Community Justice Worker - Disaster Legal Services Communications & Outreach

Community Justice Worker – Disaster Legal Services Communications & Outreach

Northern, New Mexico – Based in either Las Vegas or Santa Fe Offices.

New Mexico Legal Aid (NMLA) provides civil legal services to low-income New Mexicans for a variety of legal issues including domestic violence/family law, consumer protection, housing, and public benefits. NMLA has offices throughout the state including Albuquerque, Santa Fe, Las Cruces, Gallup, Roswell, Silver City, Las Vegas, Taos, and Santa Ana.

NMLA seeks a Community Justice Worker (CJW)to support the Disaster Legal Services (DLS) Program through a primary focus on communications, outreach strategy, and community engagement for individuals and communities impacted by federally declared disasters in New Mexico, including wildfires, flooding, and related events.

The CJW will play a central role in developing, coordinating, and implementing outreach and communications efforts that increase awareness of available legal services, promote community education, and strengthen relationships with partners statewide.

The Community Justice Worker is primarily responsible for leading and supporting program communications, outreach campaigns, and community engagement activities, in a manner consistent with Legal Services Corporation (LSC) regulations and NMLA policies and procedures.

Key Program Focus Areas

• The CJW will support outreach and communications related to disaster legal issues, including but not limited to:FEMA applications and appeals
• Housing and landlord-tenant issues
• Contractor fraud and scams
• Insurance and rebuilding issues
• Probate and property/title issues
• Public benefits and financial recovery

This position will be located in either Santa Fe or Las Vegas, NM, and reports to the Northern Managing Attorney or their designee while closely with the Disaster Relief Project Manager.

The responsibilities of the CJW for Disaster Legal Services include, but are not limited to the following:

Communications & Outreach Strategy

• Develop and implement coordinated outreach and communications plans to increase awareness of DLS services across impacted communities.
• Draft, edit, and disseminate outreach materials including flyers, brochures, social media content, newsletters, and website updates.
• Manage and maintain DLS social media presence and digital communications, including scheduling posts and tracking engagement metrics.
• Coordinate media outreach efforts, including radio campaigns, print media placements, and public service announcements.
• Ensure messaging is clear, accessible, culturally appropriate, and aligned with program priorities and disaster-specific legal needs.

Community Engagement & Partnerships

• Represent NMLA at community events, resource fairs, and partner meetings to promote DLS services and build relationships with stakeholders.
• Coordinate and support outreach events including legal clinics, workshops, and "know your rights" presentations.
• Collaborate with local, state, and nonprofit partners to expand outreach reach and distribute educational materials.
• Maintain and update partner contact lists, outreach distribution lists, and community resource directories.

Education & Resource Development

• Assist in developing and delivering community education materials, including pro se guidance and disaster legal issue-spotting resources.
• Support the creation of training materials for community partners on identifying disaster-related legal issues.
• Contribute to the development of webinars, presentations, and digital resource libraries.

Program Support & Client Interaction

• Conduct initial client engagement at outreach events and assist with intake coordination where appropriate.
• Conduct initial client interviews and holistic advocacy screenings (including home visits where necessary), perform intakes when appropriate, and assist attorneys and clients in maintaining contact with each other.
• Support attorneys and staff by connecting community members with legal services and relevant resources.
• Assist in tracking outreach activities, event participation, and communications metrics for reporting purposes.

Operations & Administrative Support

• Assist with planning and deployment of the mobile outreach unit for community-based events and disaster response activities.
• Maintain organized records of outreach efforts, communications materials, and engagement data.
• Participate in internal meetings, trainings, and program development activities.
• Perform other related duties as assigned to support overall program operations.

Required Qualifications

• Familiarity with the cultures, geography, and conditions of communities in Northern New Mexico.
• Demonstrated experience in communications, outreach, marketing, or community engagement.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to convey complex information clearly and effectively.
• Experience with social media platforms, digital communications tools, and basic content creation.
• Ability to work collaboratively with diverse communities and stakeholders.
• Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and web-based communication tools.
• Ability and willingness to travel for outreach and events, including occasional evenings and weekends.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working in disaster response, legal services, nonprofit, or community-based programs.
• Experience developing outreach campaigns or managing communications strategies.
• Knowledge of legal issues impacting disaster survivors (e.g., FEMA appeals, housing, consumer protection, insurance).
• Bilingual (English/Spanish) preferred but not required.

The position is part of a collective bargaining agreement. Pay is determined by years of experience and set by a union scale; click here to view the salary scale. NMLA provides comprehensive benefits, holiday and leave packages. For information about NMLA's generous benefits, and what it is like to work at NMLA click here

Company Benefits:

• 100% employer-paid BCBS medical, plus dental and vision for employees; generous contributions for dependents
• 3 weeks vacation time, 6 days personal time, plus sick pay and federal holidays off
• Hybrid work schedule (3 days in office, 2 days remote – your choice!).
• 37.5-hour work week
• 403(b) Retirement Plan
• Click here for more information

Salary: $49,077.55 - $70,232.52 DOE.

Application Deadline: Until filled. Resumes reviewed on a rolling basis.

Applicants must submit a current resume, three references, and a cover letter that explains your interest in this position and the mission of NMLA. Your application will not be considered unless we receive all of these documents. To apply, visit:

Applicants will be subject to a background check. Please do not let this deter you from applying. NMLA is committed to a strong workforce and recognizes that persons with marks on their record may still be able to perform admirably.

NMLA is an EEO Employer.