ABOUT PUBLIC COUNSEL

Public Counsel is a nonprofit public interest law firm dedicated to advancing civil rights and racial and economic justice, as well as to amplifying the power of our clients through comprehensive legal advocacy. Founded on and strengthened by a pro bono legal service model, our staff and volunteers seek justice through direct legal services, promote healthy and resilient communities through education and outreach, and support community-led efforts to transform unjust systems through litigation and policy advocacy in and beyond Los Angeles.

Public Counsel operates eight legal projects: Children’s Rights, Community Development, Consumer Rights & Economic Justice, Homelessness Prevention, Immigrants’ Rights, Veterans’ Rights, Audrey Irmas Gender Justice Project, and our impact litigation project, Opportunity Under Law. 

Public Counsel has a full-time staff of over 150. We are committed to building a diverse staff and encourage applications from people of color, people with disabilities, and people of all gender identities, gender expressions, and sexualities. We recognize the essential role of staff in achieving our goals, and we have set a long-term intention to provide competitive compensation, benefits, training, mentorship, and overall workplace wellness, making Public Counsel a leader among nonprofit law firms.

ABOUT GJP

The Audrey Irmas Gender Justice Project (GJP) is one of Public Counsel’s eight legal projects focused on advancing gender justice for women, girls, and gender-expansive individuals. Founded in 2017, the project engages in direct legal services, impact litigation, and policy work at the intersection of   race, poverty, and gender. GJP has primarily focused on advocating on behalf of low-wage workers and students who face gender-based harassment, discrimination, and violence at work and educational institutions. GJP’s direct services work includes: (1) a weekly workplace rights advice clinic; (2) direct representation in litigation and administrative proceedings involving discrimination and/or harassment in the workplace; wrongful termination; wrongful denial of wages, leave and/or other employment benefits; and (3) direct representation in Title IX complaints of sexual assault, sexual harassment, and/or sex discrimination in higher education. 

JOB SUMMARY

Reporting to the Directing Attorney, the new Project Coordinator will provide a range of administrative and program support for the GJP team. Key responsibilities will include:

• Conducting client intake and initial screening and coordinating client appointments for GJP’s weekly advice clinic;
• Facilitating client referrals to outside counsel and/or support services;
• Assisting with data collection for grant reporting and intake management using Public Counsel’s case management software; 
• Helping to prepare Know Your Rights presentations, flyers, and other outreach materials to support GJP’s community education efforts;
• Coordinating and engaging in outreach to community partners, including attending community events and presentations;
• Providing administrative support for administrative complaints and civil litigation, including filing documents in court, preparing basic legal documents, maintaining calendars, and assisting with discovery during litigation;
• Oral interpretation and written Spanish-English translation for attorneys and clients;
• Maintaining case management systems, including organizing GJP files on Public Counsel’s network database;
• General administrative support and related duties as assigned; and
• Other duties as assigned.

ESSENTIAL JOB SKILLS AND   ABILITIES

• Spanish-language fluency (written and oral);
• Commitment to gender/racial/social justice and the mission of Public Counsel;
• Ability to communicate in an empathetic and professional manner with supervisor, team members, and clients;
• Ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously, effectively prioritize workload, and change course as needed to meet the project’s needs;
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail;
• Mastery of computer programs such as Word, Excel, & PowerPoint, and the ability to use case management software and other databases;
• Experience and/or desire to work with people of diverse cultural, geographic, and economic backgrounds, including individuals with a history of trauma;
• Creative problem-solving skills;
• Interest in working in an interdisciplinary environment; 
• Graphic design skills a plus; and
• Associate or Bachelor’s Degree a plus.

JOB TYPE AND BENEFITS

• Full-time/non-exempt
• Salary range/hourly rate: $54,000 - $68,332.95 ($27.69 - $35.04 per hour)
• Bargaining
• Probationary period: 6 Months 

Public Counsel offers a competitive benefits package including:

• Medical coverage with an option for 100% employer-paid employee and dependent child(ren)’s premiums; buy-up options are available for other HMO and PPO coverage 
• Dental and vision coverage 
• Option to enroll in a Flexible Spending Account
• Employer-paid life insurance and disability plans

Generous paid time off (per year):

• 15 accrued vacation days that increase to 20 days after 3 years of employment
• 12 accrued sick days that may be used for physical and mental health needs
• 2 personal observance days 
• 11 paid holidays plus 2 one-week office closures (during the summer and winter)
• Up to 60 hours of compensatory time per calendar year (for exempt staff only)

Additional benefits:

• 37.5 hour work week for all full-time employees 
• 403(b) retirement plan with an elective employee contribution, and after a year of employment a discretionary employer contribution 
• Free on-site parking or public transportation reimbursement 
• $45 per pay period for employees who use non-English language skills to perform work duties
• Up to 6 months of parental leave 
• Organizational and team wellness activities to build team cohesion and camaraderie
• Professional development support and opportunities

HOW TO APPLY

We value lived experiences and experiences working with clients across a range of settings. Please consider discussing such experiences in your cover letter, especially if they are not reflected in your resume. 

PUBLIC COUNSEL VACCINATION POLICY AND COVID-19 PROTOCOLS

Public Counsel requires vaccination against COVID-19 for all employees, including new hires. Pursuant to federal and state laws, Public Counsel will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified employees with disabilities or sincerely held religious beliefs, unless doing so would pose an undue hardship.

Public Counsel is generally office-based, but remote work has been permitted during the pandemic. All employees with Public Counsel are required to work in the office at least one day per week, at the discretion of the head of department. Although the GJP Project Coordinator generally will work in the office one day per week, occasionally the Project Coordinator will need to attend the office more frequently to meet the project’s needs. Some positions require additional in-office days. This policy is subject to redesign by leadership. Public Counsel will work in a manner consistent with public health and local and state emergency orders. 

PUBLIC COUNSEL EEO POLICY

Public Counsel is an Equal Opportunity Employer that does not discriminate against employees or prospective employees on the basis of union membership or activity, race, religious creed, religious observance, ethnicity, color, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information or predisposition, military service, military and veteran status, pregnancy, child birth and related medical conditions, marital and family status, national origin, ancestry, age, medical conditions as defined by state or federal law, or disability, or any other basis prohibited by law.

All qualified applicants with criminal histories will be considered in a manner consistent with the requirements of the Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring.

Our leadership team is dedicated to this policy with respect to recruitment, hiring, placement, promotion, transfer, training, compensation, benefits, employee activities discipline, discharge and general treatment during employment.