Job DescriptionJob DescriptionSalary: $87,214.40 - $115,628.25 Annually DOE
The Organization:
The Florence Project was founded in 1989 to respond to a representation crisis for indigent non-citizens detained at the rural Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Detention Center in Florence, Arizona. Through our programs today, we provide services to thousands of adults, youth, and children detained in Eloy, Florence, Phoenix, and Tucson, Arizona on any given day. In 2001, the Florence Project implemented our Integrated Social Services Program, one of the first of its kind in this field. The Florence Project provides high quality legal and social services and supports initiatives for national changes in immigration law and policy.
Primary Purpose of the Job:
The position involvessupervision and oversight ofrepresentationwork, and direct representation of individuals detained in the Florence and Eloydetention centers, and in some cases continuing representation once released in Arizona.The position also involvesthe oversight and supervision ofpro selegalassistanceto detained individuals, including Know Your Rights presentations,individual orientation and limited representation, and the direct provision of those services as needed.
The Managing Attorney will supervise the legaland administrativework ofstaffin the projects mentioned below, mentor legalstaff,andoversee the coordination andprovision ofservices.The Managing Attorney will also collaborateon training and professional development initiatives forstaff andparticipatewith program development and outreach activities, in conjunction withother managers,theAdult Program Manager,Associate Program Managerand/orother membersof the Leadership Team. This position reports to theAdultProgram Manager ortheAssociate Program Manager.
TheAdult Programhandlesa variety of forms of relief from deportation and bond hearings,providespro se assistance as needed,andrepresentsindividuals withcutting edgelegal claims.Additionally, team members provide direct representation to both detained and released individuals in immigration removal proceedings with serious mental health conditions who have been found incompetent torepresentthemselves.
Essential Duties & Responsibilities:
Supervisory Leadership Responsibilities:
Supervise thelegal and administrativestaffas assigned.This includes overseeing andbeing responsible forthe quality of services providedincluding pro se and representation services, conducting case reviews with supervised staff as needed, and providing training, mentorship, and support to thestaff. The Managing Attorney will work closely with the Program Managerand/or Associate Program Manager, providing regular updateson supervision,oversight, and program performance.Lead the implementation of any changes to the scope of legal services provided or the model for delivering those services.Oversee case review meetings with legal staff and interns, hirenew staff, coordinate orientation for new hires in conjunction with other departments, and plantrainingfor legal staff.Participate in program development withrelevant managers and/or members of the Leadership Team, including participating instrategic planning, as needed.Supervise andmaintainaccurateandtimelydata and reports that reflect the work completed by the team.Oversee collection of data by thestaff for various grants and contracts, complete quarterly reporting for funders, andparticipatein network calls, meetings, andtrainings.Attract,retain, lead, coach and develop an effective, diverseteam,and provide a collegial, calm, and collaborative work environment that isclient-centered.Develop,monitor, and evaluate staff goals, caseloads, and work plans.Coach, train, mentor, and support thestaff to ensure they have the necessary tools and resources needed tooptimizeperformance and achieve established program goals and that effective communication exists among the staff and the team, includingestablishingandmaintainingregular team meetings.Responsible for working in collaboration with ProgramManager, Associate Program Manager, and the Office of People and Cultureregardinghiring, orientation, employee relations, performancemanagement,and evaluation of staff.Oversee criteria and procedures for accepting, opening,managing,and closing case files; formulate legal strategies for cases and designate protocols for the allocation of limited resources.Develop and implement quality assurance protocols; ensure quality of services provided toall stakeholders.Work withProgram Manager,Associate Program Manager,and other relevantstaffto ensure that FIRRPs legal practiceis complyingand good standing with all relevant bodies and agencies.
Casework
On a limited basis, provide direct representationorpro seassistanceto detained individuals in Florence and Eloy and to some released clients. Direct representation willinclude second chairing supervised attorneys in a wide variety of deportation defense cases.Well-versed, and remain current in immigration law, and on implications of criminal and civil law as it applies to the representation of immigrants and refugees.Establish and implement policies and proceduresforthose interactions, as needed.Ensure all staffcomplywiththe requiredethical standards, preserve client confidentiality, and avoid conflicts of interest.
Advocacy
Develop andmaintaincooperative relationships with local and national community partners, including but not limited to private immigration attorneys, public officials, law enforcement officials, and other nonprofits that provide services to the immigrant population.Develop andmaintainprofessional relationships with the Immigration Court (EOIR) and the U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services (USCIS), government and social service organizations, and community organizations.Attend occasional meetingswith officials and stakeholders as needed.Communicate with theProgram Manager, Associate Program Manager,and Advocacy program aboutpossible advocacyinitiatives and legaltrainingfor the community.Support Florence Project outreach and development activities as needed.
Other Duties & Responsibilities:
Participate in organizational fundraising and outreach efforts as requested.Participate in developing and implementing special projects or presentations.Other administrativeduties,as necessary.
MinimumRequirements:
J.D. andlicensed to practice law in any state orjurisdiction.Experience supervising staff or interns anddemonstratedability to inspire confidence in others and play a supportive role.Be a proactive and engaged supervisor without micromanaging and be a clear and thoughtful decision maker.In lieu of supervisory experience, leadership potential and excellent communication and interpersonal skills, as well as ability to learn and execute a variety of job requirements with the capacity to be trained to be an effective manager may be considered.Demonstratecommitment to advocating for indigent immigrant clients in a respectful and empowering way.Demonstrateazealoussupportforthe Florence Projects mission.Mustbe passionateabout due process for all and enjoy working with people with complex and diverse criminal records and social histories.Strong litigation experience and/or oral advocacy skills.Strong legal research.Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work with diverse populations.Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing.Highly organized,innovativethinker, and work in high-volume settings with limited resources.Excellent problem solving,research,and analytical skills.Effectively manage multiple projects and meet deadlines.Demonstrate to be a hardworking, flexible, respectful team player that can work effectively in a collaborative, innovative, andclient-centeredwork environment.Ability to work independently, be adaptable and reliable in the face of conflict, pressure,crisis,or changing priorities.Exhibit high ethical standards and the ability tomaintainconfidentiality.Must be able to pass federal and state background checks.Fluency or advancedproficiencyin Spanishrequired.Travel isrequiredfor this position.Must have a valid drivers license and reliable transportation.Proven computer skills. Advanced understanding of basic office applications.
Preferred Requirements:
2+ years of minimum experience providing direct representation toimmigrants'removal proceedings, and extensive knowledge of immigration law, specifically deportation defense, asylum, and criminal-immigration law issues is strongly preferred.Prior advocacy work in immigrant rights, human rights, LGBTQ rights, criminal justice, or experience working with trauma survivors is a plus.Experience with databases and data tracking (i.e., Legal Server) is a plus.
Working Conditions/Physical Demands:
Operatein a professional office environment and requires the ability to sit forlong periodsof time with intermittent walking, standing, bending, squatting,pulling,and pushing.Ability to use standard office equipment such as scanners, computers, keyboards, phones, shredders, photocopiers, and filing cabinets.Requires the ability tolift upto ten pounds - accommodations may be available.Travel regularly between officeslocatedin Tucson,
Phoenix and Florence, and secondary work locations
Frequent time in detention facilities and immigration courtslocatedin Florence and Eloy.Effective September 1, 2021, FIRRP has implemented a mandatory COVID-19 vaccine policy. Tocomply withthis policy, active employees must be fully vaccinated by October 15, 2021. Employees seeking an exemption due to a medical condition orsincerely heldreligious belief should contact our Human Resources Department athumanresources@firrp.org.
Salary & Benefits:
This is a full-time position. Salary is competitive for our field and geographical area. Salaries will be calculated based on relevant experience and our established comprehensive wage scale: $87,214.40 - $115,628.25 Annually DOE.
We strive to create and uphold a positive, supportive, and inclusive work environment for all staff. We offer excellent benefits, including:
Medical plans including health, dental, vision coverage, subject to plan terms
Short Term Disability
Eligibility for group benefits such as voluntary life insurance, subject to applicable waiting periods
Retirement plan, subject to plan terms
Paid Time Off earned on a biweekly accrual basis- Twenty-five (25) Days of Vacation Time, annually
Five (5) Days of Medical/Sick Time, annually
One (1) Day of Personal Time, monthly
Eight (8) Week Paid Sabbatical, after three years of employment
Bereavement leave.
Fifteen (15) Organization-paid holidays, all observed
Eligible for Parental Leave which includes Twelve (13) paid weeks
Mileage reimbursement for travel between offices and places of work.
Relocation Assistance for out of state new hires available for some positions.
Application Process:
This is an immediate opening. Salary is commensurate with experience. The position will remain open until we receive enough qualified applicants. To apply, please submit a cover letter detailing your interest in the position as well as your resume, three professional references. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, and candidates are encouraged to apply early. Only those selected for an interview will be contacted. The Florence Project values diversity in the workplace and strongly encourages applications from people of color, LGBTQ individuals, persons with disabilities, and members of underrepresented communities.
At FIRRP, we recognize that people come with a wealth of experience and talent beyond just the requirements of a job. If your experience is close to what you see listed in our current job opportunities, please still consider applying. Diversity of experience and skills combined with passion is a key to innovation and excellence, which is very much valued at FIRRP. Therefore, we encourage people from all backgrounds to apply to our positions. Please let us know if you require accommodations during the interview process.
This job announcement is for informational purposes only and is subject to change and modification without notice. This job announcement includes a non-exhaustive list of responsibilities,qualificationsand requirements of the position, but does not necessarily include all the job functions of the position.
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