Director, Immigration Legal Services

Provides leadership and administration to Catholic Charities Immigration Legal Services (ILS) Program. Establishes, leads, implements, maintains, and monitors the daily operations and services of the ILS program. Provides direct services to clients according to professional standards and provides professional supervision to program staff. The program director plans the delivery of the overall program and its activities in accordance with the mission and the goals of the organization The Director represents Catholic Charities in the neighborhood, the Archdiocese, and the community at large, and manages the day-to-day operations of the program. The Director also provides direct immigration assistance to persons/families needing immigration legal assistance within the scope of Catholic Charities’ ILS and offers direct legal supervision to program staff. This position provides legal representation to persons before the Department of Homeland Security United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and Department of Justice Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR). The services include, among others, the following: (a) giving general consultation both on a collective and on individual basis, (b) completing forms instituted by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR) on behalf of clients, (c) representing clients before the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR), (d) networking with other community-based legal service providers in the area in advocacy efforts and policy changes.

Essential Job Functions:

Staff management:

  • Supervise all legal staff, interns and volunteers. Responsible for hiring and training employees; planning, assigning and directing work; appraising performance; rewarding and disciplining employees; as well as problem resolution.
  • On-site supervision and visits to El Puente Satellite office as needed.
  • Conduct weekly supervision meetings with ILS staff.
  • Conduct weekly gold sheet review on staff files before documentation is mailed to USCIS.
  • Conduct open and closed case file review on a quarterly basis.
  • Maintain and develop policies and procedures to ensure Program compliance with funding sources and Department of Justice (DOJ) Recognition and Accreditation.
  • Manage the reporting process for Performance and Quality Improvement.
  • Regularly update the program operations manual to ensure COA and DOJ compliance.

Budget management/Fund sourcing:

  • Responsible for monitoring funding sources and expenses.
  • Responsible for program funding including fee generation and assisting with grant writing/execution.
  • Responsible for locating new funding sources and maintaining relationships with current funders.
  • Responsible for writing quarterly and year-end reports for all funding sources.

Immigration legal assistance:

  • Conduct client consultations to determine if clients are eligible for federal immigration benefits.
  • Complete appropriate immigration applications for clients.
  • Represent clients before the Department of Homeland Security and Executive Office for Immigration Review-Omaha Immigration Court.
  • Stay up to date with changes in immigration law and other immigration related developments to ensure staff members understand these changes.
  • Handle complex cases involving issues such as criminal history, immigration law violations, current or previous removal proceedings, appeals, etc.
  • Research and analyze complex legal matters pertaining to own case load and that of staff under position’s supervision, assuming responsibility and risk for outcomes of program’s client cases.
  • Assume caseload of any departing staff member.
  • Maintain all case records and documentation mandated by Catholic Charities and ILS policies and procedures.
  • Make appropriate referrals as necessary for immigration legal services beyond the scope of the program or one’s own competencies, and for other social service needs.

Community outreach:

  • Actively participate or present relevant immigration information to the immigrant and nonimmigrant communities periodically as needed.
  • Assist in public relations efforts which increase the visibility of ILS, publicize immigration issues faced by immigrants and raise community awareness on immigration issues.
  • Create and maintain partnerships with community organizations for capacity building and funding opportunities.

Performs other related duties as assigned by management.

*Reliable attendance is an on-going essential job function.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

  • Must be bilingual in English and Spanish.
  • Have ability to obtain Full Department of Justice (DOJ) Accreditation or Attorney licensed in Nebraska.
  • Skill in professional supervision.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
  • Understanding of, and sensitivity to, people of low-income and multi-cultural backgrounds.
  • Ability to translate between English and Spanish and vice versa, fluently and accurately.
  • Ability to work with and be sensitive to non-English speakers.
  • Must be able to work with victims of domestic violence, and other crimes and be sensitive to their needs and situation.
  • Ability to function as an active, collaborative, team member, sometimes across agency lines.
  • Ability to read, analyze and apply legal material to clients’ cases.
  • Knowledge and ability to access the internet and research legal information.
  • Ability to present information effectively to an adult group in a public education forum.
  • Ability to prioritize multiple projects and ensure all deadlines are met.
  • Ability to organize and delegate tasks to other members of the team.
  • Computer proficiency including MS Word, Excel, Power Point, Outlook, Office 365.

Required of All Positions:

  • Knowledge and support of Catholic Charities’ purpose, mission, vision, values, and ethical standards.
  • Knowledge and support of the Catholic Charities Compliance Program requirements including – but not limited to – the Code of Ethics, the Compliance Policy, and all relevant compliance procedures.
  • Ability to demonstrate sensitivity to the service population’s cultural and socioeconomic characteristics.

Work Experience:

  • 3-5 years supervisory experience preferred.
  • Work experience in the immigration legal field, other legal field (3-5 years).
  • Experience working one-on-one, with people dealing with very personal information requiring confidentiality.
  • Work experience in researching and in handling legal matters as a fully Accredited DOJ Representative or attorney.

Education Level:

  • 4-year college degree

Licensure, Certifications, and other Designations:

  • Ability to obtain full Department of Justice (DOJ) Accreditation or Attorney licensed in Nebraska.
  • Valid Nebraska Driver’s License and Insurability.
  • CPR and First Aid certification or ability to obtain within first 3 months of employment.

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Closing Date

Employment Type

Affiliate Agency

Employment Level

Job

Hours

Full Time

Position

Director, Immigration Legal Services

Organization

Catholic Charities Immigration Legal Services

Job Location

Omaha, NV
United States