Outreach Worker, Farmworker Program in Woodburn, OR

Legal Aid Services of Oregon (LASO) seeks a full-time bilingual (Spanish/English) person to conduct outreach to agricultural workers.  The position will be based in the Woodburn office and is eligible for a partial remote work option.

Background
LASO is a non-profit organization that represents low-income clients in civil cases. LASO’s eight regional offices serve the general low-income population throughout the state and two specialized statewide programs provide services to farmworkers and representation on Native American issues. LASO is an effective, high-quality legal services program that is committed to advocacy strategies having the broadest possible impact on client community problems.  LASO is actively working to build an inclusive organizational culture that centers on racial equity.  LASO is committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce and providing a welcoming and culturally responsive environment for our staff and clients.

The Farmworker Program consists of eight staff, including attorneys and paralegal/outreach workers. The majority of our clients speak Spanish or one of the Mesoamerican indigenous languages such as Mixteco, Triqui or Zapoteco.  We emphasize areas of the law that community members tell us are most important to them and where representation and advocacy can achieve long term change. We work together with our clients to overcome the challenges they face including systemic racism, unpaid wages, poor working conditions, unsafe housing, and other forms of discrimination and retaliation for the exercise of their legal rights. We use strategies including community education, legal representation, and systemic advocacy.

Responsibilities
The outreach worker will interview clients; give educational presentations to groups of agricultural workers in Spanish; build partnerships with other agencies and community organizations; develop and implement outreach strategies including Spanish language media; produce informational flyers and PowerPoints in Spanish; visit farmworkers at migrant labor camps and other community settings; support legal representation and advocacy work; and complete other support tasks as needed.

Requirements
We seek applicants who have:

• a demonstrated commitment to justice for low-income communities, cultural competency and addressing systemic racism and other forms of oppression;
• lived or other meaningful experience with people living in poverty, persons of color, immigrant, indigenous or agricultural worker communities;
• excellent interpersonal communication skills;
• a high degree of initiative and willingness to work both independently and collaboratively;
• ability to speak, read and write Spanish;
• willingness to flex their work schedule to work occasional evenings and weekends as needed; and
• a valid Oregon driver’s license and access to a vehicle to travel.
• Training or experience in the legal field is not required.  Training will be provided.

Salary/Benefits
Compensation is based on a 35-hour work week on a scale of $41,000 – 65,000 depending on experience. Additional compensation for bilingual ability.  Full benefits package including individual and family health, vision and dental insurance coverage; 6% employer retirement contribution; generous paid holidays, vacation and sick leave; and paid moving expenses. 

Closing date
Open until filled. Review of applications to begin on September 1, 2022.

Applications
Send resume and cover letter describing your interest and relevant experience at: farmworkerjobs@lasoregon.org

We celebrate diversity
LASO is committed to being an organization that reflects the communities we serve and is diverse in race, color, national origin, sex, age, religion, marital status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, ancestry, national origin, or sensory, mental and physical abilities, work background, experience and education. We believe that the outcome of such diversity is our greatest strength and a matter of basic human fairness. It is to this end that we strongly encourage applications from people of color and people from any other underrepresented and historically marginalized group to apply for this position.

Employment - Legal Aid Services of Oregon (lasoregon.org)