Job Announcement –

Volunteer Attorney Program Coordinator

Bakersfield, California

Application Deadline – Open Until Filled

General Job Discription:

WHAT IS THE VOLUNTEER ATTORNEY PROGRAM?

GBLA calls its Private Attorney Involvement Program (PAI) the Volunteer Attorney Program (VAP) of Kern County.

PURPOSE FOR THE VOLUNTEER ATTORNEY PROGRAM.

VAP’s goal is to involve private attorneys and others in the delivery of legal information and assistance to benefit indigent and low-income eligible clients. Established in the 1980s as part of legal services, private attorneys are sought to advise on legal cases, represent clients, and lead training and workshops. VAP strives to provide thoughtful, up-to-date, and innovative ways to engage private attorneys and others to achieve this goal.

The VAP Coordinator, under the supervision of GBLA’s Director of Litigation or designee, is responsible for executing day-to-day operations. The VAP Coordinator is responsible for working with the Kern County Bar Association and other specialty bars and Bar Association sections in recruiting volunteer attorneys who will provide high quality legal services to eligible clients. The VAP Coordinator will establish new Law School partnerships and assist with the recruitment of prelaw students, and law students. The VAP coordinator will serve as the main point of contact between volunteer attorneys, students, and GBLA.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Must have a Juris Doctor degree.
• Must have excellent analytical, organizational, and writing skills.
• Must be willing to network and attend social events throughout the community outside of normal work hours to establish new relationships with private attorneys and Jurisdiction leaders.
• Strong oral and written communication skills.
• Must be proficient in Microsoft 365.
• Demonstrated commitment to public interest advocacy.
• A high degree of initiative and willingness to work collaboratively with others.
• Demonstrated ability to supervise and provide leadership.
• Ability to meet with clients in a manner best suited (may require travel).
• Bilingual capacity in Spanish is not required but strongly preferred.

Duties and Responsibilities-

(This list is not all-inclusive and does not limit the scope of other duties for this position):

• Execute the administration of the Volunteer Attorney Program (VAP) under the direction of the Director of Litigation.
• Recruit private attorneys to provide legal services to low-income residents of Kern County, while working closely with committees of the Kern County Bar Association and minority and specialty bars to assure maximum participation in VAP by all members.
• Engage attorneys in Pro Bono work.
• Assist the Director of Litigation in the development and ongoing improvement of GBLA’s private attorney involvement plan.
• Ensure clients are appropriately referred to volunteer attorneys that have experience in particular areas of the law, client confidentiality is maintained, and high-quality legal services are provided in an efficient manner.
• Respond expeditiously to inquiries and requests for assistance from participating attorneys.
• Develop legal training programs for participating volunteers.
• Develop or assist in the development of plans for the use and ongoing supervision of paralegals, law students, and support staff in furtherance of VAP goals and objectives.
• Day-to-day supervision of VAP student interns.
• Maintain accurate files and manage a database of participating volunteers.
• Other Duties as needed.

Compensation

The hourly wage for this full-time, non-exempt role is $27.92 to $32.36, and the final offer is dependent on experience, job-related skills, and qualifications.

To Apply

Please email a cover letter, writing sample, resume, and three professional references to HR@gbla.org. You may also mail the above documents to Greater Bakersfield Legal Assistance, Inc., 615 California Ave., Bakersfield, CA 93304.

Benefits

Coverage is effective on the first day of the month following thirty (30) days of employment unless otherwise noted.

· Medical Insurance

o Employer-paid premium for all full-time employees

o HMO plan with Kaiser Permanente

o Optional spouse/domestic partner/dependent coverage (employee paid)

o Coverage becomes effective on the 1st day of the month after 30 days of employment

o Section 125 Plan allows pre-tax payment for optional coverage

· Dental Insurance

o Employer-paid premium for all full-time employees, spouse, and dependents

o Delta Dental 1500 Plan

o Coverage becomes effective on the 1st day of the month after 30 days of employment

· Vision Insurance

o Employer-paid premium for all full-time employees, spouse, and dependents

o VSP Plan

o Coverage becomes effective on the 1st day of the month after 30 days of employment

· Life Insurance

o Employer-paid premium for all full-time employees

o Employee coverage (3x annual salary, max $500k)

o Spouse coverage ($10,000)

o Dependent coverage ($5,000)

o Coverage becomes effective on the 1st day of the month after 30 days of employment

· GBLA maintains a Long & Short-Term Disability plan for all full-time employees

· Retirement 403(b) plan: no waiting period, employee-only contributions

· GBLA observes all judicial holidays observed by the Superior Court of California, County of Kern

· Vacation (accrual begins on the first day of employment)

o 0 to < 2 years: 2 weeks / 12 days / 7.5 hours monthly

o 2 to < 4 years: 3 weeks / 18 days / 11.25 hours monthly

o 4 to < 8 years: 4 weeks / 24 days / 15 hours monthly

o 8 years: 5 weeks / 30 days / 18.75 hours monthly

· Wellness benefits: GBLA pays a portion of a discounted group membership to a local gym and employees have access to Kaiser’s mental health app “Headspace”

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $24.74 - $28.68 per hour

Expected hours: 75 per week

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Monday to Friday

Experience:

• Customer service: 1 year (Preferred)

Ability to Commute:

• Bakersfield, CA 93304 (Required)

Ability to Relocate:

• Bakersfield, CA 93304: Relocate before starting work (Required)

Work Location: In person

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $27.92 - $32.36 per hour

Expected hours: 75 per week

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Monday to Friday

License/Certification:

• Bar (Preferred)

Ability to Commute:

• Bakersfield, CA 93304 (Required)

Ability to Relocate:

• Bakersfield, CA 93304: Relocate before starting work (Required)

Work Location: In person