JUNTA DIRECTIVA

California Rural Legal Assistance Foundation (CRLAF) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit public interest law firm established in 1981, based in Sacramento, with satellite offices throughout the state. CRLAF represents farmworkers and other low-wage workers in rural California, and is also a State Bar-funded legal services support center providing training, advocacy and technical assistance to California’s federal legal services programs. Our litigation and policy priority areas include labor, housing, civil rights, sustainable rural communities, health and immigrants’ rights. CRLAF has successfully sponsored or co-sponsored legislation in each of these areas, including the Farm Labor Contractor Act, the Labor Code Private Attorneys General Act (PAGA), the Employee Housing Act, Field Pesticide Posting requirements and dozens of other statutes.

Equal Opportunity Employer:

California Rural Legal Assistance Foundation is an equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, national origin, citizenship status, color, religion, gender identity and/or expression, physical or mental disability, nationality, sexual orientation, marital status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law. We believe everyone has something important to contribute. Respecting individual differences is an integral part of our culture and we endeavor to make our differences work for us to achieve our mission.

DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT

Director of Development is a key member of the leadership team responsible for shaping and executing a comprehensive development plan to support the organization’s mission and long-term sustainability. The Director of Development will lead fundraising, donor relations, communications, private attorney involvement, and public engagement efforts, ensuring the organization has the resources and visibility to thrive. This leadership role requires both strategic vision and hands-on execution, as well as a passion for advancing justice.

Position: Director of Development

Location: Sacramento Capitol Office (CA) - Hybrid/Remote options

Compensation: $115,000 -$150,000, dependent on experience

Benefits:

Employer-paid medical, dental, vision, and life insurance for employees (with half-paid coverage for dependents)
Flexible spending accounts benefits
Employer-sponsored retirement plan with an annual CRLAF contribution
Generous vacation, sick leave, and holiday package

Hours: 37.5 hours/Week

Reports to: Executive Director

Start Date: Immediate

Duties + Responsibilities:

Strategic Leadership

Develop, implement, and evaluate a comprehensive development strategy aligned with CRLAF’s mission, values, and strategic plan.
Provide vision and leadership to the CRLAF Development team, fostering a collaborative, innovative, and high-performing team culture.
Inspire and strategically engage the Executive Director, Deputy Director, Board of Directors, and Project Directors in key development initiatives and donor engagement activities.
Participate as an active member of the Executive Leadership Team, contributing to organizational strategy, planning, and growth.
Prepare and present regular reports on fundraising progress, trends, and projections to senior leadership and the Board of Directors.
Supervise a small development and communications team, including consultants and interns.
Work with the Executive Director, Deputy Director, Director of Operations, and Project Directors to prepare for audits, site visits, and ensure compliance with CRLAF policies, grant requirements, regulations, and ethical standards.

Fundraising, Donor Relations & Institutional Giving

Design and execute comprehensive strategies for identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding individual, corporate, and foundation donors.
Manage a portfolio of major donors and partners capable of making annual gifts of $1,000 or more, including corporate and foundation supporters.
Oversee the development and submission of high-quality grant proposals, reports, and compliance documentation.
Grow and diversify the donor base through annual giving campaigns, major gifts, and planned giving efforts.
Manage the full grant lifecycle: prospecting, proposal writing, reporting, and stewardship.
Lead the planning and execution of high-impact fundraising and stewardship events, both in-person and virtual.
Ensure timely, meaningful donor communications, acknowledgments, and stewardship, both in-person and through digital platforms.
Maintain the integrity and accuracy of donor data and reporting systems, including oversight of a CRM or donor database.

Reporting and Compliance

Oversee CRLAF’s compliance with all grant and California State Bar requirements, including the coordination of any audits.
Ensure timely and accurate reporting of any grant deliverables and any reports to the California State Bar.
Collaborate with the Director of Operations to ensure all reporting obligations are completed on schedule and in full compliance.

Required Qualifications:

Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree encouraged.
7+ years of progressive fundraising experience, including demonstrated success with grants and individual giving.
Exceptional writing and storytelling skills for both donor and public-facing content.
Experience with CRMs or donor databases.
Ability to balance strategic vision with day-to-day implementation.
Proven success securing six- and seven-figure gifts from foundations, individuals, or public sources.

Preferred Qualifications:

Experience in legal services, immigration, or social justice nonprofit sectors.
Exceptional interpersonal skills with diverse populations, including a strong desire to network and build relationships with a multitude of stakeholders.
Fluency in Spanish or another language commonly spoken in CRLAF’s client communities.
Familiarity with the philanthropic community.

How to Apply:

Please send a resume and cover letter to jobs@crlaf.org with the subject line: Director of Development – [Your Name]. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.

DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATE

Development Associate will play a key role in supporting the organization’s fundraising efforts, with a primary focus on grant applications, reporting, communications, and public engagement activities. This position is ideal for someone who is detail-oriented, thrives in a collaborative environment, and is excited to strengthen resources for social justice work.

Position: Director of Development

Location: Sacramento Capitol Office (CA) - Hybrid/Remote options

Compensation: $75,000-90,000, dependent on experience

Benefits:

Employer-paid medical, dental, vision, and life insurance for employees (with
half-paid coverage for dependents)
Flexible spending accounts benefits
Employer-sponsored retirement plan with an annual CRLAF contribution
Generous vacation, sick leave, and holiday package

Hours: 37.5 hours/Week

Reports to: Director of Development

Start Date: Immediate

Duties + Responsibilities:

Grant Writing & Tracking

Research prospective funding opportunities from foundations, corporations, and government agencies.
Draft, edit, and submit grant proposals and renewal requests.
Track deadlines, reporting requirements, and deliverables to ensure compliance.
Work with the Executive Director, Deputy Director, Director of Operations, and Project
Directors to prepare for audits, site visits, and ensure compliance with CRLAF policies, grant requirements, regulations, and ethical standards.

Fund Development Support

Support donor communications including acknowledgment letters, newsletters, and impact reports.
Support the planning and execution of high-impact fundraising and stewardship events, both in-person and virtual.
Maintain the integrity and accuracy of donor data and reporting systems, including oversight of a CRM or donor database.
Ensure timely, meaningful donor communications, acknowledgments, and stewardship, both in-person and through digital platforms.

Compliance Support

Provide leadership and support of CRLAF’s compliance with all grant and California State Bar requirements, including the coordination of any audits.
Support the preparation and submission of reports, documentation, and audit materials.
Maintain organized records and tracking systems for compliance and grant deliverables.
Coordinate with program and finance staff to gather data and ensure timely reporting and grant deliverables.

Required Qualifications:

Bachelor’s degree required
1-2+ years of progressive fundraising experience, including demonstrated success with grants and individual giving.
Exceptional writing and storytelling skills for both donor and public-facing content.
Attention to detail and strong proofreading skills
Experience with CRMs or donor databases
Ability to demonstrate compassion, collaboration, trust, respect, accountability, and equity in the performance of job duties.
Commitment to advancing equity, justice, and the mission of CRLAF.

Preferred Qualifications:

Experience in legal services, immigration, or social justice nonprofit sectors.
Fluency in Spanish or another language commonly spoken in CRLAF’s client communities.
Familiarity with the philanthropic community

How to Apply:

Please send a resume and cover letter to Jobs@crlaf.org with the subject line: Director of Development – [Your Name]. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.

LEGISLATIVE ADVOCATE

CRLAF is looking for a highly qualified candidate with experience in state or federal legislative or administrative advocacy, or plaintiff-side labor, employment litigation experience that is willing to be trained in the California legislative process by CRLAF’s legislative team.

Position: Legislative Advocate

Location: Sacramento Capitol Office

Experience: Minimum 2 years directly relevant legislative, administrative agency or relevant plaintiff-side litigation experience

Start Date: Immediate

Duties + Responsibilities:

Reporting to the Executive Director and Deputy Director, the Legislative Advocate works as part of CRLAF’s legislative team to advance the rights of farmworkers and other low-wage workers through legislation and policy advocacy, and building farmworkers’ power in the Capitol, while collaborating with other legal aid organizations on legislative and policy advocacy. This position includes working on CRLAF’s “California Advocacy for Farm Workers” project, which advocates for undocumented farm workers and the rights of farm workers employed in the H-2A visa contract labor program (‘Bracero 2.0’). Responsibilities also include:

Staff any assigned bills sponsored, supported, or opposed by CRLAF
Draft bill fact sheets, letters of support and opposition, legislative amendments, and other lobbying materials and communications on legislative issues
Track and analyze impacts of legislation, budget proposals, regulations and other state policies on California farm workers and other low-wage workers
Make recommendations and help formulate CRLAF’s position on relevant issues
Prepare and present written and oral testimony before legislative and administrative bodies.
Help develop ideas for legislation that strengths California’s farmworkers’ rights.
Support strategic planning to ensure that CRLAF’s legislative agenda furthers the organization’s goals and broader mission.

Requirements + Qualifications:

BA degree
JD or equivalent degree is desirable but not necessary
Minimum 2 years of experience in any of the following areas:
- State or federal legislative advocacy or legislative staff position; or
- State or federal administrative advocacy or agency staff position; or
- Plaintiff-side experience litigating low-wage worker cases under California or federal labor rights laws.
Excellent written and oral communication and presentation skills.
Demonstrated success working both individually and collaborating as part of a team.
Ability to take initiative and prioritize multiple tasks and time-sensitive assignments.
Strong work ethic and strict attention to detail, particularly when working in fast-paced, high-pressure environment.
Community organizing, labor union, farm worker, non-profit organization, or Spanish language proficiency are all desirable but not necessary.

Hours, Compensation, + Benefits:

Salary Range: $95,000-$115,000; dependent on experience
Employer-paid medical, dental, vision, and life insurance for employees (with half-paid coverage for dependents)
Flexible spending accounts benefits
Employer-sponsored retirement plan with an annual CRLAF contribution
Generous vacation, sick leave, and holiday package
CRLAF has a 37.5 hour, 5-day work week

Application Information:

Please send resume, cover letter, writing sample, and a list of at least three references to Amagda Pérez at aperez@crlaf.org. (Applicants may also provide video or audio links to some of their recent substantive testimony or appearances before the Legislature, administrative agencies or the courts.) For questions, please call (916) 446-7904, ext. 101.

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Position is open until filled.

LEGISLATIVE DIRECTOR/SENIOR LEGISLATIVE ADVOCATE

Position: Legislative Director / Senior Legislative Advocate (full-time, FLSA exempt positions)

Location: Sacramento, California

Experience: 3-5 Five+ years directly relevant legislative or litigation experience

Job Categories: Senior Management; Project Director; Legislative Advocacy

Start Date: Immediate

Duties + Responsibilities:

Reporting to the Executive Director and Deputy Director, the Legislative Director’s duties include day to day supervision of several lobbyists and advocates, as well as serving as CRLAF’s chief Labor/Judiciary lobbyist. The Legislative Director also conducts our “California Advocacy for Farm Workers” project, which advocates for undocumented farmworkers and the rights of farmworkers employed in the H-2A visa contract labor program (‘Bracero 2.0’). The Senior Advocate’s duties include all of the above responsibilities except for a supervisory role over the legislative unit.

Minimum Qualifications:

Significant prior experience at the senior staff level in the Legislature or as a registered lobbyist, with a history and track record of developing and successfully shepherding legislation through the legislative process. However, significant plaintiff-side litigation experience representing low-wage workers under California or federal labor, housing, civil rights or immigrants’ rights laws, with a willingness to be trained in the California legislative process, is also qualifying experience for the senior legislative advocacy role (with a track to eventual assumption of the Legislative Director position).
Law degree, civil rights, community organizing, labor union, farm worker, non-profit organization, or plaintiff-side law firm experience are also desirable, as is Spanish language proficiency.

Hours, Compensation, + Benefits:

Salary Range: $95,000.00 - $145,000.00 Salary/year; dependent on experience
Employer-paid medical, dental, vision, and life insurance for employees (with half-paid coverage for dependents)
Flexible spending account benefits
Employer-sponsored retirement plan with an annual CRLAF contribution
Generous vacation, sick leave, and holiday package
CRLAF has a 37.5 hour, 5-day work week

Application Information:
Please send a resume, cover letter, writing sample, and a list of at least three references to Amagda Pérez at aperez@crlaf.org. (Applicants may also wish to provide video or audio links to some of their recent substantive testimony or appearances before the Legislature, administrative agencies or the courts.) For questions, please call (916) 446-7904, ext. 101. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Position is open until filled.