Job description

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Director of Immigration Services (Attorney) is responsible for the oversight, administration, and execution of immigration programs and grants for the Immigration Integration Help Center (IIHC) according to ELF’s vision and mission statement. Moreover, the director provides legal immigration counseling to immigrant families in the Central Valley.

Responsibilities may include initiation and setting goals for immigration programs to the strategic objectives of the organization, planning the programs from start to completion involving deadlines, milestones, and processes, and developing or approving budgets and operations. Furthermore, the director ensures that applicable federal, state, and local regulations, ELF case management policies, and the Code of Ethics and Conduct provide assigned legal services. The Director works collaboratively with our staff, including the Program Manager, Staff attorneys, administrative support staff, and case workers, to provide client-centered, holistic services. The Director represents clients before the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS only) in the following areas of immigration: Adjustment of Status; Consular Process; Extension of Non-Immigrant Status; DACA Renewal Applications; Naturalization; Acquisition and Derivation of Citizenship; Legal Permanent Resident (LPR) Renewals; Advance Parole; Parole-in-Place; U-VISA; VAWA; Inadmissibility Waivers; Removal Defense Cases, TPS, Special Immigrant Juvenile Status, K-1 Visas, T-Visas, CAT, and other similar benefits.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

Performance Area 1: Key Responsibilities

• Litigate both affirmative and defensive cases before USCIS, EOIR, the BIA, and the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals.
• Assist staff in identifying and participating in relevant training and professional development.
• Oversee data collection and recording, keeping accurate and thorough client records, including maintaining case management policies and procedures up to date.
• Representative drafts, compiles, reviews, and files cases with DHS:
• Ensure compliance with ethical rules and all applicable regulations
• Oversees the processing of DACA Renewals, I-601and I-601A Waivers, applications for Adjustment of Status, Consular Process, Asylum, TPS, T-Visa, Special Immigration Juvenile Satus Juvenile, Non-immigrant U Visa petitions, Naturalization, Acquisition and Derivation of Citizenship, LPR Renewals, Advance Parole, Parole-in-Place, U-Visa, VAWA, FOIA, etc.
• Mentor, supervise, and provide support for a team of staff attorneys representing detained and recently released children and adults in their immigration removal proceedings and applications for immigration benefits;
• Monitor capacity and distribution of work through meeting regularly with attorneys in individual one-on-one meetings;
• Lead case review sessions and work collaboratively with staff to develop case strategies and litigation tactics;
• Guide staff attorneys to work as part of a team and in furtherance of the mission of the organization;
• Conduct performance evaluations, identify training needs, and address personnel issues for direct reports;
• Provide fearless and zealous representation to clients on their own reduced caseload of deportation defense cases;
• Other duties as assigned by the Executive Director of Education and Leadership Foundation.

Performance Area 2: Organizational Development

• The Director oversees program outreach, development, and administration, supervises staff and case management, and provides direct legal services to eligible community members
• Plan, monitor, and evaluate the effectiveness of the Immigration Integration Help Center, implementing best practices and ensuring timely completion of required deliverables for contracts and grants
• Develop and maintain relationships with partner organizations and coalitions
• Provide direct representation on complex cases as required
• Support staff to identify, train, and guide caseworkers to become DOJ Accredited representatives
• Develop and recruit pro-bono attorneys for events, case representation, and workshops
• Monitor changes to immigration law, regulations, and policy; prepare for significant changes in immigration law and their impact on program development and client services
• Prepare clear and concise reports and assist with completing grant proposals and renewal.
• Administrative work as required for completion of deadlines, grant reports and other reporting requirements.

Performance Area 3: Community Education and Advocacy

• Represents Education & Leadership Foundation professionally at community meetings and forums regarding legal services and community needs.
• Attend a minimum of two workshops a month via ELF events or with community partners.
• Providing technical assistance on DACA, Naturalization and Affirrmative Immigration Relief case work to local CBOs and partners.

EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE, LICENSE/CERTIFICATION, & SKILLS:

Education

• Juris Doctorate degree
• CA bar membership is preferred and will be given preference. Individuals with experience in immigration law, specifically in removal defense, will also be given preference.

Experience

• Strong case management, legal research, and legal writing skills
• A minimum of 2 to 5 years of immigration law experience, removal defense-specific experience, and affirmative cases;
• Experience in drafting affidavits about family-based cases and hardship waivers; legal issues experienced by diverse immigrant communities

License/certification

• Valid CA driver’s license.
• Must have a valid driver’s License, car insurance, and daily access to a car.
• Must be in good standing with the state bar (CA State Bar preferred).

Skills

• Biliterate (English/Spanish)
• Excellent communication skills both verbally and in writing.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively and build relationships with people of diverse social backgrounds
• Ability to stay organized, manage a high-volume workload and work under strict deadlines
• Experience representing children, families, and adults in applications for asylum/WOR/CAT, special immigrant juvenile status, cancellation, waivers, adjustment of status, immigration consequences of criminal convictions, bond, humanitarian parole, post-conviction relief, habeas petitions, BIA appeals, motions to reopen, and/or naturalization before USCIS or EOIR.
• Professional level skills using Word, Excel, and other relevant computer programs such as Quickbase and Egnyte case management software
• Experience and interest in working with ethnically diverse and low-income populations
• Knowledge of best practices in working with clients with mental competency issues, including those suffering from mental health challenges and children;
• Experience managing, teaching, and mentoring staff;
• Ability to work collaboratively and to handle multiple demands in a sometimes hectic and busy environment;
• Reviews case laws
• Outstanding written and oral communication skills
• Strong ability to work independently and manage multiple tasks at once
• Excellent understanding of best practices
• Strong organizational skills and extreme attention to detail
• Knowledge of U.S. Immigration and Nationality Act, Code of Federal Regulation, and USCIS Policy Manuals
• Ability to connect clients to existing community resources
• Strong legal research capabilities
• Excellent legal writing proficiency
• Excellent interpersonal and team skills
• Ability to thrive in a flexible, fast paced, accredited, and growth-oriented environment
• Ability to explain complex legal procedures to multi-ethnic audiences
• Ability to learn and follow instructions
• High analytical ability to spot issues and plan legal services for clients
• Ability to successfully pass a criminal background investigation.

Additional Duties:

• Confidentiality/Privacy compliance - Treats all client, member, and employee information as sensitive and confidential. Responsible for maintaining compliance with all HIPAA regulations and requirements where applicable.
• Compliance - Ensure compliance with all local, state, and federal regulations.
• Quality Improvement - Participate in quality improvement activities and contribute towards the overall performance improvement of the department and organization.
• Safety - All employees will participate in the ELF safety program.
• Travel – The position may require you to work weekends/evenings and travel as needed.
• Work Schedule – the position may participate in evening and/or weekend activities as the department and organization require.

ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS AND PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

Environmental Conditions:

Work generally occurs within an office environment. Air quality is good, with adequate lighting at desks/workstations. Noise conditions are moderate and limited to self and others on telephone calls and general interactions with coworkers and the public.

Physical Requirements:

• Must be able to lift to 20 pounds and push up to 50 pounds (on wheels).
• Must hear staff on the phone and those served in person and speak clearly to communicate information to patients and staff.
• Must be able to read memos, computer screens, personnel forms, and clinical and administrative documents.
• Must have high manual dexterity.
• Must be able to reach above the shoulder level to work, must be able to bend, squat and sit, stand, stoop, crouch, reach, kneel, twist/turn

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $85,000.00 - $110,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift

Ability to commute/relocate:

• Fresno, CA 93726: Reliably commute or planning to relocate before starting work (Required)

License/Certification:

• Driver's License (Preferred)

Work Location: In person

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