Justice in Aging seeks an attorney with up to four years of experience and a commitment to social justice to join our Los Angeles office. This is a one-year position, with the possibility of renewal based on funding availability. The successful candidate will work closely with our strong, respected, and effective health team to ensure older adults receive the long-term services and supports that they require, with particular focus on older adults of color, women, those with limited English proficiency, and LGBTQ older adults. The attorney will play a key role in supporting legal services attorneys and aging and disability network professionals as part of the National Center on Law and Elder Rights (NCLER), which Justice in Aging administers under a contract with the Administration for Community Living.
Justice in Aging uses the power of law and our expertise in safety net programs like Medicare, Medicaid, Social Security, and SSI to fight senior poverty. Founded as a legal services back-up center in 1972, we have a rich tradition of successful, high-impact, strategic advocacy on behalf of the more than 7 million seniors living in poverty in America. The National Center on Law and Elder Rights (NCLER) is a national resource center for the legal services and aging and disability networks, focused on the legal rights of older adults with the greatest social and economic needs. Providing webinars, trainings, written materials, and case consultations, NCLER is a one-stop resource for professionals serving older adults with the greatest economic and social needs.
Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until the position is filled. Candidate review will begin on September 30, 2019. Questions about the position can be directed to Katrina Cohens, kcohens@justiceinaging.org.
Responsibilities
· Work with our health and NCLER teams to improve older adults’ access to long-term services and supports, including home and community-based services and nursing facility care.
· Develop written materials for both educational and advocacy purposes, including alerts, issue briefs, and training materials.
· Develop training for the legal services, aging and disability networks, and respond to questions and inquiries from persons in those networks.
· Establish and maintain relationships with members of the legal services, aging and disability networks, including legal services providers, social services providers, state units on aging, area agencies on aging, and others involved in protecting the legal rights of older adults.
· Work with other Justice in Aging team members to advance organizational objectives.
· Limited travel will be required.
Requirements
· A J.D. and current or pending admission to a state bar.
· Capacity to handle multiple projects simultaneously.
· Effective oral and written communication skills.
Desired
· Excellent interpersonal skills with ability to work as part of a team, build internal and external relationships, and work with partners.
· Collegial, collaborative approach.
· Diversity of personal and professional experience.
· Passion for social justice for low-income older adults and desire to provide assistance to underserved populations.
· Experience with or interest in partnering with organizations serving diverse populations and/or working with communities of color.
· Experience with or interest in direct legal services for low-income individuals (including through law school clinics, for example).
Compensation:
Salary for this position will range from $56,000 – $72,500 based on a fixed salary scale. Justice in Aging also offers a competitive benefits package, including health, dental and life insurance; flexible reimbursement plan; 403(b) retirement savings plan; parental leave, and generous vacation policy.
To Apply:
Please submit the following to Katrina Cohens, kcohens@justiceinaging.org: cover letter that describes your interest in this particular position and how your skill set would be a good fit, résumé, one writing sample, and three professional references. In your cover letter, please address the following in order for your application to be considered:
At Justice in Aging we advocate for older adults, particularly regarding systemic injustice and the resulting inequities that often impact women, people of color, LGBTQ individuals, and people with limited English proficiency. To promote social justice and best achieve our mission, Justice in Aging is committed to maintaining a diverse staff and creating an inclusive and respectful workplace in which differences are acknowledged and valued. How do you think your personal and/or professional experience or background has prepared you to contribute to a work environment with a strong commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion? Feel free to think broadly about your response to this question, applying various aspects of your life and personal experiences to your response.
Justice in Aging is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to maintaining a diverse staff and we particularly encourage applications from members of racial and ethnic minority groups, women, people with disabilities, the LGBTQ community, and others whose background may contribute to more effective representation of low-income people and underserved communities.
