Summary Description:

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.

Primary 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

• 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
• Seven (7) to ten (10) years of immigration law practice, advocacy, and/or policy experience
• Three (3) to Five (5) years of management, administration, and supervisory experience
• Three years of project management experience preferred.
• 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
• Knowledge and understanding of Catholic social teaching on immigration preferred
• Experience building and maintaining relationships with government agencies, non-profit organizations, coalitions, and other community groups preferred.
• 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
• As this position supports advocacy done for CLINIC affiliates who are legal service providers, it important that the candidate have knowledge and experiential expertise, as well as a proven track record working on immigration issues.

Application:

Open until filled.

Work Environment:

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

Equal Employment Opportunity and Diversity Commitment:

CLINIC considers all applicants for employment without regard to race, color, ancestry, national origin, sex, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, marital status, family responsibilities, religion, age, disability, service in the military, or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state, or local law. CLINIC also provides “reasonable accommodations” to qualified individuals with disabilities, in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and applicable state and local laws. All interested individuals, regardless of background, are encouraged to apply.

We embrace and encourage our employees’ differences in race, color, ancestry, national origin, sex, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, and other characteristics that make our employees unique.

Summary

The Senior Immigration Attorney provides legal advice and representation to SCN clients regarding migration, citizenship and business immigration issues, political asylum, and visas, including representation of clients in immigration proceedings in U.S. Immigration Courts.

Responsibilities

• Develops and implements preliminary case strategy in terms of immigration law and procedure in consultation with supervisor.
• Screening and processing clients to determine eligibility for immigration case processing.
• Screening, preparing, and filing i-485, n-400, n-600, i-589, i-131, and other immigration forms.
• Makes assessment of income eligibility and makes appropriate referrals for those individuals not eligible for Organization services.
• Work closely with SCN clients, staff and volunteers to support the immigration department.
• Prepares eligible cases for hearing, drafting legal papers, engaging in negotiation, presenting evidence, etc. in accord with the Code of Professional Responsibility for the legal profession.
• In accordance with the ethical standards required of the legal profession, the Code of Professional Responsibility, preserves client confidentiality, and accounts for client monies and avoids conflict of interest.
• Carries a volume of work as required by the department while maintaining highly organized case files in the organization’s data systems including Salesforce.
• Has in-depth knowledge of legal and other resources.
• Provides a wide range of court advocacy services. 
• Responds accurately and timely to clients, directors, and officials.
• Interacts with various outside entities, including but not limited to clients, governmental agencies, and officials, courts, and other law firms.
• Provides technical assistance and guidance to legal interns, pro-bono volunteer attorneys, and paralegal staff.
• Supervises attorneys in the matter of legal procedures as it relates SCN’s immigration clinic
• Collaborates with the wider immigration team and coalitions to address relevant legal issues.
• Travels to court when required to represent clients.
• Remains current on immigration law, policies, and procedures.
• Remains current on implications of criminal and civil law as it applies to the representation of immigrants and refugees.
• Participates in training on immigration procedures as assigned by the supervisor.
• Identifies trends and recurring legal and social concerns.
• Recommends strategies for solutions and other needed advocacy.
• Adheres to professional standards as outlined by governmental bodies, (and/or other appropriate professional associations), private funding sources, organization plans/policies and departmental guidelines.
• Participates in periodic evaluative reviews and/or in-house and external staff training to ensure understanding and continues to adhere to such standards.
• Initiates requests for assistance or guidance from supervisor to address new issues or complex concepts affecting adherence to professional standards.
• Prepares outwards-facing text materials and virtual/in-person presentations on know-your-rights and other immigration-legal topics of interest to client base.
• Other duties may be assigned.

Qualifications

• Juris Doctorate degree from an ABA-approved law school.
• Licensed to practice law in the state of IL.
• Understanding of Middle Eastern culture / Arabic speaking or bilingual is a plus.
• Strong interpersonal with the demonstrated ability to engage with client base.
• Commitment to social justice and basic understanding of issues affecting refugees.
• Knowledge of Salesforce, Google Products, Microsoft Office preferred.
• Inputs necessary data on a weekly basis at a minimum.
• Meets weekly with Director of Immigration to discuss team issues and ensure data integrity.

Details

• Full-time
• Application Deadline: July 25, 2022
• Ideal Start Date: September 1, 2022
• Salary: $80,000-$90,000 per year

Benefits

• Hybrid work environment
• Half-day Fridays
• Health Insurance
• Retirement Benefits

This position is exempt from overtime.

Apply

Please submit your resume and cover letter explaining your qualifications for the position to maya@syriancommunitynetwork.org with the subject “Senior Immigration Attorney”. No phone calls or other inquiries please. Only applicants selected for an interview will be contacted.

Summary

HIAS Pennsylvania supports low-income immigrants of all backgrounds as they build new lives in our community. Through immigration legal services and an array of social services, we work to address their needs, defend their rights, and advocate for their equitable inclusion in American society.

HIAS Pennsylvania’s Immigrant Victim of Crime (IVOC) Program provides legal services to immigrant victims of violent crimes. The Legal Advocate will provide high quality legal services to victim immigrants eligible for U nonimmigrant visas, and other applicable forms of relief. Spanish language proficiency is required. The ideal candidate will also have a strong interest in working with immigrants of any age and background and experience serving victims of trauma or other vulnerable populations. Work is in office with the option to work remotely two days per week.

The Staff Attorney must exemplify Journey’s End’s core values in their work. These values include intercultural responsiveness, integrity, person-centered, empowerment, and exemplary service.

Responsibilities

Consultation and Direct Representation: provide immigration consultations and legal representation to immigrant victims of crime. The focus of the legal representation will include: U Nonimmigrant visa applications for immigrant victims, their relatives and other forms of immigration benefits available. The tasks involved include the following:

• Draft and file immigration forms, including requests for fee waivers, work permit renewals, U visa applications, adjustment of status applications, work permits;
• Communicate with clients to ensure timely and effective information sharing regarding upcoming appointments, deadlines, and other individual aspects of case;
• Immigration assistance including collecting necessary paperwork and documentation for special visa applications and completing and filing these applications;
• Collaborate with social service partner agency regarding social services needs and referrals;
• Individual advocacy with various stakeholders;
• Act as a liaison between the victim and the Police Department, the District Attorney’s office or other social service agencies;
• Provide support to the victim and advocate on behalf of the victim during interviews and subsequent contact with law enforcement agencies;
• Participate in PCCD, diversity and other appropriate trainings;
• Develop and maintain professional relationships with court, police, community groups, social service and agency employees;
• Translate written materials as needed;
• Advise victims of their eligibility to file for Victim Compensation Assistance Program claims and provide appropriate referrals;
• Offer (rare but occasional) home visiting for victims unable to come into the office.
• Provide public presentations to identify crime victims; and
• Additional assignments as required by the funder and/or the needs of the program.

Community Outreach and Education: participate in presentations to Immigrant communities in Philadelphia county on immigration issues and social programs affecting immigrant victims of crime, such as:

• Immigration assistance;
• Victims Compensation Assistance;
• The Criminal Justice Process;
• Victim Rights; and
• Legal and Social services available to victims.

Networking and Training of Community Partners: provide regular training on immigration matters to organizations serving immigrant victims of crime in Philadelphia County. Participate in existing collaborative networks serving immigrant victims of crime..

Administrative: engage in ongoing grant compliance activities, and daily client service data management; maintain clear and detailed records to facilitate reporting and case management.

Qualifications

The candidate should be passionate about HIAS Pennsylvania’s mission and roots and have a demonstrated ability to work with diverse collaborators and stakeholders. In addition, the candidate should possess:

• Bachelor’s Degree (strongly preferred) or equivalent combination of education and work experience required;
• LL.M graduates with a background in immigration law are encouraged to apply;
• Previously Accredited Representatives preferred; if not accredited, individuals are required to take 40 hours of training with the goal of becoming accredited (Applicants with more than six years of experience as Accredited Representatives will be considered at the higher salary range);
• Bi-lingual Spanish-English speaking skills (required);
• A minimum of one year’s experience with immigration legal services and/or combination of education and work experience with immigrant victims of crime (strongly preferred);
• Passion for working in a diverse community;
• Excellent organizational and time management skills;
• Ability to work independently/collaboratively;
• Excellent oral and written communication skills;
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and Excel applications and database management; and
• Must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 virus unless granted an exemption for medical or religious beliefs.

Salary:

• $40,500 to $46,500 (Entry level - commensurate with experience)
• $47,000 to $53,500 (Mid level - commensurate with experience)

Apply

Please send a cover letter and resume in PDF format to humanresources@hiaspa.org and make the title of the position the subject of your email. No phone calls please.. Please include job title and location in subject of email.

This is an exempt position. Employment package 403(b) employer contribution retirement account, and very generous paid holiday leave and vacation provisions. Diverse candidates are encouraged to apply.

HIAS Pennsylvania is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate against applicants or employees on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation or identity, national origin, age, disability, political affiliation or belief, or veteran status. It is our policy to provide reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities.

Compliance Statement: In the performance of their functions as detailed in the position description employees have an obligation to avoid ethical, legal, financial, and other conflicts of interest to ensure that their actions and outside activities do not conflict with their primary employment responsibilities at the agency. Employees are also expected to understand and be in compliance with applicable laws and agency policies.

Summary Description:

This position is responsible for assisting and supporting front desk operations and administration at the national and satellite offices. This position reports directly to the Office and Facilities Manager and will support CLINIC’s operational projects and day-to-day administration of our mission-drives services. While there are multiple administrative assistant positions at CLINIC, this position will work closely within the Office and Facilities team to ensure smooth operations. Below are buckets of work the Administrative Assistant will be responsible for fulfilling in general, but other specific projects may be assigned.

 

Primary Responsibilities:

GENERAL INQUIRIES

·       The Office and Facilities Manager and team is responsible for answering live telephone inquiries, forwarding incoming calls to the appropriate staff, and distributing voicemail messages from the main voicemail line as well as the main national email account.

·       General inquiries about referrals for direct legal services that arrive by phone or our national email account will be provided utilizing our directory of affiliates and the DOJ roster.

·       Friendly, and patient and professional demeanor is necessary for this role to be successful.

·       Knowledge of community-based organizations in Silver Spring, Maryland, and surrounding areas would be helpful to provide referrals for other types of direct service requests.

 

MAIL AND DELIVERIES

·       Assist the Office and Facilities Manager with collecting and distributing USPS mail following defined schedule and policy.

·       Assist with maintenance of the postage meter machine, which includes but is not limited to training staff on how to use the shared machine, maintaining the funds balance and completing the lease renewal. Ensure staff are following the outgoing mail procedures.

·       Receive and distribute other packages or deliveries from FedEx, UPS, and other delivery personnel in a timely manner. 

·       Ability to maintain a professional working relationship with the individual carriers and vendors to model positive behaviors for all.

·       Understand confidential and sensitive nature of legal mail to maintain professional code of conduct to assist with timely receipt and delivery of mail.

·       Assist with maintaining mail and delivery vendor supplies (labels, envelopes, boxes, etc.) for inventory purposes per department or staff person as well as monitoring national vendor accounts and user access.

 

SUPPLIES AND EQUIPMENT

·       Assist Office and Facilities Manager with maintaining office supplies and equipment inventory and replenishment process.

·       Utilize national vendor accounts for fulfilling requests for small office supplies for national and satellite offices.

·       Assist with maintenance of shared office supplies and equipment.

·       Assist with maintenance of communal office space like the national office kitchen, conference rooms, mail room and front-desk areas to ensure health and safety standards are preserved. This includes but is not limited to maintaining functional shared equipment and tools, working with vendor technicians when on-site, acquiring additional PPE and cleaning supplies and replenishing stock, coordinating on-site schedule and safety protocols during COVID remote work periods.

·       Administrative Assistant should have initiative to see when supplies and equipment need replenishment or maintenance and submit appropriate requests from vendor or technicians to keep in functional order and model this positive behavior for others.

 

ON-SITE DUTIES

·       This position is considered essential staff; therefore, they are expected to report on-site at the national office in-person at the frequency defined between them and their manager and in final contract.

·       During essential task days there are various tasks the Administrative Assistant would provide related to mail, delivery, supplies and equipment maintenance.

·       Prepare national office space for various in-person meetings and conferences and staff front desk area to welcome and assist guests, including but not limited to accepting food deliveries and set-up/clean-up of shared spaces.

·       Ensure CLINIC offices and leased spaces are secure, safe and clean to maintain successful partnerships with property managers and hosts.

 

OTHER ADMIN SUPPORT

·       Assist the Office and Facilities Manager with planning and implementing new office space design and staff office assignments, which includes communal workspaces like the conference room.

·       Research and identify vendors to assist CLINIC with recycling and/or donating furniture and other office assets for new workspace.

·       Assist the Office and Facilities Manager and other Operations team members with administrative support as needed and requested.

 

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

·       Associate's Degree or equivalent from a two-year college or technical school; OR at least 2 years of office related experience and/or training; OR equivalent combination of education and experience, preferably in a nonprofit organization

·       Strong and positive customer service skills and ability to maintain professional vendor relationships

·       Proficiency in Microsoft 365 products (Word, Excel, Outlook, PPT) and other office software

·       Highly detail-oriented, strong organizational and record-keeping skills

·       Strong communication skills both in writing and verbally

·       Ability to speak conversationally in another language (Spanish) is preferred but not required

·       Professional ethics to handle confidential and sensitive information

·       Self-starter and versatile individual

·       Ability to travel on a minimal basis to annual Convening, staff meetings, and to local stores for supplies replenishment, if delivery is not an option

 

Work Environment:

·       This position may require extended periods of standing, sitting, as well as some repetitive movements, bending and repetitive lifting of significant weight.

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

·       CLINIC’s national office is based in Silver Spring, Maryland, although we are working in temporarily hybrid setting.

 

Other: 

·       Demonstrate knowledge of and support agency mission, vision, value statements, policies and procedures, operating instructions, confidentiality standards, and the code of ethical behavior.

·       Willing to understand, respect and contribute to CLINIC’s vision, values, and beliefs.

·       Fulfill CLINIC’s expectations that all staff:

o   Serve with integrity

o   Develop innovative solutions

o   Promote learning – for themselves, for their colleagues, and for our network

o   Cultivate constructive relationships

o   Model stewardship

o   Maintain a positive attitude

o   Exhibit leadership skills and initiative

o   Communicate effectively

o   Own your work

o   Teamwork and cooperation with colleagues

o   Resolves conflicts effectively and makes effective decisions

 

Equal Employment Opportunity and Diversity Commitment

 

CLINIC considers all applicants for employment without regard to race, color, ancestry, national origin, sex, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, marital status, family responsibilities, religion, age, disability, service in the military, or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state, or local law. CLINIC also provides “reasonable accommodations” to qualified individuals with disabilities, in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and applicable state and local laws. All interested individuals, regardless of background, are encouraged to apply.  

We embrace and encourage our employees’ differences in race, color, ancestry, national origin, sex, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, and other characteristics that make our employees unique.

The responsibilities listed above are intended to describe the general nature and level of work to be performed by individuals assigned to this position. They are not intended to be a complete list of all responsibilities and duties required of staff members. The job description will be reviewed periodically as duties and responsibilities change with business necessity. Essential and non-essential job functions are subject to modification.