Careers at Justice in Aging

Health Staff Attorney or Senior Staff Attorney  

Los Angeles, Oakland, or Remote in California 

Justice in Aging seeks a health attorney with a strong commitment to health equity and racial justice to join our organization in California. The successful candidate will join our respected and effective health team to ensure equitable access to health care and long-term services and supports for low-income older adults in California and nationally. Our work seeks to address the systemic and intersectional inequities faced by older adults of color, older women, LGBTQ older adults, older adults with disabilities, and older adults who are immigrants or have limited English proficiency.  

Justice in Aging uses the power of law and our expertise in health care, long-term services and supports, economic security, and elder justice to fight senior poverty. We seek systemic change in law and policy to improve the lives of low-income older adults who experience inequities rooted in historical, persistent, and structural racism, ageism, sexism, ableism, homophobia, and xenophobia. Founded in 1972, we have a rich tradition of successful, high-impact, and strategic advocacy on behalf of the more than 7 million seniors living in poverty nationally. In California, we act as a support center for California’s qualified legal services programs. 

The attorney in this position will advocate directly on Medi-Cal issues and Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) with state and local policy makers to improve access and affordability for low-income older Californians. The attorney will provide training and technical assistance to legal services attorneys as well as aging and disability network professionals, and work with other Justice in Aging staff, including our litigation team, to advance our HCBS advocacy in California and nationally. The attorney will also play a key role in continuing Justice in Aging’s advocacy to advance the health care and long-term services and supports goals in California’s Master Plan for Aging that promote the ability of all Californians to Age in Place, using administrative and legislative advocacy as well as litigation.  

The attorney can be based in one of our two California offices (Los Angeles or Oakland) or work fully remotely from anywhere in California. Most of Justice in Aging’s staff are currently working remotely due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Justice in Aging is a federal contractor and will be subject to the federal contractor vaccine mandate. 

Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until the position is filled, with application review ongoing, and preference given to applications received before November 29, 2021. Please indicate the position you are applying for in the subject line of your email. If you have questions about the position or need an accommodation for the application process, please inquire at  hiring@justiceinaging.org. 

Responsibilities:  

Use administrative and legislative advocacy, as well as litigation when necessary, to increase equitable access to health care and Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS), including In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) for low-income older adults in California.  

Work in coalition and develop and maintain relationships with members of legal services organizations, health equity organizations, aging and disability organizations, social services, the Department of Health Care Services, Department of Social Services and other state aging and disability agencies, and others involved in protecting the legal rights of older adults and advancing racial justice and equity. 

Develop written materials for both educational and advocacy purposes, such as email alerts, issue briefs, training materials, and/or litigation documents. 

Develop training for the legal services and aging and disability networks, and respond to questions and inquiries from persons in those networks.  

Work with other Justice in Aging team members, including our housing staff and litigation team, to advance organizational objectives, including our new Advancing Equity Strategic Initiative. 

Limited travel will be required when public health conditions permit.  

Requirements:  

A J.D. and current admission to the California bar.  

Experience working on Medi-Cal in California including home and community-based services like In-Home Supportive Services and other health programs on which low-income older adults rely.  

A passion for social justice, including interest in working on behalf of older adults of color, older women, LGBTQ older adults, older adults with disabilities, and older adults who are immigrants or have limited English proficiency. 

Desired:  

Excellent interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to write clearly, work as part of a team, build internal and external relationships, and work with and lead coalition partners. 

Professional or personal experience working with communities of color and/or advancing racial equity. 

Experience with or interest in direct legal services for low-income older adults and/or people with disabilities, including experience or interest in litigation.  

Compensation: 

Salary for this position will be based on a fixed salary scale based on experience level. For example, the salary for an attorney with 5 years of experience would be $80,000, and the salary for an attorney with 12 years of experience would be $101,500. Justice in Aging also offers a competitive benefits package, including health, dental, and life insurance; flexible reimbursement plan; 403(b) retirement savings plan with 8% automatic employer contribution; paid parental leave, sabbatical leave, and compensatory time, and generous vacation policy. 

To Apply: 

Please submit the following to hiring@justiceinaging.org: 

(1) Cover letter that describes your interest in this particular position and how your skill set would be a good fit; 

(2) Resume;

(3) One writing sample; and 

(4) Three professional references. 

In your cover letter, you must address the following prompt in order for your application to be considered: To promote social justice and best achieve our mission, Justice in Aging is committed to maintaining a diverse staff and creating an inclusive and respectful workplace in which differences are acknowledged and valued. How do you think your personal or professional experience or background has prepared you to contribute to a work environment with a strong commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion? Feel free to think broadly about your response to this question, applying various aspects of your life and personal experiences to your response. 

Please indicate the position you are applying for in the subject line of your email. We accept applications on a rolling basis, with review ongoing, and preference given to applications received before November 29, 2021.

Senior Attorney for California Policy or Senior Policy Advocate for California

Sacramento, CA or surrounding area with ability to travel to Sacramento

Justice in Aging seeks an attorney or policy advocate with at least three years’ relevant experience, and a strong commitment to advancing equity and improving the lives of low-income older adults, to join our organization in California. Our work addresses the systemic and intersectional inequities faced by older adults of color, older women, LGBTQ older adults, older adults with disabilities, and older adults who are immigrants or have limited English proficiency. The successful candidate will work with our California attorneys on administrative and legislative advocacy in Sacramento, including advancing our advocacy on California’s Master Plan for Aging.

Justice in Aging uses the power of law and our expertise in health care, long-term services and supports, economic security, and elder justice to fight senior poverty. We pursue systemic change in law and policy to improve the lives of low-income older adults who experience inequities rooted in historical, persistent, and structural racism, ageism, sexism, ableism, homophobia, and xenophobia. Founded in 1972, we have a rich tradition of successful, high-impact, and strategic advocacy on behalf of the more than 7 million seniors living in poverty nationally. In California, we act as a support center for California’s qualified legal services programs.

Justice in Aging has offices in Oakland, CA, Los Angeles, CA, and Washington, DC, as well as staff who work fully remotely. This position is focused on policy advocacy in Sacramento, and we anticipate the staff member will work remotely from Sacramento or the surrounding area or could be based in our Oakland office with frequent travel to Sacramento. Most of Justice in Aging’s staff are currently working remotely due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Justice in Aging is a federal contractor and will be subject to the federal contractor vaccine mandate.

Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until the position is filled, with application review ongoing, and preference given to applications received before November 29, 2021. Please indicate the position you are applying for in the subject line of your email. If you have questions about the position or need an accommodation for the application process, please inquire at  hiring@justiceinaging.org. 

Responsibilities:

Represent Justice in Aging in Sacramento with the state legislature and administrative agencies, including building and maintaining relationships with state legislative leaders and staff and state administrative agencies such as the Department of Health Care Services and Department of Social Services.

Work closely with the members of Justice in Aging’s Health, Economic Security, Elder Rights, and Equity teams, as well as the Executive Director and Deputy Director, to develop and advance our California policy priorities.

Coordinate and manage Justice in Aging’s advocacy around the California Master Plan for Aging.

Collaborate with partners and coalitions, including state and local legal organizations and coalitions, aging network members, civil rights groups, and other stakeholders.

Work with the Communications Director and Communications Team to develop media and/or social media strategies to advance California policy objectives.

Work with other Justice in Aging team members to advance organizational objectives, including our new Advancing Equity Strategic Initiative.

Limited travel for state and national conferences and meetings will be required when public health conditions permit.

Requirements:

Any combination of applicable educational/professional credentials and experience that will enable you to perform the above duties successfully, including but not limited to a JD, Master’s degree, or Bachelor’s degree.

At least three years of relevant policy experience, with a focus on issues that affect low-income populations and people experiencing inequities.

Passion for social justice, including interest in working on behalf of older adults of color, older women, LGBTQ older adults, older adults with disabilities, and older adults who are immigrants or have limited English proficiency.

Desired:

Experience in Sacramento, such as working on legislative or administrative advocacy, working as legislative staff, or working for a state agency.

Experience with programs and services for low-income older adults and/or people with disabilities in California, such as Medi-Cal, SSI/SSD, CalFresh, IHSS, housing services, aging and disability services, and/or legal services.

Strong interpersonal and communications skills, including ability to communicate effectively about equity.

Ability to think strategically and to lead and work collaboratively with others, including building internal and external relationships, and working with and leading coalition partners.

Professional or personal experience working with communities of color and/or advancing racial equity.

Excellent organizational skills and ability to prioritize and lead multiple projects, activities, and actions.

Compensation:

Salary for this position will be based on a fixed salary scale based on experience level. For example, the salary for this position with 5 years of experience would be $80,000, and the salary for this position with 12 years of experience would be $101,500. Justice in Aging offers a competitive benefits package, including fully paid health, dental, and life insurance; flexible reimbursement plan; 403(b) retirement savings plan with 8% automatic employer contribution; paid parental leave, sabbatical leave, and compensatory time; federal holidays, sick time, and generous vacation policy.

To Apply:

Please submit the following to hiring@justiceinaging.org:

(1) Cover letter that describes your interest in this particular position;

(2) Resume;

(3) One writing sample; and

(4) Three professional references.

In your cover letter, please address the following in order for your application to be considered: To promote social justice and best achieve our mission, Justice in Aging is committed to maintaining a diverse staff and creating an inclusive and respectful workplace in which differences are acknowledged and valued. How do you think your personal or professional experience or background has prepared you to contribute to a work environment with a strong commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion? Feel free to think broadly about your response to this question, applying various aspects of your life and personal experiences to your response.

Please indicate the position you are applying for in the subject line of your email. We accept applications on a rolling basis, with review ongoing, and preference given to applications received before November 29, 2021.

Justice in Aging seeks an outstanding law student for its fifth annual Racial Justice Fellowship for Summer 2022. Given the continued uncertainties presented by the COVID-19 pandemic, the fellow may work remotely or may work in any of our three offices: Washington, DC, Oakland, or Los Angeles, CA. This is a full-time, paid fellowship.

The Organization: Justice in Aging is a non-profit organization with a rich tradition of over 48 years of successful, high-impact strategic advocacy on behalf of more than 7 million older adults living in poverty in America. Justice in Aging is the one of the only national organizations to focus exclusively on issues of senior poverty and, as a part of that work, we recognize how senior poverty is linked to historic and systemic discrimination.

Justice in Aging works in several critical areas: health care, economic security, housing, and elder justice. We focus our work on the needs of older adults of color, older women, LGBTQ seniors, and older adults with limited English proficiency. We strive toward equity for older adults through our work and in our workplace environment, where all staff members are supported and valued.

The Position: Justice in Aging seeks a rising 3L (current 2L) student to work full-time with attorneys on multiple projects that integrate Justice in Aging’s core programs (economic security, health, and elder justice) and focus on racial justice. The fellow could work on policy advocacy and/or litigation-based projects and will have the opportunity to author a writing sample, conduct shorter term writing and research projects, participate in intern trainings and events, attend external stakeholder meetings, and have the opportunity to learn more about the legal non-profit world. At the end of the summer, the fellow will also prepare and present an internal training to the staff on a topic they have researched.
Justice in Aging will pair the fellow with one attorney as a mentor for the summer. Justice in Aging may also be interested in working with the summer fellow to craft a post-graduate fellowship application for Skadden, Equal Justice Works, or the equivalent.

Compensation: The fellow will be provided a $8,000 stipend.

Qualifications: We seek applicants with a robust interest in working for low-income and underserved populations, and strong legal research and writing skills.

Application: Applications are accepted until Friday, October 8 and reviewed on a rolling basis. 

To apply for the summer Racial Justice Fellowship, please send  the following materials to Shelby Minister at sminister@justiceinaging.org:

1. Cover letter,
2. Resume,
3. Writing sample, and
4. A list of three references.

In your cover letter, please address the following in order for your application to be considered:

At Justice in Aging we advocate for older adults, particularly regarding systemic injustice and the resulting inequities that often impact women, people of color, LGBTQ individuals, and people with limited English proficiency. To promote social justice and best achieve our mission, Justice in Aging is committed to maintaining a diverse staff and creating an inclusive and respectful workplace in which differences are acknowledged and valued. How do you think your personal or professional experience or background has prepared you to contribute to a work environment with a strong commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion? Feel free to think broadly about your response to this question, applying various aspects of your life and personal experiences to your response.

Cover letters without this explanation will not be considered. Please also include any scheduling conflicts during the weeks of October 11 and 18 that may affect your availability for a first-round phone interview.

Justice in Aging is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to maintaining a diverse staff, and we particularly encourage applications from members of people of color, women, the LGBTQ community, persons with disabilities, and others whose personal experiences may contribute to more effective representation of low-income people and underserved communities.

Justice in Aging seeks an outstanding law student for its Colin Alexander Health Law Fellowship for Summer 2022. Given the continued uncertainties presented by the COVID-19 pandemic, the fellow may work remotely or may work in any of our three offices: Washington, DC, Oakland, or Los Angeles, CA. This is a full-time, paid fellowship.

The Organization: Justice in Aging is a non-profit organization with a rich tradition of over 48 years of successful, high-impact strategic advocacy on behalf of more than 7 million older adults living in poverty in America. Justice in Aging is the one of the only national organizations to focus explicitly on issues of senior poverty and, as a part of that work, we recognize how senior poverty is linked to historic and systemic racial discrimination.

Justice in Aging works in several critical areas: health care, economic security, housing, and elder justice. We focus our work on the needs of older women, people of color, members of the LGBTQ community, and people with limited English proficiency. We strive toward equity for older adults through our work and in our workplace environment, where all staff members are supported and valued.

The Position: Justice in Aging seeks a rising 3L (current 2L) student to work full-time with attorneys on multiple projects related to Medicare, Medicaid and other health care programs that impact older adults. The fellow could work on policy advocacy and/or litigation-based projects and will have the opportunity to author a writing sample, conduct shorter term writing and research projects, participate in intern trainings and events, attend external stakeholder meetings, and have the opportunity to learn more about the legal non-profit world. At the end of the summer, the fellow will also prepare and present an internal training to the staff on a topic they have researched.

Justice in Aging will pair the fellow with one attorney as a mentor for the summer. Justice in Aging may also be interested in working with the summer fellow to craft a post-graduate fellowship application for Skadden, Equal Justice Works, or the equivalent.

Compensation: The fellow will be provided a $8,000 stipend.

Qualifications: We seek applicants with a robust interest in working for low-income and underserved populations, and strong legal research and writing skills.

Application: Applications are accepted until Friday, October 8 and reviewed on a rolling basis.

To apply for the Colin Alexander Health Law Fellowship, please send the following materials to Katrina Cohens at kcohens@justiceinaging.org:

1. Cover letter,
2. Resume,
3. Writing sample, and
4. A list of three references.

In your cover letter, please address the following in order for your application to be considered:

At Justice in Aging we advocate for older adults, particularly regarding systemic injustice and the resulting inequities that often impact women, people of color, LGBTQ individuals, and people with limited English proficiency. To promote social justice and best achieve our mission, Justice in Aging is committed to maintaining a diverse staff and creating an inclusive and respectful workplace in which differences are acknowledged and valued. How do you think your personal or professional experience or background has prepared you to contribute to a work environment with a strong commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion? Feel free to think broadly about your response to this question, applying various aspects of your life and personal experiences to your response.

Cover letters without this explanation will not be considered. Please also include any scheduling conflicts during the weeks of October 11 and 18 that may affect your availability for a first-round phone interview.

Justice in Aging is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to maintaining a diverse staff, and we particularly encourage applications from members of people of color, women, the LGBTQ community, persons with disabilities, and others whose personal experiences may contribute to more effective representation of low-income people and underserved communities.

Each year Justice in Aging seeks outstanding law students to work with us through summer and term-time internships and externships. We are not yet accepting applications for summer 2022.