JOIN OUR staff

DOMESTIC WORKER RIGHTS PROJECT STAFF ATTORNEY

(Spanish language skills required.)

Haga clic aquí para ver el anuncio en español 

First Shift Justice Project is a nonprofit organization in Washington D.C. that helps working mothers and other caregivers in low wage jobs to assert their workplace rights and prevent job loss. 

First Shift seeks a D.C.-barred attorney to support the implementation and enforcement of D.C.’s domestic worker bill of rights, the Domestic Worker Employment Rights Amendment Act of 2022. This law protects household employees in D.C. from employment discrimination; gives them the right to a contract with the households that employ them; and protects them from violations of D.C.’s workplace health and safety law. The staff attorney will engage in the following activities:

• Advising and representing D.C. domestic workers regarding violations of the domestic worker bill of rights and other employment law claims, such as those involving workplace discrimination and wage and hour violations;

• Partnering with the D.C. Chapter of the National Domestic Workers Alliance (NDWA) to develop and distribute Know Your Rights resources for domestic workers, both online and in print;

• Training NDWA members to support their peers in enforcing the domestic worker bill of rights and other employment laws;

• Creating and disseminating resources to educate D.C. households that employ domestic workers; and

• Advising D.C. domestic workers regarding employment-related immigration issues and providing appropriate referrals.

Qualifications: Preferred candidates will have experience providing direct legal services to workers in low-wage jobs and/or knowledge of employment law, as well as a demonstrated commitment to public interest work. D.C. bar license is required. (For candidates awaiting D.C. bar exam results, employment is contingent on passing the exam). The ability to speak, read, and write in Spanish is required. The majority of clients will primarily communicate in Spanish.

Compensation: The salary is $71K, depending on experience. Benefits include health, dental, and vision insurance; a generous paid leave allowance; and a retirement plan. First Shift’s normal operating hours are 9-5, M-F. Employees work on a hybrid remote basis and have some flexibility to establish work hours that enable them to meet family commitments as needed. Please note that this is not a 100% remote position; the attorney will be expected to report in-person to First Shift’s office at least 2 days per week.

To apply, interested candidates should send a cover letter and resume via email, addressed to Laura Brown, Executive Director, at lbrown@firstshift.org. For the full job announcement, click here.

First Shift Justice Project is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, religion, age, pregnancy, disability, work-related injury, covered veteran status, political ideology, genetic information, marital status, family responsibilities or any other factor that the law protects from employment discrimination.

Summer 2025 Law Clerk

We are happy to work with bright and motivated students who are passionate about our issues! Our law clerks conduct legal research; draft legal memoranda; meet with clients; and help us reach out to organizations and their clients who might benefit from our services.

Our ideal candidate has demonstrated interest in employment law and economic security for women and families; experience working directly with clients; the capacity to empathize with First Shift’s client population; a professional demeanor; and strong writing skills. We will prioritize applicants for this position who have the ability to speak Spanish.

First Shift’s summer clerkship is 35 hours per week for 10 weeks and will be compensated at $18/hour; we are also open to considering part-time applicants. Work hours are flexible; currently, First Shift staff reports in-person to our D.C. office two days per week. To help fund the clerkship, First Shift requires its summer clerk to apply for any fellowship funding opportunities available to them.

Interested students should email a resume and cover letter addressed to its Legal Services Managing Attorney, Rosalind Herendeen, to rherendeen@firstshift.org. For the full job announcement, click here.

Equal Opportunity: First Shift Justice Project is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, religion, age, pregnancy, disability, work-related injury, covered veteran status, political ideology, genetic information, marital status, family responsibilities or any other factor that the law protects from employment discrimination.

JOIN OUR BOARD of Directors

First Shift Justice Project is a D.C.-based  nonprofit organization that empowers workers in low-wage jobs to exercise their rights related to caregiving and parenting. First Shift provides counseling, coaching, and representation to pregnant women, working parents, and caregivers on the issues of pregnancy and family responsibilities discrimination; pregnancy and breastfeeding accommodations; family and medical leave; and D.C. paid family leave benefits.

A First Shift Board Member is responsible for

• determining the mission and purpose of the organization

• evaluating the performance ofthe executive director

• strategic and organizational planning

• ensuring strong fiduciary oversight and financial management

• fundraising and resource development

• raising awareness about and promoting the organization’s work

Each individual board member is expected to

• participate in quarterly board meetings

• understand the organization’s mission, policies, programs, and needs

• review the organization’s financial statements

• serve as active advocates and ambassadors for the organization

• identify and secure the financial resources and partnerships necessary for the organization to

advance its mission

• give a meaningful personal financial donation or comparable fundraising efforts

Qualifications

Ideal candidates will have the following qualifications:

• demonstrated commitment to First Shift’s mission

• leadership skills and an interest in taking the lead in board activities and committees

• ability to collaborate with other board members

• time to commit to board service

This is a volunteer opportunity. First Shift Board Members make a three-year commitment. Our application process is currently closed. If you are interested in learning more, please contact us!

volunteer

Thanks for the offer! Please let us know of your specific skills and interests by contacting us and leaving a detailed comment.

Become a Program Partner

A critical aspect of First Shift’s approach to providing services is outreach to workers through organizations where they are already receiving services. If you serve workers who could benefit from our services, we would love to hear from you! Please contact us.