The Managing Attorney is responsible for supervising legal staff and ensuring provision of high-quality legal services for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) beneficiaries, as well as community education & outreach activities related to DACA. The Managing Attorney oversees intake for individuals seeking DACA-related services and general immigration consultation, and the provision of legal services at various offsite locations. The Managing Attorney is responsible for representing the organization publicly, including support of CARECEN policy advocacy efforts.
Summary of Duties:
Supervise attorneys, Accredited Representatives, legal assistants, intake/reception and support staff;
Monitor caseload of legal staff
Plan and conduct legal case review and trainings
Monitor professional development of staff, suggest and assign additional training when appropriate
Conduct written and in-person performance evaluation for staff, including annual reviews and any necessary performance improvement planning and disciplinary action for team members
Recruit, hire and evaluate team staff
Program Oversight:
Monitor service deliverables on an ongoing basis; ensure that staff provide necessary data and documentation for reporting purposes; prepare and submit grant reports to various funders;
Develop team/project budget. Identify team-specific costs, community needs and challenges. Anticipate external changes that may impact team/program work, including changes in law and expanding or contracting funding opportunities, among others;
Using CARECEN legal policies & procedures as framework, develop uniform criteria for intake, case acceptance, case termination and conflict of interest policies;
Ensure that all team staff utilize case management software effectively & uniformly.
Provide individual consultations, prepare cases, and represent applicants before DHS in various matters; represent a limited number of individuals in Immigration Court and on appeal;
Conduct presentations, community education activities and respond to media requests on DACA and other immigration issues;
Participate in policy advocacy on immigration issues relevant to CARECEN’s mission;
Develop and maintain relationships with local CBOs, law schools, foundations, government and other organizations;
Participate in grant writing, including planning of grant proposals, drafting and reviewing drafts by development staff, conducting primary grant writing duties when necessary;
Facilitate meetings, including department-wide meetings when Legal Director is unavailable;
Other duties as assigned by Legal Director.
Law degree and active admission to the bar of any state (California preferred);
Excellent legal skills and broad knowledge of immigration law, including 5 years of substantive experience;
Demonstrated commitment to mission and goals of CARECEN;
Excellent written and oral communication skills;
Commitment to working in a diverse professional environment;
Ability to develop and implement innovative models of service delivery with limited resources and leverage other community resources
Ability to effectively work, communicate, and build rapport with diverse groups of individuals, including representatives of government, foundations, English/Spanish media, and other grassroots organizations.
Fluency in spoken and written Spanish;
Strong organizational skills and ability to work independently
Must have a car and driver license, and must be willing to conduct community education and workshops around Los Angeles. The position will involve some evening and weekend work.
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
1-2 years of experience in employee supervision and management is strongly preferred
1-2 years of experience in administration such as grant management, project management, collaboration with other nonprofits, fundraising, or handling human resources issues.
Proven work ethic demonstrating reliability and dependability
Strong time management skills (effectively manage multiple deadlines and adapt to change within a fast-paced environment)
NOTES:
Additional Salary Information: Competitive salary for nonprofit sector, commensurate with experience and qualifications
About CARECEN - Central American Resource Center of California
CARECEN was founded in 1983 by Salvadoran refugees and other human rights activists who worked to secure legal status for the thousands of Central Americans fleeing civil war. Today, CARECEN serves immigrants from around the world. Our mission is to empower Central Americans and all immigrants by defending human and civil rights, working for social and economic justice and promoting cultural diversity.
The CARECEN Legal Department provides direct legal representation to thousands of clients each year seeking family-based immigration assistance, citizenship, asylum, Special Immigrant Juvenile Status, VAWA, T and U visas, Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, Temporary Protected Status, and NACARA. CARECEN provides representation in affirmative applications, as well as representation in immigration court and on appeal. We provide legal services through our permanent offices in central Los Angeles, the San Fernando Valley, and the Inland Empire. We also provide offsite services on a weekly basis at over twenty locations throughout Southern California.
