Staff Attorney / Policy Analyst (Remote)

ABOUT US:

Farmworker Justice (“FJ”) is a national non-profit organization dedicated to empowering farmworkers to improve their living and working conditions, occupational safety, immigration status, health, and access to justice. FJ engages in legislative and administrative advocacy, public education, capacity-building of community-based organizations, and impact litigation, frequently in collaboration with other organizations.

DESCRIPTION OF POSITION:

The Staff Attorney/Policy Analyst will play a crucial role in FJ’s work in advancing justice, equality, and dignity for farmworkers across the nation. This position requires a legal professional with a passion for social justice, an understanding of the intersection of immigration, labor, environmental justice, and occupational safety and health law, and a commitment to empowering marginalized communities. The Staff Attorney/Policy Analyst will be supervised by the Legal Director/Senior Attorney, engaging in strategic advocacy efforts and representing farmworkers and their organizations in lawsuits challenging illegal actions by government and private employers.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

● Legal advocacy and representation:

Support legal efforts to defend and advance the rights of farmworkers through litigation, advocacy, and policy reform. Provide direct representation in partnership with legal services organizations to farmworkers in labor disputes, occupational safety and health violations, wage theft cases, and other legal proceedings.

● Policy analysis and advocacy: Monitor legislative and regulatory developments affecting farmworker rights at state and federal level. Analyze proposed policies and advocate for reforms to strengthen labor protections, improve occupational safety and health, respond to climate change and other environmental threats, and expand access to justice for farmworkers.  Represent FJ on coalitions of immigrant advocates, labor advocates, and occupational safety and health and environmental justice advocates.

● Community outreach: Build partnerships with community-based organizations, labor unions, legal aid providers, law schools, private law firms, and other stakeholders to expand access to legal services and resources.

● Capacity building and training: Provide training and technical assistance to staff and community advocates on legal rights, procedures, and advocacy strategies. Lead the development of an online farmworker legal resource library to support farmworker legal services organizations and advocates. Develop resources and materials to support grassroots organizing, information-sharing, and legal empowerment in farmworker communities. Support the development of the biennial National Farmworker Law Conference and general organizational activities as needed.

● Collaboration and coalition-building: Work collaboratively with legal services organizations, advocacy partners, government agencies, and other stakeholders to share resources and coordinate efforts to advance labor, occupational safety and health, and environmental justice in farmworker communities.  Support FJ projects by providing policy and legal analysis on occupational safety and health, environmental justice, and health issues that impact farmworkers.

● Reporting and documentation: Maintain accurate records of legal cases and advocacy activities. Prepare regular reports on legal services provided, outcomes achieved, and impact on farmworker communities.

● Travel: Attend in-person meetings and conferences in DC and other locations around the country, as necessary.

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE/REQUIREMENTS:

● Juris Doctor (JD) degree from an accredited law school, and active bar membership in a U.S. state or territory.

● 1-3 years of litigation and policy experience, ideally in labor law, environmental justice, civil rights, or related areas.

● Demonstrated commitment to social justice, human rights, and economic justice, particularly in the context of farmworker rights advocacy.

● Knowledge of farmworker labor and employment law, including wage and hour regulations, collective bargaining rights, workplace safety standards, and worker protections.

● Excellent communication, writing, and advocacy skills, with the ability to engage diverse stakeholders and build consensus for policy change.

● Experience working with marginalized communities, immigrant populations, and/or agricultural workers preferred.

● Professional proficiency in spoken and written Spanish is highly desired.

● Able to travel on a periodic basis.

SALARIES, WORK LOCATION, AND BENEFITS:

The salary range for this position is: $70,000-$75,000 commensurate on experience. This is a full-time, FLSA exempt position.   FJ’s office is in Washington, D.C., but this position is open for remote work from the applicant’s homebase in the continental United States.  However, preference will be given to candidates residing in the mid-Atlantic region or near the Washington, DC Metro area.  Remote employees outside of the Eastern Time Zone would be required to work corresponding East Coast hours, generally, 9am-5pm ET.  Some periodic in-person DC meetings and domestic travel is required for this position. FJ offers a generous benefits package, including health insurance, dental insurance, generous PTO and paid holidays, and a 403b retirement program.

HOW TO APPLY/APPLICATION DEADLINE:

The position is open until filled. Interested applicants, please submit a cover letter and resume with your application to our jobs portal:  https://farmworker-justice-fund-inc.careerplug.com/j/02d3ldb  .

***In your cover letter, please explain why you are drawn to FJ’s mission and how your skills and experience make you an ideal fit for this role.  We are looking for candidates who can demonstrate a genuine commitment to our cause and showcase their relevant expertise and accomplishments. 

Farmworker Justice is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, national origin, marital status, religion, gender, age, disability, sexual orientation, or political affiliation. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply.

Reasonable accommodation will be made so that qualified applicants with disabilities may participate in the application process; no applicant will be penalized for requesting an accommodation. Please advise in writing of special needs at the time of application to jobs@farmworkerjustice.org

Information about our organization is available at www.farmworkerjustice.org .