Staff Attorney - Bakersfield, CA

UFW FOUNDATION JOB POST

TITLE:

Staff Attorney

FLSA STATUS:

Exempt (Salary)

LOCATION:

Bakersfield, CA

HIRING RANGE:

$69,180.00 - $83,500.00 annually

About UFW Foundation: For 18 years, the UFW Foundation has mobilized farm workers and their organizations across the country to advocate for more equitable policies, such as immigration reform, pesticide protections, heat standards, hazard pay and other worker protections. We engage constituents in systemic change to break the cycle of poverty while also providing critical services. In fact, the UFW Foundation is the largest federally accredited immigration legal service provider in the state of California. The organization has staff in California, Arizona, Georgia, Illinois, and Michigan.

SUMMARY: The Staff Attorney position will (1) provide affirmative immigration relief services; (2) provide representation of clients in deportation proceedings; (3) outreach at assigned community college campuses; and (4) work closely with other UFW Foundation programs to drive an organizing culture which influences systemic change. The Staff Attorney will report to a Directing Attorney.

The UFW Foundation seeks an individual with law practice experience or experience working with immigrant communities that can help the organization, in collaboration with the UFW Foundation’s various programs and departments, as well as its partners, to develop a service delivery model that will maximize the limited resources in rural communities and leverage relationships from urban centers.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: (This is not an exhaustive list)

• Assess immigration relief needs of clients (community members, children, as well as community college students, staff, and faculty) and determine eligibility for available immigration benefits, including but not limited to: Naturalization, DACA renewal, Employment Authorization, Family-Based Petitions, Adjustment of Status, renewal of permanent resident card, Special Immigrant Juvenile Status, VAWA, U and T visas, Temporary Protected Status, Asylum, and Removal Defense.
• Assist at UFW Foundation led naturalization and DACA renewal group processing events.
• Assist with community legal education presentations and outreach activities, such as Know Your Rights presentations and other affirmative immigration relief information sessions.
• Attend all “triage” meetings as scheduled to screen for potential clients.
• Conduct intake interviews of individuals in immigration detention or non-detained individuals, families and children before the immigration court.
• Provide direct representation and assistance of detained and non-detained individuals in removal proceedings, including but not limited to bond hearings, and full removal defense representation.
• Provide direct representation to unaccompanied minors before the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services, Executive Office of Immigration Review, and in California state court child welfare proceedings (primarily guardianship and custody proceedings).
• Review criminal dispositions and analyze immigration consequences.
• Provide zealous representation, conduct legal research, formulate legal strategy, conduct client interviews, appear before state and/or immigration courts or agencies, draft and file court pleadings and applications for relief.
• Give clients a clear analysis on their cases, relief options and next steps.
• Identify trends in Department of Homeland Services practices and community needs that will help inform advocacy efforts.
• Prepare and submit applications, legal briefs, and supporting documentation for immigration relief, including but not limited to: naturalization, DACA renewal, employment authorization, family-based petitions, adjustment of status, and renewal of permanent resident card, asylum, withholding, relief under the Convention Against Torture, U visa, VAWA, adjustment of status with applicable waivers, Special Immigrant Juvenile Visas and other applications for relief from removal.
• Provide trainings and technical assistance to UFW Foundation staff, interns, fellows, volunteers and partner organizations.
• Recruitment and coordination of pro bono and low bono attorney support.
• Regular travel to necessary court hearings, community colleges (as assigned), UFW Foundation service centers and trainings.
• Support UFW Foundation Community Advancement Services department application workshops and other events, as assigned.
• Support UFW Foundation’s fundraising goals.
• Work closely with Directing Attorneys to maximize case output.
• Work diligently to file cases and maintain accurate, timely, and detailed case data in our case management system.
• Other tasks as needed.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• May involve the coordination and supervision of volunteers, interns, and/or fellows.
• Training and supervising of service providers, legal assistants, and others as they prepare for DOJ accreditation or renewal.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

The ideal candidate for this position must have a high level of professionalism and organization. The candidate must demonstrate competency in the following areas:

• Licensed attorney in good standing.
• Experience practicing immigration law, including representation of clients seeking humanitarian relief.
• Experience working with vulnerable populations.
• Demonstrated cultural competence and cross-cultural communication skills.
• Ability to work both independently and under supervision.
• Ability to work flexible hours, including some evenings and weekends.
• Analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Bilingual (English and Spanish or English and indigenous language or English and other language as needed to meet communities' needs).
• Collaboration. Ability to work with teammates in a professional and solutions-oriented manner.
• Dedication to Mission. A genuine interest in immigrant, farm worker rights/workers’ rights.
• Demonstrated ability to work with a diverse group of people in various settings.
• Detail oriented and strong writing and oral skills.
• Excellent interpersonal communication skills and ability to multitask in a fast-paced environment.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills in both Spanish and English.
• Problem solving/analysis and results driven.
• Si Se Puede® (It Can Be Done) Attitude. The embodiment of a personal spirit that promotes confidence, courage, and risk-taking.

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 accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Language Skills: Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations. Ability to write legal briefs, reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals. Requires ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, clients, customers, and the general public.
• Mathematical Skills: Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as discounts, interest, commissions, proportions, percentages, area, circumference, and volume. Ability to apply concepts of basic algebra and geometry.
• Reasoning Ability: Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.

PREFERRED REQUIREMENTS AND/OR QUALIFICATIONS:

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE:

• Will also consider individuals who fall into one of the following categories:
  1. Juris Doctor, pending bar results

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS:

COMPENSATION:

The annual salary pay range for this position is $69,180.00 to $83,500.00, and benefits include:

• Accruals of 2, 3, and 4 vacation weeks per year depending on tenure
• 16 paid holidays (includes a personal day)
• 1 mental health day per calendar year
• Paid sick days
• Health, dental, and vision benefits
• Life insurance
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Employee Assistance Program for support with personal and work-related challenges
• 403(b) retirement plan with 2% employer match (providing employee meets criteria)
• 401(k) retirement plan with no employer match (providing employee meets criteria) *
• Employer-sponsored pension plan*
• Supplemental insurance (within 30 days of hire date)*
• Professional development opportunities and access to thousands of courses
• 20% discount for immigration services through the UFW Foundation
• Many discounts, such as entertainment discounts for movie theaters, theme parks, etc. via ADP Lifemart, TicketsatWork, and UnionPlus

*Note: Some of the benefits listed above are not available to temporary employees. Eligibility and access to benefits may vary based on employment status and other factors.

ADDITIONAL AND/OR SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS AND/OR QUALIFICATIONS

COVID-19 Vaccination Requirement – The UFW Foundation is committed to ensuring the health and safety of our community, employees, and program participants. While vaccinations and boosters are not currently mandatory, we strongly recommend their use as a crucial measure in reducing the transmission of COVID-19. It is imperative to emphasize that if a pandemic situation arises that necessitates vaccines and/or boosters, we will reinstate this requirement to protect everyone effectively. Vaccinations have proven to be effective in preventing the spread of the virus and reducing severe illness. By choosing to get vaccinated, individuals contribute to the collective effort in mitigating the impact of the pandemic and creating a safer environment for all. We will continually monitor the evolving situation and follow the guidance of health authorities.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER:

The UFW Foundation is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We believe a strong commitment to equal employment opportunity is more than a legal and moral obligation – it is also a sound business practice to realize the potential of every individual. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive work environment for all! In order to provide equal employment and advancement opportunity to all individuals, employment decisions at the UFW Foundation will be based on merit, qualifications, and abilities. Except where required or permitted by law, employment practices will not be influenced or affected by an applicant’s or employee’s race, color, religion, sex/gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, marital status, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, ancestry, disability, genetic information, age, or any characteristic protected by law.

We encourage all qualified applicants to apply for a position fighting for farm worker and immigrant communities! The UFW Foundation believes in second chances. As an organization, we will rely on individualized assessments in the hiring of those with past criminal convictions. The UFW Foundation will make reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with qualified disabilities under the Americans with Disabilities Act unless doing so would result in an undue hardship. Persons of color, gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people, persons with disabilities, persons who have lived in poverty, formerly incarcerated, persons 40 years old or older, and people fluent in more than one language are strongly encouraged to apply for open positions with the UFW Foundation.

This policy governs all aspects of employment, including selection, job assignment, compensation, counseling, discipline, termination, access to benefits and training. Our commitment to equal opportunity employment applies to all persons involved in our operations and prohibits unlawful discrimination by any employee, including supervisors and co-workers.