Program Manager

About Acacia Center for Justice:

The Acacia Center for Justice (“Acacia”) provides legal support and representation to immigrants facing deportation through the development, coordination, and management of national networks of legal services providers serving immigrants across the country. Acacia’s goals are twofold: to support immigrant legal services and defense networks to provide exceptional legal services to immigrants; and to advocate for the expansion of these programs and the infrastructure critical to guaranteeing immigrants access to justice, fairness, and freedom. Acacia ensures accountable, independent, zealous, and person-centered legal services and representation to protect the rights of all immigrants.

Job Summary:

The Program Manager (PM) will play a key role in the launch and management of a new, federally funded legal access program (LASRF Program) that provides legal orientation services and pro bono placement and mentoring to class members in Ms. L v. ICE, a lawsuit filed on behalf of families separated at the southwest border between January 2017 and January 2021. The PM will divide their time between the Program Operations and Learning & Development teams and will supervise approximately one to two staff members. The PM will provide program management support to the LASRF Program Director and provide oversight and support to subcontractors carrying out the legal access program for Ms. L class members. The PM will also be responsible for staying abreast of new policies from government partners, as well as changes in immigration law that may impact Ms. L Class Members. The PM will synthesize and summarize such new information in a comprehensible way to provide timely and accurate guidance to our legal service providers, help identify relevant topics for network-wide trainings, and assist in the developing and executing of such training programs.

Primary Duties/Responsibilities:

• Oversee program management for Legal Services Providers (LSP) subcontractor sites through supervision of the Senior Program Analyst, regular contact with LSPs, site visits of program sites across the country and other program related travel (up to bi-monthly travel of approximately 10% of time will be required), drafting and reviewing site visit evaluations, engaging in follow-up from the site visits, and working to stay rooted in the issues facing network providers.
• Regularly engage with government stakeholders, including the EOIR’s Office of Legal Access Programs (OLAP) and program subcontractors. Support communication with program stakeholders via the LSP listservs and other communication platforms, facilitate monthly check-in with LSPs, and provide program management troubleshooting for providers.
• Stay abreast of case law and policy relevant to Ms. L Class Members, through regular review of professional listservs, attendance at relevant conferences and virtual trainings, and collaboration with immigration advocacy organizations, and develop materials for legal service providers offering orientation, legal advice, and pro bono mentoring.
• Lead the delivery of technical assistance to subcontractors, including webinars, conference call facilitation, onsite training programs, and one-on-one consultations about best practices, and immigration law to =the providers. Prepare training materials and handouts, and coordinate lodging and meals for onsite trainings as needed. · Edit and review all program materials that are distributed by legal service providers to pro bono attorneys and pro se respondents in immigration proceedings. These materials may include videos, flyers, handouts, and guides and require familiarity with forms of immigration relief, immigration court procedures, and other Know-Your-Rights content. Provide substantive review of materials in Spanish, as necessary.
• Work collaboratively across units within Acacia to perform, assess, and strengthen program operations including with Acacia’s Budget and Resource Management (BRM), Legal, Research Evaluation and Data Analytics (REDA), Information and Technology Services (ITS), and Technical Compliance (TC) teams to ensure that Acacia complies with all contractual requirements and the program is effectively managed.
• With Acacia’s Research Evaluation and Data Analytics team, improve accuracy and timeliness of data reporting, respond to ad hoc data requests, and assist with program data collection, analysis, management, and reporting tasks. Review and maintain provider data entry.
• Work closely with the Budget Resource Management Team (BRM) to manage the program budget and ensure LSP compliance with budget requirements.
• Engage in strategic thinking regarding the protection of LASRF class members and the expansion of their legal rights.
• Complete other tasks as assigned, including those to support other units within Acacia or the development and launch of new programs within Acacia as needed.

Required Skills, Knowledge, Abilities:

• Spanish fluency, including the ability to substantively review and revise written materials in Spanish.
• A demonstrated interest in program administration and public policy.
• A desire to effectuate change in partnership with the government.
• Strong interpersonal and communications skills.
• Ability to work quickly and manage multiple projects effectively and efficiently.
• Ability to successfully balance travel responsibilities with office-based responsibilities.
• Ability to work collaboratively on a team and manage projects independently.
• Strong writing and research skills.
• Ability to work with people of diverse experiences and backgrounds.
• Demonstrated commitment to legal access and due process for people in deportation proceedings.
• Deep commitment to race equity and inclusion.

Preferred Skills, Knowledge, Abilities:

• ·Experience representing or working with Ms. L class members.
• Experience with "know your rights" and other community education initiatives.
• Experience managing staff with a person-centered and staff-empowering management.
• Willing to complete an NCIC background check.

Education and Experience:

• Law degree, or at least seven years' experience as an accredited representative strongly preferred.
• Experience at immigration legal services provider organization.
• At least six years of relevant immigration representation, government, or policy work experience.
• Experience managing staff with a person-centered and staff-empowering management preferred.
• Comparable work and educational experience will also be considered, particularly where the candidate has direct experience with the immigration legal system and has been personally impacted by it.

Compensation and Benefits:

Acacia has established an internal compensation philosophy that centers equity and pay transparency. The salary for this position is set at $118,200. The salary listed is just one component of Acacia’s total compensation package for employees. Supporting Acacia staff—both personally and professionally—is our priority.

• Medical/Dental/Vision- Some plans at $0 cost to the employee
• Employee Assistance Program
• 20 days per year of vacation time
• 12 days per year of sick time
• 5 personal days
• 4 organization-wide Wellness Days
• 11 observed holidays, including the last week of December.
• $2000 Professional Development Stipend
• Home office set-up stipend
• Internet Stipend
• 401k with 5% employer contribution, no employee participation required.
• Student loan repayment assistance.
• Gym Reimbursement

People of color and those who have been impacted by the criminal system and immigration system are strongly urged to apply. Acacia is deeply committed to race equality, inclusion and belonging and strives to create a work culture that recognizes everyone's unique lived experience.

To Apply:

Submit your resume and cover letter through the Acacia Careers site. If you encounter technical issues or have accessibility needs, email your resume and cover letter to hiring@acaciajustice.org with Subject: ATTN: Human Resources / [Job Title], Acacia Center for Justice

PLEASE ONLY SUBMIT THROUGH ONE METHOD.

Equal Opportunity Employment:

Acacia is an equal opportunity employer and seeks to recruit persons of diverse backgrounds and support their retention and advancement within the organization. We are committed to fostering a workplace culture inclusive of people with respect to their race, ethnicity, national origin, gender/gender identity, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, veteran status, marital status, age, disabilities, political affiliation, religious beliefs, or any other characteristic. Our commitment to justice and diversity also means providing a work environment that is welcoming, respectful, and engaging.

This job description is not meant to be an all-inclusive list of duties, responsibilities and requirements but constitutes a general definition of the position's scope and function within our organization.

Acacia Center for Justice is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will be considered for employment without unlawful discrimination based on race, color, creed, national origin, sex, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, military status, prior record of arrest or conviction, citizenship status, current employment status, or caregiver status.

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