Description

The Director of Family Immigration Services supports the mission and purpose of the Family Immigration Services Department (FIS) as a U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) recognized agency in providing low cost immigration services to immigrants and refugees. The Director manages the operations of FIS serving immigrants and their families across a 10-county service area. Supervises and trains DOJ-accredited staff and other program staff. Provides guidance and assistance on cases and ensures compliance with all legal and ethical standards. Assists immigrants and refugees seeking counsel or legal representation on cases for federal immigration benefits through legal representation, community information sessions, and related immigration activities.

Essential Duties/Responsibilities

• Establish, staff, and manage an organizational structure that facilitates the effective functioning of FIS, establishing overall service delivery standards and operations throughout the 10-county service area that complies with ethical guidelines and all applicable regulations.
• Develop operating plans for FIS in support of the agency’s strategic plan to include long and short term goals and objectives, as well as measurable program outcomes.
• Provide individualized case management services appropriate to each client’s needs.
• Provide direct legal services by meeting with clients, preparing applications, drafting client declarations, and submitting cases to Executive Office of Immigration Review (EOIR) and U. S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
• Gather necessary documentation to support successful immigration case work.
• Assist clients with the preparation, review, and submission of petitions to USCIS.
• Represent clients in Immigration Court hearings and administrative interviews, as necessary. Provide technical review of filings of accredited staff.
• Serve as point person for risk mitigation related to provision of legal advice and counsel.
• Provide supervision for FIS staff, as well as supervision of all legal immigration work on behalf of clients on an on-going basis to ensure the highest quality of work and full compliance with governing policy and law.
• Develop training standards for all staff. Oversee and monitor recognition (licensing) of agency and accreditation of individual staff through the DOJ.
• Coordinate human resource issues including recruitment, selection, and training of FIS staff.
• Identify and mitigate risks for the department in cooperation with human resources.
• Report to the VP of Adult & Immigrant Services and Sr. VP of Operations (SVPO) on the status of FIS programs and matters affecting policy.
• Develop and update department policies to promote compliance with regulation and accredited standards.
• Participate in administrative and legislative advocacy at local and national levels.
• Participate in workshops for the public and collaborative partners on basic pathways to citizenship, benefits eligibility, understanding individual rights, and other topics.
• Prepare and manage the department’s annual operating budget in conjunction with the VP of Adult & Immigrant Services, SVPO, CFO, and CEO.
• Monitor monthly financial reports for compliance. Review contracts and Memorandums of Agreement/Understanding to support department operations.
• Guide access and delivery of legal immigration services to immigrants throughout the Diocese of Colorado Springs researching and implementing appropriate methods or technologies.
• Support communication efforts targeted to immigrant and refugee communities on Catholic Charities’ immigration services and critical topics for safety and welfare of those communities.
• Prepare and present presentations in community settings.
• Support fund development, grant writing, reporting/contracting, and public relations efforts for FIS in conjunction with the Development Department.
• Provide for the maintenance of appropriate records, files, database entries, and reports.
• Comply with all documentation and work products required to comply with DOJ requirements and grant funders.

Skills & Competencies

• Demonstrated self-starter and ability to work independently with little supervision, collaboratively within a team, and with professionals from other fields to assist clients.
• Excellent communication (verbal and written) in English and Spanish, problem solving, listening, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to form and maintain positive work relationships.
• Detailed and strong administrative, organizational, and management skills, with ability to prioritize multiple important tasks, meet deadlines, and work under pressure.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, and ability to manage client cases in LawLogix cloud-based case management and tracking system.

Requirements

• Juris doctor degree and admission to the bar of any state, or previous U.S. DOJ full accreditation required.
• Three or more years’ experience as a practicing attorney or accredited legal immigration counseling, to include experience representing individual clients in a variety of family-based and other processes before USCIS is desired.
• One to three years managing/supervising a diverse workforce providing immigration legal services, or other similar human services delivery.
• Advanced proficiency in Spanish and fluency in English (verbal and written).
• Frequent travel using own transportation and working outside of normal business hours are required. Ability to work some weekends and evenings.
• Strong commitment to supporting immigrants and refugees.
• Advanced understanding of immigration and citizenship law and procedure, including but not limited to family based immigration, waivers of grounds of inadmissibility, U visa and VAWA, T visa, asylum, Special Immigrant Juvenile Status, naturalization, and Deferred Action for Childhood Arrival.
• Demonstrated responsiveness and sensitivity to cultural differences. Ability to apply culturally appropriate skills in interactions with clients, co-workers, volunteers, partner agencies, and other community members.
• Ability to establish, foster, interact persuasively, and maintain effective working relations with a broad variety of groups, within and outside the organization.
• Ability to bring diverse community groups together, to establish rapport and to build on contact to enhance programs and populations served by the program.
• Excellent public-speaking communication skills and the ability and willingness to represent Catholic Charities in a positive and proactive manner within agency guidelines.
• Understanding of how the work of Catholic Charities upholds Catholic social teaching.

Compensation

• $58,000 - $72,000 DOE

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