Staff Attorney

Job Description

Job Description

Salary : $90,000.00 - $110,000.00

JOB DESCRIPTION

July 2024

Staff Attorney - Pathways to Freedom

ELLA BAKER CENTER

FOR HUMAN RIGHTS

OAKLAND, CA

ORGANIZATIONAL BACKGROUND

The Ella Baker Center for Human Rights (EBC) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in Oakland, California, organizing to shift resources away from prisons and punishment towards opportunities that make our communities safe, healthy, and strong.

Named after civil rights hero Ella Baker, we mobilize Black, Brown, and low-income people to build power in our communities.

For over 25 years, we have worked from the community to the legislative level to free our people from state violence. We are currently working to end mass incarceration and mass criminalization in the United States through Truth and Reinvestment moving resources away from failed criminal legal policies and into creating opportunities, also known as books not bars, jobs not jails, healthcare not handcuffs.

Through our programs, such as successful organizing in Alameda County, a robust state policy platform, and national leadership in the movement to end mass incarceration, EBC is building a culture of care to replace cages and cops.

The Ella Baker Center Action Fund (EBCAF) is a 501(c)(4) nonprofit organization and a separate but affiliated organization with the Ella Baker Center for Human Rights.

EBCAF mobilizes our communities current and formerly incarcerated people, their loved ones, people who are low income, and Black and Brown communities to exercise their full political power and hold institutions accountable.

Like our namesake Ella Baker, we understand that true power lies within the people. EBCAF was born out of the vision to further build power amongst those most impacted by incarceration and criminalization.

We mobilize these communities to ensure that our elected officials are focused on addressing the root causes of harm in our communities, instead of investing in failing institutions, such as prisons and policing, that exacerbate that harm.

OUR VALUES

At Ella Baker Center, we win by doing our liberation work in alignment with and guided by our core values :

• Prioritize people most impacted by policing and prisons
• Accountability
• Black Liberation
• Interconnection
• Transformation
• Culture of Care and Healing
• Self-Determination

The ideal candidate at EBC understands that our work uplifts the leadership and strategies of those most impacted by the criminal system : working-class people of color.

Our primary aspiration is Black liberation, as these communities are the most harmed by policing and prisons. We practice accountability to our communities and each other by giving and receiving feedback, communicating directly, and building a culture of restorative justice.

We seek staff who are looking to not only transform the world but are themselves excited to be personally transformed by organizing for liberation while caring for ourselves or each other.

Transformation means that we do not turn anyone away who seeks our advocacy or support based on what the state has charged them with.

Inherent in collective liberation work we ask our staff to do the personal work of organizing to dismantle white supremacy and cisheteropatriarchy, and practice anti-oppression in everyday relationships.

Our values mean we are building a leaderful movement, with an emphasis on those who have been systematically denied leadership and power.

POSITION SUMMARY

EBC’s new Staff Attorney will be a key contributor to our Pathways to Freedom work - supporting both the advancement of parole reform, as well as direct representation, and community-led advocacy for people seeking to be free of the criminal legal system.

This position will also supervise 2-3 staff and interns. In addition, the Staff Attorney will support strategic organizing, policy advocacy, and building power with impacted people, including currently and formerly incarcerated people and their loved ones.

PRIMARY ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Advance Parole Reform

• In coordination with the Co-Director of Programs, assess the current status of parole reform efforts in California and spearhead EBC’s strategic advancement of parole reform objectives.
• Build and steward relationships with key stakeholders, including policymakers, allied organizations, and impacted communities in order to identify reforms that could improve grant rates.
• Meet with impacted community members to vet and review policy proposals related to the parole board process.
• Track regulations and policy changes related to the parole board or parole supervision process.
• Research and track legislation and policy changes for the parole board process nationally.
• Identify base-building opportunities among parole advocacy campaigns.
• Represent EBC at coalition meetings & external partner events.
• Assist with incorporating members and community members into EBC-wide political education efforts.

Support Community-led Pathways to Freedom Advocacy

• Represent community members in parole hearings as a licensed attorney.
• Revise and update resources and materials relating to various means of advocacy for parole consideration, including elderly, youth, and medical parole.
• Review and revise resources and materials related to advocacy for other pathways to freedom, including but not limited to, Racial Justice Act implementation, Clemency, and Referrals for Resentencing.
• Respond to legal mail and conduct legal visits.
• Draft and file PRA requests as needed.
• Supervise at least two staff and interns as needed.

Track Parole related matters

• Track Parole Board appointments and confirmations.
• Track and advocate for parole-related budget items.
• Attend BPH executive meetings, and track agendas and decisions with the goal of developing strategies to decrease rescissions and grant denials.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS AND SKILLS

• Proven commitment to social and racial justice, and alignment with EBC’s values.
• Be located in the Bay Area.
• Licensed to practice law in California. Current active membership and good standing with the State Bar of California.
• Team player, collaborative attitude, comfort with sharing skills, labor, and being delegated work.
• Understanding of state criminal-legal systems, including key issues and best practices & their impact on individuals’ lives.
• Comfortable and skilled at communicating with a wide diverse audience, including Black and Brown communities, incarcerated people and their loved ones, formerly incarcerated people, people with low or no incomes, and movement partners.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Strong time management skills & practices.
• Displayed experience with volunteers, staff, and event coordination & logistics.
• 2-3 or more years of experience in racial, criminal, and / or economic justice campaign work.
• Experience with facilitation and public speaking skills.
• Willingness to travel for events and outreach, including in prisons and jails.
• Willingness to learn & use technical skills and digital platforms.
• Commitment to using 2SLGBTQIA+ staff and community names & pronouns.
• Bi-lingual Spanish and English is a PLUS!
• Valid driver's license or alternative means to travel to the office, events, and other relevant EBC responsibilities.

REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS

This is a full-time, salaried exempt position that requires on-site presence and will be a member of the management team.

There will be times when the position will be required to work in the evenings, and on weekends, and will be on call during office closures.

The Staff Attorney reports to the Co-Director of Programs.

SALARY AND BENEFITS

The salary range for this positon is $90,000 to $110,00 per year, based on professional and lived experince, the number of years practicing law and legislative advocay.

The Ella Baker Center for Human Rights offers a competitive benefits package to its full-time employees, which includes employee health, vision, dental, chiropractor, acupuncture, LTD, life insurance, EAP, paid holidays, vacation and sick time, and the option to enroll in a 401k program.

We cover 100% of the employee-only premiums for all medical coverage. Medical coverage begins the 1st of the month, after the date of hire.

All Ella Baker Center staff are provided support with professional development. Ella Baker Center will also provide the Staff Attorney with access to a LexisNexis subscription.

EVERYONE IS WELCOME

The Ella Baker Center is an equal opportunity employer. Individuals of color, 2SLGBTQIA+ people, individuals with past involvement in the criminal legal system, or who have loved ones currently or formerly impacted by the criminal legal system are strongly encouraged to apply.

We welcome candidates with nontraditional backgrounds. We believe in both the necessity in building a broad, diverse movement to effectuate change and the importance of centering the experiences and leadership of those most impacted by the legal system.

We are committed to investing in the leadership of people of color and formerly incarcerated people. If you are wondering if you are qualified to apply, please do.

HOW TO APPLY https : / / ellabakerchr.bamboohr.com / careers

Submit the following application materials :

• Resume or summary of relevant experience.
• A thoughtful cover letter about your interest in the position.

COVID-19 VACCINATION

The Ella Baker Center for Human Rights recommends vaccinations to prevent the spread of communicable diseases. Fully vaccinated is determined two weeks after completing a primary vaccination with a COVID-19 vaccine, with, if applicable, at least the minimum recommended interval between doses.

All newly hired employees are requested to report their vaccination status and to provide proof of vaccination.

The Ella Baker Center for Human Rights requires all employees to wear a mask when working within the building and at EBC-sponsored gatherings.

Employees may be legally entitled to a reasonable accommodation if they cannot be vaccinated and / or wear a face covering (as otherwise required by this policy) because of a disability, or if the provisions in this policy for vaccination, and / or testing for COVID-19, and / or wearing a face covering conflicts with a sincerely held religious belief, practice, or observance.

START DATE

Fall 2024

Nothing in this job description restricts Ella Baker Center’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.

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.