Job Summary

Riis Settlement is seeking a full-time Immigration Attorney with a strong background in immigration law and demonstrated commitment to immigrant rights to join our Immigrant Services program. Reporting to the Director of Immigrant Services, the Immigration Attorney is responsible for providing comprehensive immigration legal services to clients, including legal consultations and representation for straightforward cases before USCIS. The attorney leads the organization’s work under the ActionNYC program, including supervising paralegals and overseeing casework at two program sites, located at Riis Settlement in Long Island City and Sunnyside Community Services in Sunnyside, Queens. This position is funded by an ActionNYC program grant from the Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs until June 30, 2023.

Organizational Background

Jacob A. Riis Neighborhood Settlement (Riis Settlement) is a community-based non-profit organization that offers comprehensive services to youth, seniors, immigrants, and families in the Western Queens community. Our mission is to build and strengthen underserved communities in Western Queens and act as a catalyst for change. The Immigrant Services program was founded to meet the needs of a growing immigrant population in the Queensbridge houses and the surrounding Long Island City and Astoria communities. Through ESOL and citizenship classes, immigration legal services, case management, and community outreach and organizing, we help over 1,000 immigrants per year be successful in work, education, and community life. The legal services program was established in 2009 and provides immigration assistance

Responsibilities:

1. Legal Services

• Work with paralegals to conduct 50 legal screenings (25 per program site) each month at Riis Settlement and Sunnyside Community Services offices.
• Provide legal representation to clients and prepare immigration applications for submission to USCIS for a range of straightforward immigration cases, including: naturalization, family petitions/consular processing, adjustment of status, removal of conditions, DACA and TPS renewals, and others.
• Liaise with other service providers for referrals of complex cases and other resources.

2. Supervisory Work

• Provide supervision to two paralegals at Riis and SCS through regular check-ins, case assistance, and oversight of their intakes and casework.
• Manage caseload and delegate casework to paralegals, as appropriate.
• Create and implement systems that ensure timely completion of high-quality work, while emphasizing sustainability for staff. Provide ongoing training and professional development opportunities for paralegals.

3. Planning, Tracking, and Evaluation

• Participate in meetings related to program planning, implementation, and evaluation. Maintain up-to-date case notes and data in LawLogix and internal databases.
• Monitor and evaluate program data and outcomes on a quarterly basis, in accordance with deliverables for current contracts/grants.
• Assist with completion of reports to funders and other stakeholders.

4. Community Outreach/Education

• Design, edit, and disseminate educational materials related to immigration issues.
• Collaborate with staff to plan and facilitate community presentations about immigration policy and immigrant rights, both internally and externally.

5. Training and Development

• Maintain awareness and understanding of immigration law and policy changes.
• Attend all mandatory ActionNYC trainings and meetings.

Requirements

Statement of Skills, Knowledge & Abilities

• Must be an admitted member of the Bar.
• Minimum of 3 years experience practicing immigration law, and knowledge and ability to handle complex immigration matters.
• Bilingual English/Spanish required; additional languages preferred.
• Excellent organizational and communication skills, with the ability to manage multiple tasks and meet deadlines.
• Personal integrity in handling ethically complex and confidential situations.
• Demonstrated ability to be a strong team member in a collaborative nonprofit environment.
• Committed to providing service in a manner that is sensitive to people of diverse cultures and backgrounds.

Benefits

Salary: $70,000.

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