Family Violence Appellate Project is the only organization in California and Washington State dedicated to appealing civil cases on behalf of survivors of domestic violence and other forms of intimate partner, family, and gender-based abuse. We are committed to social justice and are dedicated to shaping California and Washington law to prioritize the safety of survivors and their children. We are also committed to supporting the statewide networks of advocates for survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, human trafficking, and legal aid service providers. If you are interested in being part of this exciting social justice movement and resource for survivors and advocates across California and Washington, this is the place for you! You can learn more at www.fvaplaw.org.
This is an exciting time for FVAP and for this role in particular. We just expanded to open our second office in Washington earlier in 2021. Expansion raises new challenges and opportunities to grow, streamline, and integrate processes. We value diverse experiences and backgrounds. FVAP’s clientele is extremely diverse, and we serve individuals and advocates throughout both states, including rural, suburban, and urban populations. The Deputy Director can join our exceptional and dynamic staff in Oakland, California or Bellevue, Washington. The immediate supervisor is the Executive Director.
Skills & Abilities: FVAP seeks a Deputy Director to work closely with the Executive Director to effectively run several administrative and compliance functions. A successful Deputy Director is able to manage both strategic and operational initiatives. You have a unique combination of interpersonal skills and attention to detail. You can build trust with, listen to, and understand the needs of the staff and Board, and convey to them decisions and strategy. You can take initiative, build consensus, and creatively address identified needs. You are skilled at conflict management and hold high ethical standards when addressing all issues. You have high standards for meeting compliance obligations and can manage compliance functions with funders and the government. You can take projects from the Executive Director as needed.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
Duties include the following (other duties may be assigned):
Organizational Leadership
- Work collaboratively as an innovative thought partner to support and facilitate the vision and strategy for organizational culture, priorities, structure, and decision-making protocols; track progress and provide well-reasoned recommendations
- Establish and refine processes and tools to effectively manage the cadence of the organization, including annual planning, reporting, and communication
- Manage key communications and reporting across all levels of the organization (for example, setting agendas for and leading staff meetings; supporting Executive Director in preparing materials for Board of Directors)
- Partner on strategic initiatives in marketing, fundraising, event planning, and communications
- Assess the organization’s policies and lead the process of recommending biannual policy updates, and any new policies needed, to management and the Board of Directors
- Handle special projects and ad hoc incoming requests
Human Resources
- Drive talent and culture initiatives, including recruiting, onboarding, performance management, compensation planning, retention
- Serve as an internal expert and staff resource regarding employee policies
- Lead efforts to balance compliance with employment laws of California and Washington with supporting the well-being of staff
- Oversee all HR processes, including:
- Carry out the recruitment-hiring-onboarding pipeline with integrity
- Facilitate performance management processes, including 3-month goal-setting, annual performance management meetings, and 6-month goals check-ins.
- Maintain personnel files
- Address personnel grievances
Compliance Functions
- Understand, track, and ensure compliance with the corporate and nonprofit obligations of the State of California and State of Washington
- Take lead responsibility for understanding and meeting the compliance obligations of government funders (currently the State Bar of California, federal government, and State of California)
Organizational Infrastructure
- Drive change in core business operations where needed to ensure robust infrastructure, efficiency, and innovation
- Manage the organization’s records retention process and data breach protocol
- Ensure adequate insurance coverages for organizational needs
- Work with IT professional to manage technology systems and devices to meet organizational needs
- Comply with all agency policies and procedures
Physical and Environmental Conditions: Performance of duties and tasks uses standard office equipment, including telephone equipment and computers. Work is performed inside with exposure to heating and air-conditioning. Driving or other travel may be required. Currently, all work is being performed from home unless you want to work in the Oakland, CA or Bellevue, WA office following COVID-19 guidelines. When deemed safe per public health guidelines, we will move to a hybrid work model, with a probable 2 days in the office and 3 days working from home, with the option to work entirely in the office if preferred.
Required Qualifications and Experience:
- 5 years minimum of management experience; 3 years minimum of management experience should be working in HR, preferably in a non-profit setting;
- Commitment to working in an environment that prioritizes anti-racism, equity, and inclusivity and is actively working to implement and strengthen these priorities;
- Demonstrated commitment to creating inclusive, healthy and accountable work cultures;
- Experience leading in diverse and collaborative settings; demonstrated ability to seek out and incorporate input from people of different backgrounds;
- Experience shaping and updating organizational structure and processes to meet the needs of a growing and evolving organization;
- Ability to make decisions with individuals’ interests as well as the best interests of the organization in mind;
- Experience as a project manager having led a team to successful completion of a joint project;
- High expectations for the organization’s compliance with all applicable requirements;
- Experience tracking and complying with multiple external requirements;
- Excellent writing and editing skills;
- Ability to develop authentic relationships and communicate well with different people, teams, and external partners;
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team;
- Exceptional organizational skills and ability to juggle multiple priorities and see them through to completion, obtaining input and resources as needed;
- A commitment to working on behalf of survivors of domestic violence and other forms of intimate partner, family, and gender-based abuse and their children;
- Strong working proficiency in basic office software such as Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and the Google Suite (Gmail, Calendar, Drive, Docs, etc.);
- Covid-19 vaccination, as some degree of in-person work with colleagues will be expected in a hybrid work environment.
Preferred Qualifications and Experience:
- Past experience managing compliance with California or Washington government regulations or grant requirements;
- Diversity of personal and professional experience.
Classification: This position is exempt, full-time, and at-will.
Compensation: Starting salary depends on relevant experience and will be commensurate with comparable nonprofit salaries in Northern California or the King County, WA area, depending on location. The salary range in California is expected to be between $120,000-$135,000/year. 90% locality pay differential if located in Washington ($108,000-$121,500). FVAP offers a generous benefits package, including subsidized health, dental, vision, life, and AD&D insurance; 401(k) retirement plan with 3% employer match after 1 year; FSA plan for commuting, parking, health, and dependent care expenses; Employee Assistance Plan and travel assistance; 3 weeks paid time off/year, with longevity increases; 13 paid holidays/year; 40 hours paid sick leave, plus additional accrued sick leave; and paid continuing education.
To Apply: The position will be open until filled. Resumes will be reviewed on a rolling basis beginning November 22, 2021.
Please email a cover letter, resume, and three professional references to:
Erin Smith, Executive Director
Family Violence Appellate Project, 449 15th Street, Suite 104, Oakland, CA 94612
Your cover letter should speak to: 1) why you are interested in working at FVAP; 2) how your background or experiences, professional or otherwise, have prepared you to contribute to our work and perform the required and any preferred qualifications, and; 3) how your background or experiences, professional or otherwise, have prepared you to contribute to our commitment to diversity and cultural responsiveness amongst our staff. Feel free to think broadly about your response to these questions, applying various aspects of your life and personal experiences.
To promote social justice and best serve our clients, FVAP is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to maintaining a diverse staff and providing culturally responsive services. Individuals of all races, ethnicities, national origins, religions, ages, sexes, sexual orientations, and gender identities, as well as people with disabilities, survivors of domestic violence and other forms of intimate partner, family, and gender-based abuse, candidates from traditionally underrepresented communities and historically oppressed groups, bilingual and bicultural candidates, and those who are the first in their family to complete college or graduate school, are encouraged to apply.
FVAP is located in Oakland, California, convenient to multiple bus lines and BART, and Bellevue, Washington.
Thank you for your interest in FVAP!
