Summary

Northern Nevada Legal Aid (NNLA) seeks a full-time Staff Attorney/OLAP Accredited Representative to assist in its dynamic Immigration Unit. This position will represent individuals in immigration legal proceedings in affirmative matters in front of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services and potentially in defensive matters before the Executive Office for Immigration Review’s Immigration Courts. Depending on the background and experience of the applicant, this position will be tasked with one or more of the department’s various case types, including: Family Based Immigration (I-130, Adjustment of Status, Consular Processing, Victims of Crime Benefits (U-Visa, T-Visa, VAWA, SIJS), Humanitarian Benefits (DACA, TPS, Refugee Adjustment, Affirmative Asylum), Citizenship (Naturalization, N-600), and Removal Defense (Defensive Asylum, UAC/SIJS, Cancellation of Removal), as well as other ancillary applications/benefits.

Duties and Responsibilities

The Immigration Staff Attorney/OLAP Representative will be responsible for:

• Assisting individuals in completing and filing applications for immigration relief in front of USCIS and/or EOIR
• Representing individuals in affirmative interviews and at the USCIS Field Office in Reno, NV, USCIS Asylum Office in San Francisco, CA, and/or in defensive hearings at the Reno Docket of the Las Vegas Immigration Court
• Collecting, updating, and reviewing client and grant-reporting data on a monthly basis
• Making referrals both internally to other units within NNLA and other community partners
• Occasional outreach, community education, and other regional events
• Other administrative tasks as assigned/necessary

Qualifications

• Admitted and in good standing with any bar of the 50 states, DC or Puerto Rico, a recent law school graduate, or a currently Fully/Partially Accredited OLAP Representative immediately eligible to apply for accreditation with NNLA upon employment.
• Bilingual in the English/Spanish language (Strongly Preferred)
• Prior experience in immigration law/casework.
• Have strong communication skills, both written and verbal
• Have excellent interpersonal skills
• Be comfortable working with individuals of different backgrounds, including those from different cultures, socio-economic statuses, seniors, and vulnerable populations
• Have excellent organizational and problem-solving skills
• Have strong computer/database skills and excellent attention to detail
• Be able to take initiative and work independently, as well as part of a team
• Commitment to Social Justice, particularly in the realms of legal aid and immigrants’ rights

While not required, additional language skills, as well as prior experience working with low-income individuals, victims of trauma, crime, or domestic violence, and/or case management software are also desirable.

Salary/Benefits

Position is a full-time, exempt position, with salary to be negotiated depending upon experience.

NNLA promotes a positive work-life balance by offering a 35-hour work week, 13 paid holidays per year, and a generous PTO program that starts accruing immediately to earn over 5 weeks of PTO a year (increase in PTO accrual after 2 years).

NNLA offers a competitive benefits package which pays 100% of the employee Medical, Dental, Vision and Life plans along with paying 75% of dependents benefit premium. In addition, NNLA has a 401(k) matching program, an Employee Assistance Program, Flexible Spending Account, Dependent Care Account, and supplemental benefits.

Application Deadline and Starting Date

Position is available immediately and will remain posted until filled. Applications and interviews will be reviewed/conducted on a rolling basis.

How to Apply

To apply, please email a cover letter, and resume to lmonge@nnlegalaid.org with the Subject Line: Immigration Staff Attorney/OLAP Accredited Representative. References will be required upon advancement in the potential hiring process.

Location

Work is expected to be performed primarily on-site at the primary office of NNLA, located at 299 S. Arlington Ave nestled between Reno’s lively Downtown and Midtown neighborhoods. While the majority of work is expected to be performed on-site a hybrid/telework schedule may be considered dependent on organizational needs.

About Northern Nevada Legal Aid

Formerly known as Washoe Legal Services, Northern Nevada Legal Aid (NNLA) is a private 501(c)(3) non-profit organization in Washoe County, Nevada which was established in 1965 and has been in continuous operation since. NNLA provides Northern Nevada’s vulnerable populations access to justice, regardless of their ability to pay, to protect their rights, safety and family stability.

NNLA plays a critical role in increasing the safety and stability of domestic violence victims and their children; protecting the rights of abused and neglected children, the indigent, and the elderly; and increasing the safety and stability of immigrants who are elderly or victims of crime and domestic or sexual violence. NNLA’s purpose is to achieve justice for those whose voices might otherwise not be heard, to empower individuals to advocate for themselves, and to make positive changes in the communities we serve.

In 2021, Northern Nevada Legal Aid assisted in over 8,820 legal matters. Specifically, NNLA represented children in the custody of the Washoe County Department of Health and Human Services and the Department of Children and Family Services (rural counties) in 1,597 legal matters, including 1,366 in their underlying 432B (abuse and neglect) matters, 26 in adoptions, 150 in minor guardianships, 20 in termination of parental rights cases, and 150 in continuing jurisdiction after having reached 18 years of age; NNLA represented 1,268 protected persons in adult guardianship cases; NNLA assisted 877 clients with housing and/or foreclosure related issues; NNLA assisted victims of domestic violence in 70 extended protective order cases and 102 divorce and/or custody cases; NNLA assisted 368 individuals (including, primarily, victims of crime) in immigration matters; and NNLA provided self-help services to nearly 2,290 individuals.

The Immigration Unit is recognized under the Department of Justice’s Recognition and Accreditation Program with a staff of three: one full time Fully Accredited Representative, one part time Partially Accredited Representative, and a Legal Assistant. The Unit represents individuals in a variety of immigration law matters including: family-based immigration matters, immigration benefits for victims of crime, citizenship, renewing, and maintaining lawful immigration status for documented individuals, other humanitarian benefits, such as DACA & TPS, as well as asylum and refugee matters and removal proceedings in the Immigration Court.

Diversity Statement

Northern Nevada Legal Aid is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization committed to the empowerment of vulnerable individuals and communities, through the expansion of access to legal justice in Northern Nevada. We do not discriminate in regards to gender, age, race, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, disability or any other protected class as provided for by law or statute. Individuals of diverse backgrounds are highly encouraged to apply.