Summary

The Director of Advocacy leads, manages, directs, and supervises CLINIC’s administrative advocacy efforts by identifying legal and policy trends that affect immigrants, developing the agency’s administrative advocacy agenda and priorities. Additionally, the Director of Advocacy develops and implements strategies to address these priorities with CLINIC’s Executive Director and programmatic teams. The Director of Advocacy will also identify issues requiring legislative reform and collaborate closely with the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), to pursue such reforms.

This position is a member of CLINIC’s senior leadership and as such provides input and participates in planning for decisions affecting the entire organization and shares responsibility for achieving CLINIC’s mission through effective and efficient mobilization of its resources. The Director of Advocacy must demonstrate a willingness to understand, respect and contribute to CLINIC’s mission, vision, values, and beliefs.

Duties and Responsibilities

Administrative Advocacy

• Monitor, document, and analyze trends and issues of an administrative nature that impact immigrants
• Lead CLINIC’s annual administrative advocacy priorities process for Board review and discussion.
• Devise strategies to pursue administrative advocacy agenda
• Coordinate with USCCB to ensure that CLINIC priorities are incorporated into the Conference’s legislative priorities and responsive/proactive strategies are devised and pursued to advance CLINIC’s priorities
• Monitor regulatory agenda and lead CLINIC’s comment writing process in response to proposed rules and policy changes.
• Supervise process for accepting case inquiries from affiliates and pursuing interventions within DHS and other parts of the government, documenting outcomes and reporting to affiliates on results.
• Develop, strengthen, and maintain strategic, working relationships with key government officials with responsibility to effect policy and procedural matters.
• Establish, strengthen, and maintain relationships with relevant stakeholders and coalitions whose objectives include administrative change on immigration law and policy.
• Update CLINIC staff, network, and partners and other relevant stakeholders on administrative advocacy matters

Policies and Analyses

• Ensure that all policy matters within CLINIC’s priorities have written policy to clarify CLINIC’s position for use and/or reference by staff and stakeholders.
• Prepare and disseminate written resources, as needed, to clarify an issue and the Church’s and/or CLINIC’s position
• Supervise process for responsive support to CLINIC constituencies in their efforts to promote positive immigration policies at the state and local levels

Communications and Advancement

• Collaborate with CLINIC’s Communications team in presenting and amplifying CLINIC’s position on issues of importance to CLINIC, CLINIC’s network, and the Catholic Church
• Participate in media interviews and other opportunities to speak publicly on behalf of CLINIC
• Assist in drafting appeal letters, grant proposals, and grant reports in collaboration with CLINIC’s Advancement team to support staff expenses, section operations, and projects.

Management and Administration

• Provide Section staff with necessary direction, supervision, and support to ensure clarity in roles, responsibilities, and expectations
• Develop annual operational plans and proposed budgets for Section
• Monitor spending against approved budgets and Section performance against planned objectives
• Ensure that section staff have updated position descriptions, current work plans, and are familiar with and comply with CLINIC personnel and administrative policies and procedures
• Conduct performance evaluation and offer regular feedback and guidance to section staff
• Assess staff resource and developmental needs, develop strategies and budgets for meeting those needs, and facilitate access to developmental resources 
• Ensure section staff understand, respect and contribute to CLINIC’s mission, vision, values, and beliefs

Participation in Projects, Teams, Work Groups, and Committees

Provide leadership and represent CLINIC’s interests in:

• Justice for Immigrants Campaign Core Members Forum
• CCUSA Social Policy Committee
• Various immigration policy-related policy coalitions and forums

Fulfill CLINIC’s expectations that all staff

• Serve with integrity
• Develop innovative solutions
• Promote learning – for themselves, for their colleagues, and for our network
• Cultivate constructive relationships
• Model stewardship
• Maintain a positive attitude
• Exhibit leadership skills and initiative
• Communicate effectively
• Own your work
• Teamwork and collaboration with colleagues
• Resolve conflict effectively and make effective decisions

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Juris Doctor Degree or fully accredited representative
• Ten years of immigration law practice, advocacy, and/or policy experience
• Five years of management, administration, and supervisory experience
• Three years of project management experience
• If licensed attorney, must be a member in good standing of the bar of the highest court in any state or the District of Columbia
• Conflict resolution skills and the ability to handle situations that require decision-making relative to interdepartmental responsibilities/working relationships
• Knowledge and understanding of Catholic social teaching on immigration
• Ability to manage and supervise multiple levels of diverse personnel
• Ability to travel on occasion for trainings, meetings, and conferences
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Ability to maintain confidentiality in matters relating to personnel and sensitive policy matters involved in the leadership of the agency

Work Environment

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the key components and primary responsibilities.

This position is based in Silver Spring, MD.
Salary range is $100,000-$107,000.
Please send your resume, cover letter and salary requirements to: careers@cliniclegal.org.

Summary

The Director of the Immigration Legal Services Department (ILS Director) will establish and provide effective management and oversight for all operational and strategic services and programs offered by the Immigration Legal Services Department (ILS) of Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City (CCAOKC). The ILS Director will ensure that the legal services provided to ILS clients by ILS employees are provided in a professional, ethical, quality and timely manner. Additionally, the ILS Director will personally maintain a reasonable caseload and will directly provide quality legal services to potential clients through assessing their eligibility for family-based immigration benefits and, if such benefits are available, by representing them before applicable Federal agencies or court systems.

Essential Duties

Include but are not limited to:

• Strict compliance with all applicable ethical and confidentiality standards, rules and regulations. Admitted to and licensed by the state bar of Oklahoma or of another state(s), which license must be maintained in good standing at all times.
• Upon request of CCAOKC’s Senior Director of Clinical and Legal Services (Legal Services Senior Director) or its Senior Director or Administration or its Executive Director, provide CCAOKC with such proof of Good Standing as requested by CCAOKC. Immediately notify the Legal Services Senior Director of any complaint or grievance made against the ILS Director by an ILS client or any inquiry, investigation, complaint or otherwise made, instituted or formally brought by an applicable state or federal bar licensing body relating to any alleged ethics violations by the ILS Director.
• Strict compliance with all CCAOKC policies and procedures applicable to ILS or to the ILS Director.
• Demonstrate a clear understanding and knowledge of all ILS policies, procedures and practices, including without limitation the scope of the use of client program software and periodically review and, with the approval of the Legal Services Senior Director, amend them, as necessary.
• As required from time to time by CCAOKC, prepare, plan and monitor budgets for ILS in coordination with the Legal Services Senior Director.
• As required by CCAOKC, prepare, plan and monitor strategic plans for ILS in coordination with the Legal Services Senior Director and, as appropriate, with ILS staff.
• Develop and implement a plan for the ongoing supervision and evaluation of all ILS employees.
• Develop and implement a plan for the ongoing training of all ILS employees regarding the then current policies, procedures and practices of ILS and the legal issues relating thereto. 
• On an ongoing basis, in coordination with and the approval of the Legal Services Senior Director, recommend plans for the hiring and supervision of additional staff and/or the delegation of duties of the ILS Director to other employees of ILS and/or the reduction or realignment of ILS staff as appropriate.
• Timely prepare and submit all required reports required by CCAOKC or its funding sources relating to ILS.
• Keep informed about national and local immigration issues relevant to the legal services provided by ILS.
• Develop, prepare and conduct or oversee legal services outreach and education programs on family based legal immigration issues for presentation to community and stakeholder groups or for presentation or through social media as approved by the Legal Services Senior Director. Although the ILS Director position is based in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, travel and overnight stays may be required from time to time.
• Research and identify grant or other funding opportunities which may benefit the clients of ILS.
• Timely prepare and submit and/or review all required applications, legal documents and other applicable forms on behalf of clients of ILS.
• Interview and screen potential clients of ILS to assess their eligibility for family-based immigration benefits and, if such benefits are available, represent them before applicable Federal agencies or court systems.
• Perform and/or direct thorough and accurate legal research of legal issues arising within the scope of the legal services provided by ILS.
• Represent clients of ILS in removal proceeding and other hearings before Immigration Courts as may be determined from time to time by the ILS Director in consultation with the Legal Services Senior Director.
• Facilitate and monitor regular case file reviews with ILS staff as may be required by agencies accrediting CCAOKC or as is otherwise generally required by best practices.
• Participate in monthly meetings of the CCAOKC Department Directors and serve on such interdisciplinary teams or committees of CCAOKC, as appropriate and as approved by the Legal Services Senior Director.
• Subject to the approval of the Legal Services Senior Director and as otherwise appropriate, participate in professional associations relating to the services offered by ILS and coordinate and collaborate with other organizations relevant to the work performed by ILS.
• Perform such other duties and responsibilities as assigned by the Legal Services Senior Director.

Responsibilities

• This position may supervise accredited representatives, legal assistants, and office staff.

Minimum Qualifications for Consideration

• Juris Doctorate degree.
• Admitted to and licensed by the state bar of Oklahoma or of another state(s), which license must be maintained in good standing at all times.
• Accreditation as a Department of Justice Representative for no less than 5 years in good standing at all times.
• A minimum of (5) years of experience in providing family-based immigration legal services under the INA and related statutes, rules and regulations.
• No less than (3) years of experience in supervision, management, or coordination of professional and/or clerical staff involved in the providing of legal services under the INA and related statutes, rules and regulations.

Knowledge, skills and abilities

• Strong verbal and written communication, listening, and presentation skills.
• Strong flexible interpersonal skills required to interact effectively with employees and managers at all levels in the organization.
• Excellent organizational skills required to ensure that multiple tasks receive adequate and timely attention.
• Ability to supervise a diverse group of employees.
• Demonstrated conflict resolution skills.
• Strong legal analysis skills.
• Ability to adjust communication style to handle effectively diverse situations.
• Strong attention to detail and good problem-solving skills.
• Working knowledge of and ability to utilize the Internet, Westlaw, client program software, and Microsoft Office as needed to perform functions of the position.
• Able to function autonomously and be proactive.
• PC literate and proficient.
• Good organizational and time management skills.

Physical Requirements

This is sedentary work that requires the following physical activities:

• Sitting for long periods of time, walking, finger dexterity, feeling, repetitive motions, talking, hearing, and visual acuity.
• Occasional lifting (up to 10 pounds of computer equipment or paper supplies).
• May be required to travel by car or plane to business events or other company locations. Travel may require prolonged sitting or standing.
• Accommodation may be made for some of these physical demands for otherwise qualified individuals who require and request such accommodation.

Work Conditions

• Normal office environment.
• May be subjected to fast-paced decision making, crisis situations.

Salary

• starting at $80,000 per year

Benefits

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Parental leave
• Vision insurance

Schedule

• 8 hour shift
• Monday to Friday

NOTE: The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by an employee in this position. These statements are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of employees in this position.

Nothing in this job description restricts management’s right to assign or reassign job duties as required. This job description is not to be construed as a guaranteed contract of employment for a definite period of time.

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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