Associate Director, Legal Services

Responsibilities

Responsibilities

• Supervise and mentor a team consisting of Technical Assistance Staff Attorneys and a Program Officer, ensuring high performance, professional development, and alignment with departmental priorities.
• Oversee the development and delivery of centralized technical assistance related to legal program administration, including case management practices, supervision models, and operational systems. Ensure the TA team provides consistent TA to field offices on foundational case practice, supervision models, and operational systems.
• Oversee the creation and maintenance of training curricula, resource libraries, and professional development opportunities for legal staff nationwide.
• Review and refine tools and guidance documents used by legal staff, ensuring quality, clarity, and alignment with evolving law and policy.
• Integrate rapid‑response guidance and tools developed by the Staff Attorney into national protocols and training plans; align emerging‑issue advisories with established standards to avoid duplication or conflict.
• Partner with the Director of Asylum and Legal Services to develop strategic goals, annual plans, and long‑term initiatives for the Legal Department.
• Lead the development, implementation, and maintenance of national standards, policies, and protocols for legal services across the CWS network. Ensure national consistency in the application of best practices and protocols.
• Work closely and collaboratively with local legal teams to support change management activities as they relate to new policy and protocols.
• Oversee compliance monitoring efforts, including systems managed by the Program Officer, to ensure adherence to internal policies, funder requirements, ethical obligations, and regulatory frameworks.
• Coordinate with leadership to respond to audits, evaluations, and quality assurance reviews, ensuring timely follow‑up and systems improvements.
• Develop and manage team budget with support from the Director.
• Support national legal initiatives that require coordinated operational and logistical planning, including rapid‑response deployments, workshops, and clinics.
• Develop and monitor fee‑for‑service strategies and other innovative program models
• Supervise planning and execution of the annual Legal Department conference and other cross‑departmental events.
• Represent the Legal Department in internal and external working groups, partnerships, and national coalitions as delegated by department leadership.
• Support communications, data reporting, and grant‑related needs that require legal expertise or alignment with department standards.

Qualifications

Education:

Bachelor’s degree with at least 7 years serving as a DOJ Accredited Representative required; Juris Doctor (JD) degree with specialization in immigration law with admission to any state bar preferred.

Experience:

• Minimum of 7 years previous work experience providing legal services for refugees, asylees, and immigrant entrants.
• Minimum of 2 years previous experience in a direct supervisory role managing others.
• Demonstrated ability to produce high-quality and accurate documents, data reports, and other work product.
• Strong organizational and systems thinking skills, with demonstrated experience managing multiple projects simultaneously.
• Excellent organizational and time management skills, and able to timely manage multiple projects at one time.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English.
• Excellent analytical skills and attention to detail.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with a high degree of autonomy and independence.
• Strong interpersonal and diplomacy skills, including the ability to engage professionally with a range of partners.
• Must be willing to travel domestically for monitoring visits, site visits, and program meetings.
• Ability to work in a multi-cultural environment required.
• Ability to work with several different teams remotely.
• Ability to work on several different programs at the same time, as well as flexibility to manage competing priorities.

Skills:

Ability to speak a second language is ideal.

CWS offers a competitive benefits package that includes:

• 403 (b) Retirement Plan

• Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance

• Generous Paid Time Off (18 Paid Days Off; 24 Days after 2 Years)

• 14 Official Holidays

• 12 Sick Days Off (Accrued monthly)

• Life Insurance and AD&D

• Long Term and Short-Term Disability

• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

• Health Savings Account

• Flexible Spending Accounts

Ability to speak a second language is ideal.