Staff Attorney / Advocate

POSITION:                  Staff Attorney/Advocate

REPORTS TO:           Senior Supervising Attorney

SECTION:                    Training and Technical Assistance

STATUS:                       Full-Time, Exempt, Bargaining

LOCATION:                Remote

SALARY RANGE:   $80,000 – $85,000

Summary Description: The Staff Attorney/Advocate has responsibility for providing technical assistance, conducting trainings (both in-person and virtual), and writing/updating articles and other resource materials on immigration program management (including Department of Justice Recognition and Accreditation), substantive immigration law, and the ethical practice of law.  

Primary Responsibilities:

Training and Technical Assistance

• Maintain knowledge and understanding of fundamentals of U.S. immigration law and practice relevant to the services provided by CLINIC’s network of immigration legal services providers (“CLINIC affiliates”) and partner legal service providers (“LSPs”).
• Remain up to date on immigration law, policy, and regulation changes.
• Provide accurate and comprehensive advice, resources, and tools to CLINIC affiliates and partner LSPs on immigration program management and ethical practice of law through CLINIC’s Affiliate Support Form.
• Work collaboratively with other CLINIC teams to address competency concerns and high-risk immigration legal services programs.  
• Provide accurate comprehensive legal advice to affiliates on substantive, case-specific questions through the Ask the Expert portal.
• Consult with CLINIC affiliates and partner LSPs on requests for assistance with DOJ Recognition and Accreditation. Guide CLINIC affiliates and partner LSPs through the application process through reviewing and providing feedback on DOJ agency recognition and staff accreditation applications (both partial and full).
• Develop, prepare, and present high-quality training on topics related to immigration program management, ethical practice of law, and substantive legal issues.
• Work collaboratively with CLINIC’s Field Engagement team as needed to:
  1. determine topics for training and resources;
  2. identify internal and external barriers that impede local program successes based on affiliate inquiries and feedback and creatively brainstorm solutions and make recommendations to programmatic challenges;
  3. coordinate and collaborate on affiliate check-in calls, site visits, assessment reports, recommendations, and progress as well as on affiliate cohort sessions;
  4. determine areas for continued excellence or improvement in providing training and technical assistance.
• Maintain accurate records in CLINIC’s data management system.

Writing

• Assist in creating, disseminating, and updating written resource materials on immigration program management, the ethical practice of law, and substantive legal issues.
• Support CLINIC’s Advocacy section on select issues including analyzing and drafting comments to proposed regulations, changes in policy guidance and revisions to immigration forms.

Grant Implementation

• Assist in implementation and management of grant-funded projects including maintaining accurate records, statistics, and data and providing information needed for funding applications and reports.

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities:

• Juris Doctor Degree or DOJ Full or Partial Accreditation 
• At least three years of experience with non-profit immigration legal services program management; program evaluation/assessment; organizational/strategic planning; and substantive immigration practice.
• Knowledge of immigration laws/policies/regulations; delivery of direct immigration legal services; resource development; best practices; and non-profit management
• Ability to manage work on multiple projects effectively and efficiently
• Ability to coordinate and manage special projects
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Strong training content development and public speaking skills
• An uncompromising commitment to social justice
• Ability to travel on occasion for trainings and conferences

Other:

• Demonstrate knowledge of and support the organization’s mission, vision, value statements, policies and procedures, operating instructions, confidentiality standards, and the code of ethical behavior
• Fulfill CLINIC’s expectations that all staff:
  1. Serve with integrity
  2. Develop innovative solutions
  3. Promote learning — for themselves, for their colleagues, and for our network
  4. Cultivate constructive relationships
  5. Model stewardship
  6. Maintain professionalism and positivity in workplace interactions
  7. Demonstrate leadership and takes initiative
  8. Take responsibility for actions, results and mistakes
  9. Communicate in a timely and effective manner, keeping individuals informed of key issues and needs
  10. Develop and exercise strong problem-solving skills and judgement
  11. Focus on building and strengthening relationships across and outside the organization
  12. Demonstrate flexibility and openness by adapting to changing priorities, ideas, strategies, procedures and methods
  13. Make effective decisions
  14. Resolve conflicts constructively
  15. Demonstrate behavior that supports fundraising as a critical and shared responsibility

Work Environment:

• This position may require extended periods of standing, sitting, repetitive movements, bending and lifting of significant weight.
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the key components and primary responsibilities.
• The work you will do is covered by a collective employment agreement between Catholic Legal Immigration Network, Inc. "CLINIC" and the Nonprofit Professional Employees' Union "NPEU" Local 70. Please contact your local union representative at clinicworkersunited@gmail.com with any union-related questions.

Equal Employment Opportunity and Diversity Commitment

• CLINIC considers all applicants for employment without regard to race, color, ancestry, national origin, sex, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, marital status, family responsibilities, religion, age, disability, service in the military, or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state, or local law. CLINIC also provides “reasonable accommodations” to qualified individuals with disabilities, in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and applicable state and local laws. All interested individuals, regardless of background, are encouraged to apply.  
• We embrace and encourage our employees’ differences in race, color, ancestry, national origin, sex, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, and other characteristics that make our employees unique. 
• Accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the key components and primary responsibilities

Location: Anywhere within the continental United States

To Apply: To be considered for this position, please submit your resume and cover letter.