Director of Human Resources

Description

WHO ARE WE: 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.

• Job Title: Director of Human Resources
• Experience:7+ years
• Application Deadline: Open until filled
• Location: Modesto, California (Hybrid)
• Other: FLSA Exempt, Full-Time, Non-Union Position
  
  

The Director of Human Resources is responsible for leading the development and implementation of the organization's human resources strategy, policies, and practices to support the mission and goals of CRLA. Reporting directly to the executive leadership team, this position will oversee all aspects of human resources, including talent acquisition, employee relations, labor relations, compensation and benefits, performance management, and compliance with applicable employment laws and regulations.

HR Leadership

• Develop and implement comprehensive human resources strategies that support our legal services mission
• Manage HR budgets, including compensation and benefits programs that attract and retain talent within nonprofit constraints
• Implement employee relations and performance management processes that align with our community and justice-focused values
• Partner with senior leaders to address key HR challenges and opportunities
• Lead the HR team to ensure effective and efficient operations across all functions
  
  

Executive Leadership Team Collaboration

• Work closely with the executive leadership team on HR strategies supporting organizational goals
• Provide regular reports to leadership and board on HR-related matters
• Participate in strategic planning by providing insight on HR trends and organizational development
• Represent HR perspectives in executive decisions and initiatives
• Foster strong relationships with leadership to align HR initiatives with organizational priorities
  
  

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

• Implement strategies ensuring DEI principles are centered throughout our legal services organization
• Establish partnerships with diverse organizations to enhance candidate pools
• Develop programs supporting a culture of equity and inclusion
• Create metrics to measure and evaluate DEI initiatives
• Provide ongoing DEI education for all employees
  
  

Employee Relations and Management

• Address employee complaints and conflicts to improve internal culture and ensure compliance with applicable employment laws and regulations
• Oversee and run effective and efficient investigations into workplace employee relations and EEO complains; draft and deliver investigation-related reports
• Develop and implement effective performance management processes that support a culture of continuous improvement and high performance
• Develop and implement strategies and programs to support employee development, growth, and career advancement within a non-profit structure in partnership with our Learning Department
• Implement performance management processes supporting continuous improvement
• Manage the compensation and benefits programs to ensure they are competitive, fair, and align with the organization’s values and goals and within budget constraints
• Create effective employee communication strategies
  
  

Labor Relations

• Interpret and administer collective bargaining agreements within a legal services environment
• Build collaborative relationships with union representatives while representing management interests
• Participate in collective bargaining negotiations with sensitivity to nonprofit budgetary realities
• Apply knowledge of California labor laws, including applicable regulations and state-specific requirements
• Develop HR policies compliant with both mission-driven organizational needs and collective bargaining agreements
• Train managers transitioning from legal practice to supervision on union environment best practices
• Balance organizational needs with union employee interests in a mission-driven context
• Apply diplomatic problem-solving to address workplace issues before formal grievances
• Navigate the unique dynamics between advocacy work and labor relations
  
  

Talent Acquisition

• Develop recruitment strategies targeting legal services and public interest talent pools
• Lead inclusive hiring processes that yield diverse candidate pools
• Design onboarding processes reflecting our organizational values and mission
• Implement retention strategies appropriate for mission-driven legal professionals
• Track and evaluate recruitment metrics to improve hiring outcomes
  
  

Strategic Planning and Compliance

• Forecast HR needs considering funding cycles and grant requirements
• Develop workforce planning strategies supporting organizational sustainability
• Maintain relationships with legal services HR networks and service providers
• Ensure compliance with California employment laws, including FEHA, paid leave requirements, and wage and hour regulations
• Keep current on legal services-specific employment considerations
• Ensure accurate and timely payroll processing
  
  

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required;
• Advanced degree or certification in HR, Law, or related field required
• 7+ years of progressive HR leadership experience, with nonprofit or legal services background strongly preferred
• Experience in union environments, preferably in California
• Demonstrated success implementing DEI initiatives in professional settings
• Knowledge of California-specific employment laws and regulations
• Experience with grant-funded positions and related HR considerations
• Strong communication skills with ability to translate complex HR concepts to various stakeholders
• Passion for legal services, mission-driven organizations, and a commitment to serving underrepresented communities
  
  

This job description is not designed to contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities required for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time, with or without notice.

Compensation & Benefits

We offer a diverse, family-friendly environment and compensation based on competitive public interest salaries; this position has a salary range of $125,000.00-$152,000.00 (placement in the range is primarily determined by years of related experience). Generous benefits package includes 100% employer-covered medical, dental, vision, life, and short & long-term disability insurance for employees and up to 50% for dependent coverage. A 401K retirement plan with a CRLA contribution is effective immediately. The generous paid leave policy 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).

CRLA requires that all employees be 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.

Application

CRLA invites you to submit your resume and cover letter.  At your discretion, you may also include a statement about how your 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.