Description:
A Non-Profit Organization is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that extends hospitality to low-income immigrants by providing free and affordable immigration legal services, providing education to the public, and engaging in advocacy with immigrants. JFON NCTx is a regional affiliate of the Immigration Law and Justice Network.Responsibilities of the Position: The JFON NCTx Senior Staff Attorney in the Unaccompanied Children Program is an experienced removal defense attorney who provides direct immigration legal services to detained unaccompanied children. The Senior Staff Attorney trains and supervises other attorneys, support staff and volunteers who assist in providing those services. The Senior Staff Attorney also participates in legal intake, efforts to raise community awareness, serves as a source of legal education for immigrants, and engages in immigrant rights advocacy.
Major Duties:
- Oversee assigned caseload involving the legal needs of detained unaccompanied children
- Conduct legal screenings and consultations with JFON NCTx clients, including traveling to client locations to perform these services
- Provide legal counsel and advice to clients who attend JFON NCTx intake clinics and assist eligible clients in preparing immigration petitions and applications
- Provide representation for JFON NCTx clients in state, federal and immigration courts, including matters and proceedings before USCIS, Asylum Office, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, agencies within the Department of Homeland Security, and others as necessary
- Supervises other attorneys, support staff and volunteers who assist in providing these services
- Develop a work plan and service priorities for working with JFON NCTx clients
- Ensure client and program data is collected consistently, managed appropriately, and reported accurately in accordance with program reporting requirements set by JFON NCTx
- Actively co-facilitate and support grant deliverables, grant review, and grant closing meetings
- Contribute to the public education and advocacy efforts carried out by JFON NCTx
- Perform other duties as assigned
Qualifications:
- Must have a J.D. and be admitted to a state bar, preferably the state of Texas
- At least 3 years of experience providing direct representation in immigration court and/or before UCIS to asylum applicants and other immigrants seeking humanitarian relief
- Ability to simultaneously handle a high-volume caseload, with multiple deadlines, and other tasks
- Excellent oral and written communications skills, including research and analytical skills
- Strong commitment to immigrant rights is required
- Team player with the ability to work collaboratively in a multidisciplinary environment
- Working proficiency in both English and Spanish (preferred)
- Ability to work sensitively with people having diverse personalities, lifestyles, cultures and faiths
- Ability to travel frequently within JFON NCTx's geo zone to engage with clients and community partners