Program Director, Immigrant Justice

FLSA:

Exempt, Full-time

Compensation:

$130,000 to $134,000 annually DOE

Reports to:

Director of Programs

Location:

Mostly remote, with San Francisco office open as an option. Must reside in the San Francisco Bay Area, California.

Direct Reports:

Senior Staff Attorneys, Program Manager

Are you a collaborative, creative and bilingual immigration attorney who is deeply committed to immigrants’ rights? Consider joining the Immigrant Justice team at the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights, SF Bay Area (LCCRSF)!

About You

As Program Director, you will be responsible for the overall effectiveness and day-to-day management of the direct services component of LCCRSF’s Pro Bono Asylum Program and LCCRSF’s in-house removal defense cases. You will work in partnership and supervise a team consisting of staff attorneys, a Program Manager, and other legal support staff with assistance and supervision by the Director of Programs. You will provide technical assistance to pro bono law firm attorneys who are representing clients in removal proceedings, pursuing asylum affirmatively through USCIS, pursuing Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS), filing asylum- and SIJS-based adjustment of status applications, securing and renewing work authorization for their clients, filing asylee family petitions, and other topics relating to immigration relief and benefits. You will work collaboratively with LCCRSF’s attorneys to provide high-quality full-scope in-house representation to immigrants in removal proceedings. You will support our coalition-based effort to provide rapid response and Attorney-of-the-Day services in San Francisco. You may also participate in the development of training materials and resources to support pro bono representation in removal proceedings, affirmative asylum cases and other affirmative applications for immigration relief and benefits.

The ideal candidate will have experience representing asylum seekers in removal proceedings and seeking immigration relief and benefits before USCIS, prior program management and supervision experience as well as a strong commitment to working with immigrants and advancing the immigrant rights movement.

About LCCRSF

As one of the most enduring civil rights institutions on the West Coast, LCCRSF works to dismantle systems of oppression and racism and to build an equitable and just society. Formed in 1968 to bridge the legal community and the Civil Rights Movement, we’re known for advancing the rights of low-income, historically marginalized communities, immigrants, and refugees. We also invest in legal fellows and support a network of over 1,000 active pro bono attorneys and volunteers. We are in this work for the long haul. Our goal is to make this work sustainable, to rest as needed and take care of each other and our communities, so we can be fierce in the face of power through our core issue areas of Racial Justice, Immigrant Justice, and Economic Justice. Learn more at lccrsf.org.

About the Asylum Program

Since 1983, LCCRSF’s Pro Bono Asylum Program has secured free legal representation for hundreds of asylum applicants seeking refuge in California by providing direct representation as well as training and mentorship to pro bono attorneys. Through our Asylum Program, we match asylum seekers with pro bono attorneys who represent them before the San Francisco and Concord Immigration Courts. Our Immigrant Justice program also provides regular trainings for immigration law practitioners, pro bono attorneys, and our partners at non-profit organizations throughout the Bay Area to develop expertise in asylum and other immigration topics that directly impact the communities we serve.

General Summary of Work Performed

The Immigrant Justice Program Director is responsible for the overall effectiveness and day-to-day management of the direct services component of the Immigrant Justice Program/Pro Bono Asylum.

The Program Director will (1) lead the Immigrant Justice direct service program; (2) train and mentor pro bono attorneys handling asylum cases; (3) provide direct representation in removal defense cases and affirmative cases; and (4) manage and support grant deliverables.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

1. Leadership and Supervision of the Asylum Program:

• Develop and maintain the vision, strategy, and goals of the asylum program and effectively allocate the program’s resources in order to achieve them;
• Develop, implement, and oversee compliance with policies and procedures related to client intake, case placement, case monitoring/supervision, volunteer retention, program evaluation, and case management including use of LegalServer case management system;
• Oversee all training, technical assistance, and mentorship provided to pro bono attorneys handling asylum cases;
• Supervise Senior Staff Attorney(s), Program Manager and any other legal support staff;
• Oversee direct services staff in the day-to-day management of their asylum casework, including providing guidance, assistance, and advice to senior and staff attorneys and assisting on complex cases where appropriate;
• Collaborate with the Director of Pro Bono and Strategic Partnerships to build and maintain relationships with pro bono law firm partners;
• Collaborate as needed with the Immigrant Justice impact litigation team to identify and develop immigrant justice policy advocacy and litigation priorities; and
• Participate in Senior Leadership team meetings, representing Asylum team.

1. Direct Service and Pro Bono Mentoring and Technical Assistance:

• Provide direct representation to a docket of noncitizens in removal proceedings and affirmative applications, primarily focused on asylum claims;
• Contribute to team coverage of technical assistance requests from pro bono attorneys regarding defensive asylum and other case types;
• Support periodic teamwide coverage of rapid response network to assist individuals taken into ICE custody in collaboration with our grant partners; and
• Participate in Attorney of the Day at immigration court, providing advice and referrals to individuals in removal proceedings, in collaboration with our grant partners.

1. Grants Management

• Support applications for grants as requested by Development team; and
• Oversee compliance and reporting with grants, including familiarity with and adherence to grant requirements and attendance at grant-related coalition meetings.

1. Other duties as assigned by Director of Programs. This position may require some evening and weekend work.

Overview of Knowledge, Skills & Abilities Required

• Fluency in spoken and written Spanish.
• J.D. and a member in good standing of any state bar (*California strongly preferred).
• A minimum of seven years of legal/immigration experience.
• A minimum of two years of program management and supervisory experience.
• Proven track record of successfully managing an immigration program and successfully supervising an immigration team.
• Experience working with pro bono attorneys highly preferred.
• Significant experience in asylum, both affirmative and defensive. Experience with BIA appeals and petitions for review a plus.
• Excellent organizational, communication, analytical, writing, and editing skills; strong attention to detail.
• Experience working with Microsoft products, including Office and Teams; Adobe Acrobat; case management tools such as LegalServer; and contact management tools such as Salesforce.
• Ability to relate to and communicate respectfully and effectively with a broad range of clients, colleagues, and partners in the legal community and beyond. Values working cooperatively with others.
• Ability to work as a member of a team and independently. Ability to set and carry out objectives with minimal supervision.
• Ability to think strategically and creatively, solve problems, innovate, exercise initiative, and manage multiple tasks/projects and sensitive information while also being able to determine when to ask for assistance.
• Impeccable integrity, judgment and discretion.
• Knowledge of and commitment to the mission and goals of LCCRSF and the Immigrant Justice Program.

Salary, Benefits, Work location

This position is full-time, exempt, with an annual salary of $130k to $134k/year DOE and reports to the Director of Programs. Full benefits package includes 100% paid medical + 80% for dependents, phone and internet reimbursement, vacation, sick time, and paid holidays. LCCRSF also closes its office at 3pm Fridays and for winter break (the last week of the year.)

This position may need to do some in-person work for rapid response, staff events, and court hearings. Our office is located on the Embarcadero in downtown San Francisco, close to many transit options. We are currently remote with our office available for optional use, or as needed. While remote, employees may not work outside CA for more than 30 consecutive days at a time. Employees must be fully vaccinated according to CDC COVID-19 guidelines for in-person work.

General working hours are 9am-5pm, M-F. LCCRSF is Latina- and woman-led, with approximately 30 staff. We are flexible, family-friendly, and value health, wellness and balance. We follow ADA guidelines - reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with different abilities to perform the essential functions.

Working Environment and Conditions

The working conditions described here are representative of those that must be met to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. While performing the duties of this position, the employee must be able to remain in a stationary position, constantly operate a computer, and must have the ability to communicate information and ideas so others will understand. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the functions.

To Apply 

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Applicants should submit 1) a thoughtful cover letter; 2) a resume; and 3) three professional references by email to  https://lccrsf.bamboohr.com/careers/30?source=aWQ9MjU%3D

Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights of the San Francisco Bay Area thrives as an inclusive/equal opportunity employer. People of all backgrounds and walks of life are encouraged to apply. 

This position is full-time, exempt, with an annual salary of $130k to $134k/year DOE and reports to the Director of Programs. Full benefits package includes 100% paid medical + 80% for dependents, phone and internet reimbursement, vacation, sick time, and paid holidays. LCCRSF also closes its office at 3pm Fridays and for winter break (the last week of the year.)

This position may need to do some in-person work for rapid response, staff events, and court hearings. Our office is located on the Embarcadero in downtown San Francisco, close to many transit options. We are currently remote with our office available for optional use, or as needed. While remote, employees may not work outside CA for more than 30 consecutive days at a time. Employees must be fully vaccinated according to CDC COVID-19 guidelines for in-person work.

General working hours are 9am-5pm, M-F. LCCRSF is Latina- and woman-led, with approximately 30 staff. We are flexible, family-friendly, and value health, wellness and balance. We follow ADA guidelines - reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with different abilities to perform the essential functions.