Job Announcement

CalCLAD seeks an Executive Director to lead it in its mission to protect and advance the rights of Deaf and other people with hearing loss to enable them to live independent, productive lives, with full access to the rights, privileges, entitlements, services, educational and employment opportunities available to others.  The Executive Director reports to a dedicated Board of Directors and leads a small and enthusiastic staff.

For over 25 years, CalCLAD has pursued an aggressive agenda to meet its mission by providing high quality legal services to its client communities in California.  It is unique in the nation as a corporation focused solely on providing comprehensive legal services to Deaf and hard-of-hearing people in reducing communication barriers and eliminating discrimination due to deafness.  CalCLAD is located in San Leandro and has close ties with major agencies and organizations serving the Deaf community.  It adheres to an “of, by and for” philosophy in serving Deaf and hard-of-hearing people.  Additional information about the Law Center can be found on its website:  .

CalCLAD seeks a dynamic leader of integrity and the right experience who is passionate about and has demonstrated a commitment to promoting the interests of Deaf and other people with hearing loss; an energetic leader with a vision of the future who can develop and maintain effective partnerships with the Board, staff and community as well as inspire and challenge them to fulfill that vision.

Responsibilities include:

• Coordinate and direct the Law Center’s impact advocacy efforts in the courts, the legislature, and before administrative agencies in matters involving Deaf related issues, including discrimination in facility and program access, telephone access, special education, housing and employment.

• Maintain a high standard of excellence in the Law Center’s provision of legal services.

• Coordinate and conduct community legal education and professional education in the area of disability law and deafness.

• Maintain and expand CalCLAD’s sources of funding, including grant writing, management and reporting and other fund raising responsibilities.

• Overseeing the staff and operations of the Law Center, including program planning, budgeting, recruitment and hiring.

• Being the CalCLAD spokesperson regarding legal issues impacting the Deaf, hard-of-hearing, deafened and deaf-blind communities.

Ideal candidates will posses the following qualifications:

• Committed to social justice for Deaf and hard-of-hearing people with experience in public interest law or legal services for the poor.

• An attorney licensed to practice in California, or another state with at least five years of experience.

• Experience and/or demonstrated ability to supervise, develop and manage program services.

• Experience and/or demonstrated ability to develop and manage budgets and a willingness to raise funds.  Grant writing experience a plus.

• Excellent communicator who is proficient in American Sign Language and English.

• Working knowledge of the legal issues and challenges facing Deaf and hard-of-hearing people.

Salary:  Commensurate with capability and experience and includes health and other benefits.

Location: Telecommuting, job sharing and flexible work hours considered on an individual basis commensurate with qualifications.

Application Procedure:  Interested applicants should submit the following:  a letter of interest, résumé, a writing sample, and three references to board@deaflaw.org.  Selected candidates will be interviewed.

Start Date:  Open until filled.

CalCLAD is an equal opportunity employer