Description
Position Title: Immigration Staff Attorney (Bilingual Spanish/English)
Position Type: Full-Time, Salaried, Exempt; In-Office (with opportunity to work at a hybrid schedule after 90 days of employment)
Reports to: Immigration Legal Director
Direct Reports: None
Salary Range: $90,000.00-$95,000.00 DOE, with $5,000.00 signing bonus
About La Raza Community Resource Center
La Raza Community Resource Center (www.larazacrc.org) (La Raza CRC) is a bilingual, multi-service non-profit organization dedicated to meeting the social service, immigration, educational, and leadership development needs of low-income families and individuals. La Raza Community Resource Center is located in the heart of the historic San Francisco Mission District, the vibrant cornerstone of San Francisco's Latine community. We have been serving the community for over 56 years. Our Social Services Program services include a food pantry, family counseling, educational workshops, support groups, rental assistance, and many other services. Our Immigration Program provides both affirmative family-based immigration services and removal defense. All of our legal and social services for San Francisco residents are pro bono. Together, our programs have evolved to serve our community as an essential destination for the basic needs of recent immigrant families.
Job Summary:
Directly reporting to the Immigration Legal Director, The Immigration Staff Attorney will work alongside two (2) other Immigration Staff Attorneys, two (2) paralegals. The Staff Attorney will work on both removal defense cases and affirmative immigration cases, dependent on capacity. The Immigration Staff Attorney will have the ability to train and learn from their colleagues as their capacity necessitates.
The Immigration Staff Attorney must be bilingual (English/Spanish), possesses the ability to work efficiently and independently, and has great attention to detail and organizational skills. This role will be strongly motivated to serve the immigrant community, be client-service oriented, and feel comfortable working with vulnerable individuals including trauma survivors. This is a full-time position (Monday to Friday, 40 hours per week) with a hybrid (in person and remote) work arrangement available upon completion of a 90 day employment probationary period.
Responsibilities:
Case Management:
- Provide eligibility and risk assessment, full representation, limited liability services, and legal consultations to low income clients filing immigration applications, including but not limited to family-based petitions, DACA, special immigrant juvenile status, naturalization, adjustments of status, asylum and related removal defense applications.
- Dedicate 1 week a month to the Rapid Response Network. Rapid Response duties may consist of but are not limited to: Providing educational and legal representation to protect the due process rights of San Francisco residents and to advocate on their behalf in the event that they are detained by ICE.
- Ability to handle 20-30 removal defense cases.
- Ability to act independently and to identify and access resources to assist in preparing cases.
- Comfortable working with minimal supervision.
- Demonstrates initiative and has the ability to work as a team member.
- Advanced legal research and writing skills.
- Maintain Legal Best Practices: Comply with best practices for non-profit immigration law practice, including ethical considerations, legal ramifications, fee collection, maintenance of client files and data for reporting requirements. Participate in regular peer review meetings and legal training.
- Oversee paralegals, ensuring the provision of high-quality intakes, legal screenings and orientations.
- Very strong attention to detail and excellent organizational skills.
- Exceptional time management skills – ability to meet deadlines.
- Ability to act independently and exercise sound judgment.
- Commitment to serving immigrants and sensitivity to the needs of the low-income, culturally diverse immigrant community.
- Experience in developing and providing services to the target population preferred.
- Proficiency in a Windows/PC environment, and able to quickly become proficient in the use of LRCRC’s immigration law software and database.
- All other duties: Perform all other duties as needed and/or as directed by their supervisor.
Required Qualifications:
- Education & Certification: Juris Doctor (J.D.) and current Bar Membership in good standing (California strongly preferred).
- 1–3 years of experience providing direct legal immigration services
- Working knowledge of immigration law, policies, and procedures.
- Experience working on affirmative and defensive asylum, adjustment of status, consular processing, among other, applications
- Excellent verbal and written communication in both English and Spanish.
- Proficiency with MS Office, especially Microsoft Word and Excel.
- Knowledge of working with Google and Cerenade preferred
- Ability to work well under pressure.
- Excellent interpersonal and client service skills.
Benefits:
- $5,000 Sign on Bonus
- Employer-paid Health insurance, with Vision including employer-paid coverage for dependents.
- Employer-paid Supplemental Vision including 50% employer paid coverage for eligible dependents.
- Employer-paid Dental with Ortho, including 50% coverage for eligible dependents.
- Employer paid Bar, American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) , and Continuing Legal Education (CLE) Fees.
- 403(b) retirement plan, with employer match up to 3% after 1 year of employment.
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP) .
- Vacation: 12 paid days per year through the first year of employment. Increasing every 2 years until reaching four (4) weeks per year at the fifth year of employment.
- Sick Leave Including paid family time .
- Holidays: 14 paid per year (includes birthday).
- Three (3) paid wellness days per year.
- Paid Parental Leave (Per the San Francisco Paid Parental Leave Ordinance).
- Daily paid lunch hour = 35 hour work week.
- Professional Development Opportunities.
- As a 501(c)(3) organization, we qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.
This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee(s) incumbent in this position. Employees will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform any other job-related duties requested by their direct supervisor or any person authorized to give instructions or assignments. All duties and responsibilities are essential functions and requirements and are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities. To perform this job successfully, the incumbents will possess the skills, aptitudes, and abilities to perform each duty proficiently. Some requirements may exclude individuals who pose a direct threat or significant risk to the health or safety of themselves or others. The requirements listed in this document are the minimum levels of knowledge, skills, or abilities. This document does not create an employment contract, implied or otherwise, other than an “at will” relationship.
La Raza Community Resource Center (LRCRC) is committed to providing equal employment opportunities for any employee or applicant without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, genetic information, disability or veteran status.
LRCRC also provides reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities or based on a sincerely held religious belief, in accordance with applicable laws. If you need to inquire about an accommodation, or need assistance with completing the application process, please email [email protected] .
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