Program Director I

Job Description

Office of Access and Inclusion

Annual Salary Range: $156,242 - $208,323

FLSA Exempt / Non-Union Represented

This position allows for up to four days of remote work per week.

About the Office

The Office of Access & Inclusion brings together grantmaking of the Legal Services Trust Fund, policymaking of the Center on Access to Justice, and the State Bar's diversity work. The Office seeks a Program Director I to manage the grantmaking and Interest on Lawyers' Trust Fund Accounts (IOLTA) programs of the Office of Access & Inclusion (OAI). The IOLTA program ensures that eligible IOLTA-banking institutions comply with program requirements and the revenue generated from the interest on these IOLTA accounts is collected and distributed as legal aid grants. Approximately $150 million is distributed annually in IOLTA and other legal aid grants to nonprofits providing free civil legal services in California.

About the Job

The Office of Access & Inclusion is seeking a Program Director I who will be responsible for managing the distribution of over $190 million annually in legal funding to over 110 legal aid nonprofit organizations. The incumbent will be tasked with developing and overseeing all policy and operational decisions related to the administration of over eight distinct grant programs, including $120 million worth of homelessness prevention grants as well as IOLTA, Equal Access Funds, consumer debt legal assistance, foreclosure prevention, partnership, and CARE court grants.

Additional responsibilities include:

• Designing and implementing new grant programs
• Oversee the IOLTA compliance team, ensuring that banks are remitting at the appropriate interest rates and evaluating whether current rules and policies meet the current needs of the State Bar and the Legal Services Trust Fund Commission.
• Establishing benchmarks and office goals related to grants administration, including streamlining processes and enhancing monitoring of grantees.
• Engaging in legislative advocacy to increase funding for legal aid, including determining priorities and strategies as well as drafting budget proposals.
• Represent the State Bar with a variety of high-profile stakeholders, including interfacing with representatives from other state agencies and legislative staff.
• This position will oversee approximately 20 staff, including at least four direct reports.

Definition

The Program Director (I, II, and III) is a member of the State Bar's Executive Management Team and creates the mission and long-term vision of an assigned department, or broad-based, program consistent with the policy parameters established by the Board of Trustees and defined in the Business & Professions Code. Incumbents make policy decisions of critical impact affecting the State Bar of California and assume ultimate responsibility for all programs and activities of the assigned department. The Program Director is responsible for overseeing, planning, organizing and directing the administration of State Bar programs based on effective responsiveness to the public and/or other client needs; oversees the development of strategic plans and interim goals; establishes policies and determines priorities; adjusts plans to respond to emerging and/or urgent issues; directs the allocation of resources to achieve timely outcomes and measurable goals within budget guidelines; serves as the appointing authority; and performs related duties as required.

Distinguishing Characteristics

Levels in the Program Director classes are generally based on, but are not limited to, the department's organizational complexity and size, nature and number of functions and programs, and classification level or types of positions managed. Consideration may also be given to any legally mandated minimum qualifications for a specific position.

Classification levels: Program Director I: This class level has the responsibility for the direction of a small-sized program function which provides support to a larger program or executive (Director, Programs III or above) Program activities are typically carried out by administrative or clerical support staff (guide: Executive, Professional Competence, and Client Security Fund).

Examples of Essential Duties

Duties may include, but are not limited to the following:

• Serves as a member of the Executive Management Team and establishes and maintains effective working 2 relationships with colleagues within the State Bar and professional relationships with external constituencies of the State Bar.
• Directs the development and timely implementation of departmental goals, policies, and strategic plans; manages the allocation of resources and service levels to meet client needs.
• Directs program administration in accordance with applicable rules, policies, regulation, laws, procedures, and other authorities.
• Determines and prioritizes, staff assignments, service levels and administrative systems required to accomplish a department's mission in an effective and efficient manner.
• Acts as the appointing authority for staff positions and trains and evaluates in accordance with procedures, and requirements pertaining to their positions.
• Oversees the development and implementation of operational policies, procedures, strategic plans, systems and related initiatives consistent with the established mission and operational standards of the State Bar.
• Oversees and initiates as appropriate, inter-office projects, programs and activities.
• Provides policy guidance and staff assistance to the Board of Trustees and its Discipline System Oversight Committee.
• Provides timely responses to inquiries from the public, Board Members, the Judiciary, the Legislature, the Governor's Office, and other constituencies in coordination with the Executive Director/CEO.
• Oversees the preparation and administration of the budget and oversees the management of the resources and program personnel within institutional parameters and consistent with Business and Professions Code Section 6079.1(d), subject to the general oversight of the DCEO.

Employment Standards

Knowledge of:

• Federal, state, and local rules and regulations pertaining to activities and programs of a specific department.
• Advanced principles of administration in a government, legal, judicial or related environment.
• Advance survey techniques and statistical methods.
• Advanced principles of strategic planning, operations, policy development and implementation. Advanced principles of office management, budgeting, administration and supervision.
• Advanced principles of problem identification, analysis and resolution.
• Principles of computerized data and word processing systems including Internet and website usage.
• Principles of centralized information and data-based record keeping systems.
• Advanced principles of effective writing and verbal presentation including public speaking.
• Advanced principles of media communication.
• Advanced principles of public relations/customer service.
• Advanced principles of board and committee administration.
• Advanced principles of organizational behavior and conflict resolution.
• Advanced principles of public policy research and analysis.
• Advanced principles of effective institutional communication in dealing with diverse constituencies.
• Advanced principles of effective personnel management in a union environment.
• Advanced principles of the administration of justice in California.
• Principles of the legislative process and government relations.
• Functional expertise associated with a department's mission.

Ability to:

• Provide leadership direction and develop staff and programs to meet evolving strategic initiatives. Communicate clearly, effectively and professionally in person, by telephone, by computer and in writing.
• Maintain appropriate confidentiality in program administration and interactions with contractors, consultants, experts and others.
• Exercise sound judgment and decision making.
• Make recommendations on complicated and difficult program matters and present them effectively to governing authorities.
• Interpret and analyze complex written documents.
• Effectively present and speak publicly to large groups of people.
• Act with integrity in all related State Bar business.
• Quickly adapt to changing environments and critical needs to and adopt and effectively implement courses of action.
• Effectively interact with others in an interactive office.
• Effectively address conflict.

Minimum Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor's degree in a field that develops skills related to essential duties, or equivalent academic achievement.

Experience:

• Minimum eight (8) years' progressively responsible experience in related program administration.
• Minimum four (4) years' senior management/supervisory experience in administering personnel and budget requirements.
• Master's degree is preferred and may substitute for up to two years of experience.

License, Certificate, Registration Requirements:

• Juris Doctorate and/or special Qualifications including specialized knowledge, abilities, education, experience, or license may be established for individual positions.

Applicants meet who the Minimum Qualifications will be required to successfully complete the State Bar's selection process for this classification.

About the State Bar

The State Bar of California's mission is to protect the public and includes the primary functions of licensing, regulation, and discipline of attorneys; the advancement of the ethical and competent practice of law; and support of efforts for greater access to, and inclusion in, the legal system.

Our Values

Clarity | Investing in Our People | Excellence | Respect | Growth Mindset

Learn more about our values.

DEI Statement

We are a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace where all of our employees and prospective employees experience fairness, dignity, and respect.

Learn more about our commitment to DEI.

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• The State Bar of California

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