Associate Program Director-Esperanza Immigrant Rights Project

Background: Esperanza Immigrant Rights Project, a program of Catholic Charities of Los Angeles, Inc., is a non-profit law firm which provides community education and legal representation to immigrant adults, families, unaccompanied minors, individuals with mental health issues, and in cases involving crimmigration. Esperanza has proudly provided legal services to immigrants and their families in Southern California for over 15 years. The immigration court system does not provide court-appointed counsel to individuals facing deportation who cannot afford an attorney, so this vulnerable population relies on our community education programs to obtain critical information about the process, understand their legal options and access assistance. Esperanza’s community education programs were established to more effectively meet this need and to guide pro se immigrants through the increasingly complicated and strained immigration system. Core services of the programs include legal orientations regarding removal proceedings and legal relief; intake and follow-up services; self-help workshops; and referrals for pro bono assistance or social services. More information can be found about Esperanza at www.esperanza-la.org

 The candidate assists the Director in the administration and management of a large program. Depending on organizational model, either assumes primary responsibility for a major section of the program or assumes primary responsibility for key program-wide functions such as fiscal and budget management, public relations, quality improvement, and/or resource development. May supervise the work of employees and/or volunteers.

Responsibilities:

• Responsible for program in the absence of the Director. 
• Act as a liaison between various organizations, governmental agencies and community leaders in the region.
• Supervise program staff and maintenance program records in accordance with approved standards and practices.
• Serve as a primary assistant to the Director in development, including staff retention, grant applications, contracts, budgets and operation of the program
• Ensures compliance with standards established by federal, state, and local government. 
• Provides staff development and training to ensure competency.
• Develops Continuous Quality Improvement and service delivery that is aligned with the Agency’s mission. 
• Assist with special events and fundraising. 
• Displays sensitivity to the client population’s cultural and socioeconomic characteristics.
•  Performs related duties as required.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field.
• Three to five years of related experience.
• Direction, evaluation, training and supervision of staff. 
• Design and implement effective programs.
• Handle public contact and relations effectively. 
• Communicate effectively in written and oral form. 
• Display sensitivity, tact and responsiveness in various situations and needs. 
• Develop and maintain effective working relationships.
• Use independent judgment and initiative. 
• Maintain high level of confidentiality. 
•  Planning short and long range goals.
• Administrative principles and their application. 
• Community’s social resources and government agencies. 
• Principles of supervision, training and performance evaluation. 
• Fundraising techniques. 
• Applicable state and federal laws and regulations.
• Appropriate handbooks and reference materials. 
• Budget preparation and management. 
• Catholic Charities’ policies, procedures and organization.