Reports to
Health Consumer Center Directing Attorney   

FLSA Status

Full-Time, Exempt (Non-Union position)

Application Deadline   

Until Filled 

Salary

$85,895.93 to $98,021.53

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

For over 50 years, Central California Legal Services (“CCLS”) has represented and advocated for low-income individuals in the Central Valley. With more than 90 employees, our mission is to provide high quality, no-cost civil legal services to low-income individuals, families, and communities—improving the wellbeing of our Valley through systems-changing advocacy, client education, and legal work that meets individual clients’ immediate needs. We also work closely with agencies and community organizations that share our commitment to support our clients in being their own agents of change. 

JOB DESCRIPTION

CCLS seeks an energetic and experienced health attorney with a passion for social justice to supervise the Health Consumer Center (HCC). The HCC is part of the statewide Health Consumer Alliance (HCA), which is a network of ten consumer assistance programs operated by community-based legal services organizations across the state of California. The HCC provides direct legal services to residents in 11 counties throughout Central California related to obtaining, keeping, and using healthcare services. Members of the HCC educate health consumers about their rights and help them obtain and keep their health care coverage (we don’t help people apply), including Medi-Cal and Covered California; address and resolve medical billing issues, and remove obstacles preventing consumers from accessing their coverage by appealing insurance service denials, helping consumers find medical providers, and challenging issues surrounding network adequacy. This position supervises a team of staff members including attorneys, paralegals, and intake staff members, and requires collaboration with the Directing Attorney to ensure that all CCLS project and grant requirements are satisfied.

CCLS is an equal opportunity employer: we value equity, inclusion, and diversity, across all races, cultures, classes, ages, religions, gender identities and presentations, sexual orientations, body sizes, family structures, abilities, and all categories protected by law. We encourage all interested individuals to apply. CCLS is subject to a Collective Bargaining Agreement.

DUTIES

• Work with Directing Attorney to oversee Health Team’s Health Consumer Center’s substantive work, both internally at CCLS and externally within the Health Consumer Alliance (HCA); 
• Work with Directing Attorney and staff to set the HCC's policy priorities; 
• Participate in HCA leadership meetings, strategy meetings, and other HCC-relevant meetings and provide information to HCA on trends and impact issues happening within the HCC service area;
• Train new Health Consumer Center staff on substantive areas of law;
• Keep current on law changes impacting health consumers and the work done by the HCC, and update team members as appropriate; 
• Work with Directing Attorney to oversee intake and referral process for Health Consumer Center hotline (eventually Health LAL) and work with Directing Attorney to assign cases to HCC advocates; 
• Meet with advocates regularly to review case progress, discuss case strategy/next steps;
• Review cases to ensure program administrative compliance and timely completion of Legal Server and HCA Database entries;
• Assist Directing Attorney with data collection and gathering of information needed in grant and other reports; 
• Work with Directing attorney to identify case trends, and possible systemic issues where impact litigation would be appropriate;
• Handle a reduced caseload as needed for such purposes including, but not limited to co-counseling with newer advocates for training purposes, handling complex cases efficiently, and evaluation for potential impact litigation work; 
• Gather good stories and case trends to be used for board and grant reports; 
• Collaborate as needed with other CCLS substantive teams;
• Participate in community outreach events and legal workshops/clinics;
• Work with the Pro Bono Department to engage private law firms, corporate counsel and private attorneys in co-counseling and supporting CCLS’ work;
• Perform other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Member in good standing of the State Bar of California; 
• Minimum five years of experience as a practicing attorney;
• Prior management experience preferred;
• Knowledge of a range of health care issues affecting low-income individuals including eligibility, access to care, affordability with emphasis on managed care delivery systems issues;
• Strong litigation skills in California courts;
• Demonstrated commitment to public interest advocacy;
• Proven organizational, leadership and management skills;
• Team oriented, collaborative individual able to work with colleagues and external partners; 
• Strong written, oral and interpersonal skills;
• Ability to train, mentor, and inspire others;  
• Dedication to co-counseling with pro bono partners and volunteers;
• Bilingual ability preferred; 
• Commitment to CCLS’ mission and core values;  
• Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion;
• Ability to travel as needed, proof of liability and property insurance on vehicle used.