If you require an accommodation due to a disability to complete this application OR you are experiencing issues submitting your application and accompanying
materials please e-mail talent@disabilityrightsca.org.
Make a difference! We stand for the rights of people that have disabilities….JOIN US!
Individuals who are Deaf or Disabled are encouraged to apply.
Location: Sacramento, Oakland or Los Angeles (Currently Hybrid)
SALARY RANGE (Depending on Experience): $25.64-$38.42 per hour
We base salary and position offers on experience and an internal equity analysis.
Employment Status: Non-Exempt; Regular; Full time (37.5 hrs)
EXCELLENT BENEFITS including 8% 401k Match, a language differential up to $250/mo. Health (HMO and PPO options), dental, vision, basic life insurance, short-term and long-term disability insurance and flexible spending accounts (medical, dependent care and commuter). Additionally, we offer ample vacation, sick/self care leave and eighteen paid holidays (including the last week in December) and more….. We are a Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) – eligible employer.
Application Deadline: Open until filled. Applications should be received by June 2, 2023 to be considered for the first round of interviews. Please submit a resume and cover letter explaining how you meet the minimum requirements and why you are a great fit for this position.
WHO WE ARE
Disability Rights California (DRC) defends, advances, and strengthens the rights and opportunities of people with disabilities.
DRC works for a world where all disabled people have power and are treated with dignity and respect. In this world, people with disabilities are supported, valued, included in their communities, afforded the same opportunities as people without disabilities, and make their own decisions.
DRC values all forms of human diversity. We are committed to a culture of belonging where all people are welcome. In order to be effective advocates for all people with disabilities, we must address discrimination in all its forms, including the unique challenges faced by people who experience the intersection of multiple systems of discrimination.
Mental Health Practice Group
The MHPG engages in multi-modal advocacy to enforce and expand the rights of people living with mental health disabilities, including through the provision of accommodations, equal access, equal opportunity, and fair treatment.
We advocate for the rights of individuals with mental health disabilities within locked facilities, work to improve access to community-based alternatives to institutions and homelessness, and strive to address the intersectional needs of people with mental health disabilities, especially those from traditionally underserved and underrepresented populations.
We are a diverse and collaborative team that values flexibility, adaptability, and innovation in a legal landscape which has been significantly changed by the pandemic.
PURPOSE OF THE JOB
The Legal Support 2 acts as legal and administrative support to enhance the effectiveness of the legal/advocacy staff by providing legal secretarial/paralegal support and information management support. Disability Rights California will provide ongoing training opportunities for this position. We are seeking candidates with experience in litigation involving California and Federal law that relate to disability/mental health legal claims.
JOB RESPONSIBILITIES
DRC provides reasonable disability accommodations to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Legal Support 2 essential functions include:
Technical -80%
• Provides support to a team of attorneys and advocates.
• Support complex litigation and e-filing in various courts in the state of California (State, Federal, Appellate), including case planning with attorneys and support teams.
• Utilizes organizational skills to assist attorneys effectively and efficiently with case file maintenance, court filings, and client communications.
• Establish, maintain, and monitor recordkeeping and program data management systems including document management responsibilities including opening and closing cases.
• Ability to use various database, project management and video conference programs.
• Coordinate and provide logistical support for complex projects, trainings, and conferences.
• Maintain calendar, record appearance dates and legal deadlines.
• Categorize legal and discovery documents.
• Monitor case flow documentation.
• Prepare and update legal binders.
• Perform online legal research for legal advocacy staff.
• Create and maintain legal templates and forms.
Customer Service -20%
• Manage high volume client matters.
• Communicate with clients, direct telephone calls, and coordinate conference calls.
• Distribute materials; copy; fax; and process mail.
• Provide mentorship, review, and verify support staff’s work including changes to court rules (federal & state), court filings, and formatting of documents.
Legal Support 2 marginal functions
• Coordinate and make travel arrangements.
• Provide backup support.
• Participate in outreach activities to minority and underserved communities.
• Perform other duties as assigned.
TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS
Ability to travel infrequently for activities such as training or outreach activities up to 10% of the time.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
High school diploma or general education degree (GED); five years direct litigation support experience in a law office or court practicing in federal and state court; and two years of experience successfully leading, developing, mentoring and training other legal support staff
LICENSES / CERTIFICATES
A Paralegal Certificate preferred.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
• Experience with Mental Health Law and matters.
• Experience using Microsoft Office 365 including Teams.
• Experience using Westlaw or other legal research database and researching local court rules.
• Experience using Everlaw or other litigation support and legal review service platform.
• Experience working with nonprofit and/or social service agencies.
• Experience running reports and collecting data.
• Contacts with disability organizations and/or within disability communities.
• Contacts with multi-ethnic organizations and/or within multi-ethnic communities.
• Experience working with and/or sensitivity to persons with disabilities and/or experience working with and/or sensitivity to persons from multi-ethnic communities.
• Life experience as a person with a disability OR direct experience as a caregiver of a family member with a disability.
• Ability to communicate fluently in Spanish, Chinese, Tagalog, Vietnamese, Korean, or American Sign Language.
WORKING CONDITIONS
Work is done in a typical office environment, which includes regular sitting, use of a computer, written and verbal communication through a computer. May occasionally require standing, stooping, kneeling, and crouching primarily related to filing and processing paperwork. May occasionally encounter lifting, as exampled by adding paper to a copy machine.
HOW TO APPLY:
To be considered for this position, applicants MUST submit the following:
1. Disability Rights California Employment Application (must fill out completely; do not state “See Resume”).
2. Resume
3. Attach a cover letter. In your cover letter, Please submit a resume and cover letter explaining how you meet the minimum requirements and why you are a great fit for this position.
Incomplete applications will not be considered
At Disability Rights California, we value diversity among our employees because unique perspectives allow us to effectively serve Californians with disabilities from a wide range of cultural backgrounds. As an equal opportunity employer, we hire without regard to race, color, ancestry, national origin, religion, creed, age (over 40), Disability (mental and physical), sex, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, military and veteran status, or any other protected characteristic.
Disability Rights California endorses and supports the intent of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) and the California Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA) and is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities who are applicants or employees who need accommodations.