Health Staff Attorney or Senior Staff Attorney
Los Angeles, Oakland, or Remote in California
Justice in Aging seeks a health attorney with a strong commitment to health equity and racial justice to join our organization in California. The successful candidate will join our respected and effective health team to ensure equitable access to health care and long-term services and supports for low-income older adults in California and nationally. Our work seeks to address the systemic and intersectional inequities faced by older adults of color, older women, LGBTQ older adults, older adults with disabilities, and older adults who are immigrants or have limited English proficiency.
Justice in Aging uses the power of law and our expertise in health care, long-term services and supports, economic security, and elder justice to fight senior poverty. We seek systemic change in law and policy to improve the lives of low-income older adults who experience inequities rooted in historical, persistent, and structural racism, ageism, sexism, ableism, homophobia, and xenophobia. Founded in 1972, we have a rich tradition of successful, high-impact, and strategic advocacy on behalf of the more than 7 million seniors living in poverty nationally. In California, we act as a support center for California’s qualified legal services programs.
The attorney in this position will advocate directly on Medi-Cal issues and Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) with state and local policy makers to improve access and affordability for low-income older Californians. The attorney will provide training and technical assistance to legal services attorneys as well as aging and disability network professionals, and work with other Justice in Aging staff, including our litigation team, to advance our HCBS advocacy in California and nationally. The attorney will also play a key role in continuing Justice in Aging’s advocacy to advance the health care and long-term services and supports goals in California’s Master Plan for Aging that promote the ability of all Californians to Age in Place, using administrative and legislative advocacy as well as litigation.
The attorney can be based in one of our two California offices (Los Angeles or Oakland) or work fully remotely from anywhere in California. Most of Justice in Aging’s staff are currently working remotely due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Justice in Aging is a federal contractor and will be subject to the federal contractor vaccine mandate.
Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until the position is filled, with application review beginning on November 15, 2021. Please indicate the position you are applying for in the subject line of your email. If you have questions about the position or need an accommodation for the application process, please inquire at hiring@justiceinaging.org.
Responsibilities:
Use administrative and legislative advocacy, as well as litigation when necessary, to increase equitable access to health care and Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS), including In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) for low-income older adults in California.
Work in coalition and develop and maintain relationships with members of legal services organizations, health equity organizations, aging and disability organizations, social services, the Department of Health Care Services, Department of Social Services and other state aging and disability agencies, and others involved in protecting the legal rights of older adults and advancing racial justice and equity.
Develop written materials for both educational and advocacy purposes, such as email alerts, issue briefs, training materials, and/or litigation documents.
Develop training for the legal services and aging and disability networks, and respond to questions and inquiries from persons in those networks.
Work with other Justice in Aging team members, including our housing staff and litigation team, to advance organizational objectives, including our new Advancing Equity Strategic Initiative.
Limited travel will be required when public health conditions permit.
Requirements:
A J.D. and current admission to the California bar.
Experience working on Medi-Cal in California including home and community-based services like In-Home Supportive Services and other health programs on which low-income older adults rely.
A passion for social justice, including interest in working on behalf of older adults of color, older women, LGBTQ older adults, older adults with disabilities, and older adults who are immigrants or have limited English proficiency.
Desired:
Excellent interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to write clearly, work as part of a team, build internal and external relationships, and work with and lead coalition partners.
Professional or personal experience working with communities of color and/or advancing racial equity.
Experience with or interest in direct legal services for low-income older adults and/or people with disabilities, including experience or interest in litigation.
Compensation:
Salary for this position will be based on a fixed salary scale based on experience level. For example, the salary for an attorney with 5 years of experience would be $80,000, and the salary for an attorney with 12 years of experience would be $101,500. Justice in Aging also offers a competitive benefits package, including health, dental, and life insurance; flexible reimbursement plan; 403(b) retirement savings plan with 8% automatic employer contribution; paid parental leave, sabbatical leave, and compensatory time, and generous vacation policy.
Requirements:
- A J.D. and current admission to the California bar.
- Experience working on Medi-Cal in California including home and community-based services like In-Home Supportive Services and other health programs on which low-income older adults rely.
- A passion for social justice, including interest in working on behalf of older adults of color, older women, LGBTQ older adults, older adults with disabilities, and older adults who are immigrants or have limited English proficiency.
To Apply:
Please submit the following to hiring@justiceinaging.org:
(1) Cover letter that describes your interest in this particular position and how your skill set would be a good fit;
(2) Resume;
(3) One writing sample; and
(4) Three professional references.
In your cover letter, you must address the following prompt in order for your application to be considered: To promote social justice and best achieve our mission, Justice in Aging is committed to maintaining a diverse staff and creating an inclusive and respectful workplace in which differences are acknowledged and valued. How do you think your personal or professional experience or background has prepared you to contribute to a work environment with a strong commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion? Feel free to think broadly about your response to this question, applying various aspects of your life and personal experiences to your response.
Please indicate the position you are applying for in the subject line of your email. We accept applications on a rolling basis, with review beginning on November 15, 2021.