal opportunity employer.
