Job Opportunities

Full Time: 32 Hours Per week

Reports to: Supervising Attorney

FLSA: Exempt

Location: Santa Cruz – Hybrid

Description

The Staff Attorney is the primary client contact for a wide variety of important legal matters for our professional, non-profit law office. The Staff Attorney position upholds a strict level of organization, communication, confidentiality and professionalism.

About Senior Legal Services (www.seniorlegal.org)

SLS has provided high-quality, free legal services to elderly residents of Santa Cruz and San Benito Counties since 1972. The highest priority of the organization is to defend the right of the elderly to quality health care, social integration, to secure their persons and property, and to be free of discrimination based on age or disability.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under direct supervision of the Executive Director and/or Supervising Attorney, the Staff Attorney will primarily handle all aspects of housing cases with an emphasis on eviction defense.

Duties include but are not limited to:

• Intake screening
• Interviewing clients about their legal issues
• Investigates and conducts legal research
• Provides information, advice, community outreach, education, and referrals
• Prepares legal forms and correspondence, negotiates settlements with attorneys and administrative agencies, assists in representation of clients at administrative and court hearings.
• Maintain client database and prepare statistical reports for grant purposes.
• Participate in weekly case review, monthly staff meetings, and other SLS activities.
• Maintain contemporaneous time records in case management system.
• Engage in professional development, including attending training, engaging in self-study to ensure providing accurate, updating information on legal options and processes surrounding housing law.
• Establish and maintain professional relationships interactions with various partnering and community agencies.
• Maintain great working relationships and positive communication with all staff.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Have active membership in good standing with the California State Bar.
• At least one year of experience conducting state court litigation or providing legal representation or advice (preferred).
• Have direct client service experience.
• Have excellent writing and oral communication skills.
• Sensitive to the needs of elderly clients.
• Be familiar with Elder Law issues such as elder abuse restraining orders, Social Security, Powers of Attorney, and other areas of law handled by SLS.

Physical Requirements

Physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job with or without reasonable accommodation. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to grasp, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; talk and hear. The employee is required to sit, walk and stand for extended periods of time. The employee must be able to work for 8 hours in close quarters with other employees. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

Our Commitment to Inclusivity and Inclusion

SLS is committed to diversity and cultivating a culture of equity and inclusion within where all staff can flourish and grow professionally and well beyond. We are an equal employment opportunity employer and do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religious creed, sex, pregnancy, gender, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, age, medical condition, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity (including transgender status) or any other basis prohibited by law.

Full-Time (32 hours/week)

Onsite in Santa Cruz, Watsonville, and Hollister

Starting Pay: $25.86/hour

Reports to: Supervising Attorney

Make a Difference Every Day

Imagine walking into work knowing that your efforts will help protect someone’s housing, secure
their healthcare, or ensure they are treated with dignity. At Senior Legal Services, you’ll join a
passionate team dedicated to defending the rights of older adults in our community. Your work will
have a direct and lasting impact on the lives of people who need it most.

About Senior Legal Services

Since 1972, Senior Legal Services has been providing high-quality, free legal help to older adults in
Santa Cruz and San Benito Counties. We work to protect the rights of our clients—helping them
secure quality healthcare, maintain independence, protect their housing, and live free from
discrimination based on age or disability.

What You’ll Do

As a Legal Staff Advocate, you’ll play a key role in delivering legal services and supporting our
attorneys.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Interviewing/Intaking clients to understand their needs
• Identifying and reporting any potential conflicts of interest
• Managing your own caseload
• Conducting legal research and investigations
• Drafting legal documents and correspondence
• Supporting attorneys and paralegals (or other Advocates) as needed
• Assisting with front desk needs such as answering the phone, greeting walk-ins, scheduling
  clients, or scanning in documents as needed
• Assisting with community outreach and training activities
• Contributing to office decisions, policies, and team operations

What We’re Looking For

Required Skills & Experience

• Strong computer skills (Microsoft Office Suite, Google Workspace)
• Proficiency with Excel
• Excellent attention to detail and strong written/verbal communication skills
• Ability to manage multiple projects in a fast-paced environment
• Preferred Qualifications
• Experience in a law firm or legal aid setting
• Experience working with clients in crisis, including those with mental health concerns or
  trauma
• Commitment to serving older adults, people with disabilities, and other disadvantaged
  communities
• Bilingual in English & Spanish (strongly preferred)
• Comfortable representing the organization in the community

Physical Requirements

This position involves sitting, standing, and walking for extended periods, lifting up to 15 lbs, and
working closely with colleagues in shared office space.

Our Commitment to Diversity

We value diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We
welcome applicants of all backgrounds and do not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex,
gender identity, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, or any other protected status.

How to Apply

Send your resume and cover letter to resume@seniorlegal.org with the subject line:
Legal Staff Advocate Application – [Your Name]
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.

Join Senior Legal Services and help protect the rights of older adults in our community. You’ll work
directly with clients, assist in legal proceedings, and make a tangible difference every single day.

Why You’ll Love Working Here

• Be part of a mission-driven team serving a vulnerable population
• Work in a collaborative, respectful environment
• Make a direct impact on people’s lives every day
• 4 Day Work Week

Part-Time: 15+ hours/week

Timeframe: Spring, Fall, Summer Semesters

Reports to: Director of Development

Status: Santa Cruz office with some hybrid days

About Senior Legal Services

Senior Legal Services (www.seniorlegal.org) has provided high-quality, free legal services to elderly residents of Santa Cruz and San Benito Counties since 1972. The highest priority of the organization is to defend the right of the elderly to quality health care, social integration, to secure their persons and property, and to be free of discrimination on the basis of age or disability.

Description

Senior Legal Services is building its outreach and social media presence and seeks a Communications Associate Intern to support this effort. Interns will directly support communications and fundraising activities and help increase the visibility of the organization so that we can reach more seniors in need and raise the funds to do so. Outreach includes newsletter creation, physical and digital mailings, website updates, video editing, and social media design.

Responsibilities could include

• Strategic: Help develop and maintain a flow of outreach activities geared to increasing organizational visibility and public engagement—including hosting events, attending events, newsletters, impact reports, and social media
• Writing: Write content for the organization’s newsletter, fundraising appeals, website updates, press releases, presentations, and other materials
• Design: Help design and layout newsletters and Impact Report on Canva, Mailchimp or other platforms
• Website: Help update organizational website in WordPress
• Video Production: Design, produce, and edit video productions to increase visibility of organization (staff and client profiles, organizational videos, etc.)
• Social Media: Create and schedule posts on Senior Legal Services social media accounts
• Events: Support or represent organization at outreach tabling events, open houses, legal clinics, and other gatherings
• Development: Support fundraising efforts, which could include research potential donors, maintain donor database, and help with proposal submissions
• Other duties as assigned

Qualifications:

• Ability to help develop communications messaging for public outreach
• Strong writing ability
• High attention to detail
• Design capability or ability to learn different design and outreach platforms (like Canva, Mailchimp)
  Able to interact with the public in public-facing events
• Strong organizational skills to help ensure smooth-running outreach events
• Experience in creating and scheduling social media content designed to grow followers and increase visibility
• Self-starter who works well with others

Physical Requirements

Physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an intern to successfully perform the essential functions of this position with or without reasonable accommodation. While performing the duties of this position, the intern is regularly required to sit; use hands to grasp, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; talk and hear. The intern is required to sit, walk and stand for extended periods of time. The intern must frequently lift and/or move up to 15 pounds. The intern must be able to work for 4 hours in close quarters with other interns and staff. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

Our Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion

Senior Legal Services is committed to diversity and cultivating a culture of equity and inclusion in which all staff can flourish and grow professionally and beyond. We are an equal opportunity employer and do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religious creed, sex, pregnancy, gender, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, age, medical condition, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity (including transgender status) or any other basis prohibited by law.