Description:
Program & Position SummaryThe Center for Immigration Legal & Support Services (CILSS) advances racial, gender, and economic equity through high quality, multi-year legal representation and focused case management. With CILSS' culturally sensitive support, first and future generations are able to break through systemic barriers, achieve their aspirations, and become full participants in the social, civic, and economic fabric of our community.?
The Immigration Staff Attorney will provide robust direct legal representation to low-income individuals and families in the Bay Area in affirmative and defensive immigration matters. The services include, among others, giving general consultations representing clients before EOIR, USCIS, and California Superior Courts, networking with other community-based legal service providers in the area in advocacy efforts, and administrative duties, including data entry, client intakes, fee reconciliation, and answering phones. This position is based in San Francisco but serves clients from all over the Bay Area and may require travel between the San Francisco or San Mateo offices.
Essential Duties & Responsibilities:
Responsible for individual caseload, providing affirmative and defensive immigration services, with a primary focus on representing unaccompanied minors.
- After determining that a client is entitled to any given immigration benefit, prepares applications or petitions with supporting evidence and represents clients before USCIS and EOIR.
- Provide support as needed to other attorneys, accredited representatives, legal assistants, and volunteers on substantive legal matters and Participate in the development of case selection criteria.
- Provides legal representation to low-income migrant children in guardianship, parentage, and custody proceedings in California Superior Courts, as well as SIJS and asylum applications before the San Francisco Immigration Court, or before USCIS.
- Works closely with partner community-based organizations and in-house social services to ensure that clients receive holistic service addressing their many needs beyond legal representation.
- Maintains proper client files and documentary evidence required to prove eligibility for legal benefits and equities under all applicable law. Maintains proper case management notes in the case management platform.
- Participates in community events performing different tasks including but not limited to: consultation, supervision, and final case review.
- Uses cultural sensitivity and awareness to develop appropriate and effective strategies to address the needs and advance the rights of vulnerable communities.
- As opportunities arise, prepares and gives presentations on immigration legal benefits and facilitates workshops both at the Program's permanent site, at the parishes within the Archdiocese of San Francisco and in other community event organized by our Agency, Latin-American consulates and other organizations.
- Other duties as assigned.
- Nothing in this job description restricts management's right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.
Qualifications:
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Education & Experience:
- Law degree; admitted and in good standing with the California State Bar required.
- 1–3 year of experience providing direct legal immigration services and working knowledge of immigration law, policies, and procedures.
- SIJS related work experience and experience with complex immigation cases strongly preferred.
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:
- Bilingual (English/Spanish) required.
- Capacity to work under pressure with minimal supervision.
- Capacity to discuss sensitive and traumatic topics with youth and other vulnerable populations.
- Computer proficiency (Immigration Software preferred, Word, PowerPoint, E-mail, Internet)
- Excellent listening, communication, facilitation and influencing skills.
- Demonstrated ability to supervise legal support staff.
- Demonstrated planning, presentation and organizational skills.
- Demonstrated creativity and high energy.
- Ability to market our programs, make sound judgments and maintain perspective.
- Collaborative and able to develop, support and maintain positive relationships.
- Demonstrates the necessary attitudes, knowledge and skills to deliver culturally competent services and work effectively in cross-cultural situations.
