Program Administrator

Description

Program Administrator for the Unincorporated Community Justice Program

About CRLA: California Rural Legal Assistance, Inc. (CRLA) is an anti-poverty law firm dedicated to dismantling unjust systems through community lawyering in California’s historically rural areas. For over five decades, we have partnered with communities priced out of private legal representation to uphold civil rights in housing, employment, health, and public education. Building on a radical legacy rooted in the farmworker movement and the War on Poverty, CRLA continues to fight for the rights and prosperity of rural Californians through bold advocacy, systemic change, and a vision of thriving, empowered communities. CRLA’s community-led legal services activate community power to achieve justice, ensuring our clients and partners have the tools to dismantle poverty, discrimination, and systemic inequities.

Joining CRLA means becoming part of a team that honors dignity, fights for fairness, and embraces bold, community-led solutions to systemic injustices.

The Unincorporated Community Justice Program (UCJP or Program) covers a wide array of environmental justice issues ranging from access to services such as drinking water and broadband to the equitable distribution of resources and siting of hazardous land uses. UCJP’s client communities are disadvantaged unincorporated communities that suffer the consequences of historic underinvestment and discriminatory policies.

Position Overview: The Program Administrator plays a key leadership role in ensuring the smooth operation and success of UCJP. Reporting to the Program Director, this position is responsible for managing the administrative and operational aspects of the program, including grants management, compliance, data tracking, and coordination of program initiatives. This non-attorney role is ideal for a highly organized and dynamic professional who is passionate about social justice and supporting programmatic impact through efficient operations. The Program Administrator works with UCJP staff at the Fresno, Modesto, Tulare, and Salinas offices.

Key Responsibilities

Program Operations

• Oversee day-to-day administrative operations of the program, ensuring alignment with CRLA’s mission, values, and commitment to equity, as well as Program priorities.
• Develop and maintain efficient workflows and best practices for Program staff, including case management, record-keeping, and reporting.
• Train Program staff on policies and best practices for case management, record-keeping, and reporting.
• Monitor and ensure compliance with grant and regulatory requirements, including timekeeping, deliverables, compliance with Legal Services Corporation regulations, and reporting deadlines.
• Collaborate with Program staff to design and implement systems for tracking and evaluating Program outcomes.
• Maintain knowledge of legal aid practices and trends ensuring the Program’s administrative operations support effective advocacy and culturally responsive services for diverse clients.
• Collaborate with the Program Director in strategic planning initiatives, including assisting with preparation of logic models, workplans, and identifying opportunities for program expansion and innovation.
• Oversee the onboarding and offboarding of Program staff.
• Oversee internal engagement with and training for CRLA staff, including facilitating meetings, to ensure staff understand the Program’s priorities.
• Other duties as needed to support the Program and Program Director including stepping in for the Program Director in their absence.
  
  

Grants and Financial Oversight

• Work with the Program Director and Development Team to identify, apply for, and manage grants that support program initiatives.
• Track program budgets, ensuring alignment with grant requirements and organizational priorities.
• Prepare and submit grant reports, including metrics, narratives, and financial updates, in coordination with the Development and Finance teams.
• Work with the Program Director to review and approve Program staff expense reports and invoices.
  
  

Coordination and Support

• Serve as a liaison between the Program and other CRLA departments, including Finance, Development, and Human Resources, to ensure seamless operations.
• Coordinate program-specific events, such as workshops, clinics, and community outreach initiatives, ensuring logistical efficiency and effectiveness.
• Collaborate and coordinate with other program administrators to foster alignment, share best practices, and ensure seamless collaboration among community programs, enhancing overall impact and service delivery.
• Support staff training and professional development opportunities to enhance program delivery.
• Provide guidance, mentorship, and support to other staff.
  
  

Data and Reporting

• Maintain accurate Program data, including client demographics, case outcomes, and service metrics.
• Analyze Program data to inform strategic planning and demonstrate impact to stakeholders.
• Prepare internal and external reports, ensuring accuracy and compliance with CRLA standards.
  
  

Community Engagement

• Build and maintain relationships with community partners, stakeholders, and clients to enhance the Program’s visibility and impact.
• Represent the program in external meetings and events as needed, supporting the Program Director in advocacy and outreach efforts.
  
  

Required Qualifications

• Minimum of three (3) years of experience in program administration, project management, or a related field, preferably in a nonprofit or social justice context.
• Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple priorities effectively.
• Experience with grants management, including compliance, reporting, and budget oversight.
• Proficiency in data analysis and reporting, with advanced skills in Microsoft Office and case management systems.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively with diverse teams and stakeholders.
• Passion for social justice and familiarity with issues affecting low-income, rural, and historically marginalized communities.
• Bilingual proficiency in Spanish and English is strongly preferred.
  
  

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience coordinating community events, workshops, or trainings.
• Familiarity with CRLA’s mission, values, and priority areas.
• Knowledge of nonprofit operational best practices, including cultural competency and trauma-informed approaches.
  
  

Compensation & Benefits

We offer a diverse, family-friendly environment and compensation based on competitive public interest salaries; generous benefits package which includes 100% employer-covered medical, dental, vision, life, and short & long-term disability insurance for employees and up to 50% for dependents coverage; and 401K retirement plan with CRLA contribution effective immediately. Generous paid leave policy which includes; 15 days of sick leave, 15 holidays each year, and vacation ( accrue 15 days for the first year of service and 20 days after one year of service at CRLA ). This is a nonunion and the estimated starting salary range for this position is $69,000 – 94,700.

CRLA requires that all employees are Fully Vaccinated, defined as a CDC-approved COVID vaccination and one booster shot. This offer is contingent on meeting this requirement. The complete vaccination policy, including the process for reasonable allowable accommodations, is available for your review upon request.

CRLA invites all applicants to submit their resume and in their cover letter a statement about how their unique background and/or experiences might contribute to the diversity, cultural vitality, and perspective of our staff and legal services practice.

California Rural Legal Assistance thrives on our diversity and we are proud to be an equal-opportunity employer. We are committed to building a culturally diverse workplace and strongly encourage women, persons of color, LGBTQ+ individuals, veterans, persons with disabilities, and persons from other underrepresented groups to apply.