Senior Program Analyst/Lead Program Analyst

Job Posting

The Office of Access & Inclusion (OA&I) leads the grantmaking for legal services, and policymaking on access to justice and diversity, equity, and inclusion work at the State Bar. In 2025, OA&I, working with the Legal Services Trust Fund Commission and the Board of Trustees, distributed approximately $313 million to 114 nonprofit legal aid organizations throughout the state. OA&I also supports various initiatives to promote and advance diversity, equity, and inclusion in the legal profession by partnering with other offices of the State Bar and external stakeholders.

The State Bar of California seeks a full-time Senior Program Analyst or Lead Program Analyst to join its access to justice and diversity, equity, and inclusion team. Responsibilities may include researching and drafting policies about diversity, equity, and inclusion in the legal profession and other industries; leading initiatives to promote and expand pro bono legal services; supporting partnerships and collaboration with various stakeholders to increase access and fairness in the legal system; developing and managing projects to advance access to the legal system and diversity, equity, and inclusion in California's legal profession; administrative rulemaking; and maintaining important relationships with volunteers, agencies, grantees, and other stakeholders. A small portion of the Senior or Lead Program Analyst's responsibilities may include grants administration. This position will require travel to visit in-person with State Bar grantees and other stakeholders and for meetings and conferences.

For both roles, the successful candidate will be an excellent communicator with precise writing and analytical skills; demonstrate sound judgment and attention to detail; and have strong project management and organizational skills. Because of OA&I's work with public commissions and councils, other State Bar offices, and external stakeholders, collaboration and relationship building skills are essential. Experience in policy analysis, legal aid, or grantmaking is a plus. The team values people who bring a passion for social justice, collegiality, and integrity to the workplace.

Senior Program Analyst

Under general direction, the Senior Program Analyst conducts professional-level analysis and administers programs and/or functions; performs specialty assignments and acts in a lead capacity with respect to lower-level professional and support staff; and performs related work as required.

Distinguishing Characteristics

The Senior Program Analyst is the lead/advanced journey-level professional class performing advanced, specialized work of a professional nature, utilizing skills that require technical expertise and an understanding of complex analytical procedures and program processes. Incumbents exercise a high degree of professional judgment with considerable independence. This class may function as the lead over professional, technical, and/or administrative support personnel on an ongoing or project basis. Responsibilities include project planning and the performance of high-level professional analyses and services in the division/unit to which they are assigned.

Examples of Essential Duties

• Provides expertise and guidance to other professional, and/or administrative staff in complex program analysis and solutions.
• Performs advanced research, conducts studies to determine needs, prepares reports, and recommends implementation procedures for a variety of program needs.
• Serves as a primary communication liaison with State Bar committees, members, financial institutions, vendors, contractors, general public, other departments and employees.
• Evaluates existing and alternative policies and makes recommendations toward establishment of revised policies and procedures.
• Performs advanced professional work in support of State Bar programs and services involving the knowledge, interpretation, and application of State Bar policies, rules, regulations, and procedures.
• Reviews processes and maintains program transactions, records and other documents; assists in the preparation and maintenance of statistical data, reports, correspondence, special studies, and conducts research.
• Provides input in developing and evaluating program policies and procedures and evaluates and proposes changes concerning the methods of operation.
• Provides lead direction over programs, staff, or special projects, which involves assigning, reviewing, and coordinating staff work.
• Trains staff in program policies, rules, regulations, and procedures; assesses workloads; assigns employees as necessary to ensure the proper level of support for ongoing activities of the department.
• Assists with the selection, training, direction, and evaluation of staff.
• Implements guidelines to ensure adherence to the State Bar rules and regulations governing the administration of State Bar programs, services, and membership.
• Represents the State Bar at programs and functions and responds to inquiries from board members, management, attorneys, and the public.
• May perform a number of other similar or related duties which may not be specifically included within this position description, but which are consistent with the general level of the job.

Employment Standards

• Knowledge of principles of office management, budgeting, administration, and supervision.
• Problem identification, analysis, and evaluation.
• Problem-solving and conflict-resolution methods and techniques.
• Computer information systems, including personal computer applications, word processing, and spreadsheet programs.
• Interviewing and investigative techniques.
• Principles of effective writing and verbal presentation.
• Coordination and operation of programs.
• Working knowledge of the State Bar Offices and their functions and general knowledge of other agencies and their interface with the State Bar.
• Personnel selection and supervisory principles, practices, and procedures.
• Computerized information and database recordkeeping systems.
• Office procedure, budget preparation, and maintenance techniques.

Ability to:

• Apply the policies and practices of a department.
• Understand, interpret, and apply laws, rules, and regulations related to assigned programs.
• Plan, organize, coordinate, and evaluate programs under conflicting deadlines and demands.
• Analyze material and problems and identify solutions.
• Analyze problems and complaints, and identify solutions in a timely manner.
• Mentor, assign, and prioritize work assignments of staff in support of meeting program goals.
• Operate modern office equipment, including computer hardware, software, and internet and web-based applications.
• Compile data and prepare narrative and statistical reports.
• Appropriately respond to requests and inquiries from the public, State Bar members, or other departments.
• Communicate concisely, and professionally, both orally and in writing.
• Establish and maintain effective interpersonal relationships at all organizational levels and with the public.
• Maintain the confidentiality of information.

Minimum Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor's degree in a field that develops skills related to essential duties, or a combination of education and experience sufficient to perform the duties of the position.

Experience:

• Minimum of three (3) years of journey-level professional experience in data collection and evaluation, research or performance or financial analysis, or grant compliance in a public sector, legal or nonprofit environment, or equivalent.

Lead Program Analyst

With minimum direction, the Lead Program Analyst plans, organizes, leads, and conducts complex analysis, program administration, and project management. Responsibilities include analyzing and evaluating significant programs; conducting research, data collection, and complex data analysis; conducting internal performance and fiscal audits; developing management systems, functions, policies, and procedures, including evaluating the impact of existing, newly enacted, and proposed legislation, regulations, and rules; administering major contracts; planning and supporting the implementation of unique projects and initiatives; and other functions as assigned. The Lead Program Analyst may act as an individual contributor or serve in a lead capacity over project teams or individual professional, technical, and support staff.

Distinguishing Characteristics

This classification is distinguished from the Senior Program Analyst in the series in that the Lead Program Analyst assumes greater and more complex responsibility for assuring the activities of the assigned major programs or functions are completed in accordance with the procedures and policies of the Bar and for development and implementation of comprehensive programs and projects of greater significance and broader impact. Duties involve highly complex and sensitive issues; incumbents are expected to work with minimal direction.

Examples of Essential Duties

• Oversees and conducts difficult, sensitive, highly visible, and complex analytical work that has a significant impact on the functions and operations of assigned program or Office; ensures accuracy of information and effectively communicates findings both verbally and in writing; and prepares presentations and reports to illustrate analyses for senior management and the public at public hearings and/or committee meetings.
• Confers with senior management staff to discuss, evaluate, and make policy recommendations regarding special projects and/or various complex, sensitive, or highly visible functions of the program or Office.
• Executes operational policies, procedures, strategic goals, and plans, and/or standards pertinent to initiatives that fall under the scope of the assigned program or Office.
• Conducts internal performance and financial audits pursuant