Deputy Program Director, Detained Adult Program

The Capital Area Immigrants’ Rights (CAIR) Coalition is now Amica Center for Immigrant Rights (“Amica Center” for short). Click here to learn more about our new name. Since our founding in 1999, we have grown significantly and added new services to support immigrants in detention. Recently, Amica Center has outgrown our name, expanding beyond our initial services and geographic boundaries.

“Amica” is the Latin word for “friend,” and that echoes the way we approach what we do. Just as friends stand with one another, Amica Center stands with our clients to achieve the safety, stability, and opportunity we all deserve.

We are the only non-profit organization in the Washington, D.C. area that is exclusively focused on providing legal assistance to adult and child immigrants detained by the government in the Capital Region and beyond.

Our Work Environment

The Detained Adult Program (DAP) works with hundreds of adults who are detained by ICE each year, providing information, support, and legal representation. We provide trauma-sensitive, person-centered services, and deeply value the autonomy of the people we work with in detention as they navigate the fundamentally inhumane immigration system.

Amica Center’s Detained Adult Program is a highly collaborative work environment. Each team lead works directly with a focused team, but all colleagues are interconnected through, for example, case workshops or staff-run committees.

DAP staff is a source of expertise in the highly complex and ever-changing immigration system. They have persisted through administration changes, policy shifts, and attacks on the rights and freedoms of immigrants through project-focused cohorts that arise to address challenges or to brainstorm and implement affirmative strategies.

Position Summary

A Deputy Program Director for internal management in the Detained Adult Program focuses on (1) ensuring that program staff provide excellent and efficient services to clients; (2) ensuring that grant and contractual requirements are met and accurately reported; (3) supporting the DAP Program Directors and management team in ensuring smooth functioning of internal systems; and (4) contributing to the long-term and strategic planning for the Detained Adult Program.

General Duties and Responsibilities [1]

Program Development:

• Directly supervise a docket of administrative, paralegal and/or attorney staff.
• Provide oversight and management of significant aspects of the program, with a focus on internal operations and staff support including the duties listed below, in coordination with the Program Directors and when applicable, the People Operations Director.
• In collaboration with DAP Program Directors, responsible for creating and updating policies and procedures that guide the day-to-day operations of the program. This includes developing policies related to program procedures, employee development, and employee conduct.
• In collaboration with People Operations, manage DAP’s hiring and recruitment efforts, including ensuring updated job descriptions, interview rubrics, and onboarding materials and processes.
• In collaboration with Program Directors and grant officers, develop and monitor program budgets. In particular, equitably manage non-legal portion of department’s Professional Development budget & make allocation decisions in collaboration with legal training managing attorney and Program Directors.
• Support the Program Directors and Direct Rep Managing Attorneys in ensuring core contract requirements are met and grant reports are timely submitted.
• Provide adequate staffing coverage and plan for appropriate hiring as staff fluctuate, caseloads change, and pilot programs increase.

Program Legal Support:

• Stay abreast of legal developments and challenges to make sure we are implementing department-wide responses to and guidance for staff regarding changes in the law.
• Ensure that staff identify and track novel legal claims to advance radical changes in immigration law.
• Provide oversight and mentoring to Managing Attorneys on advanced trial practice, complex case strategy, and support on case load and team management.
• Provide legal and managerial support to panel attorney program and handle day-to-day communications with program associates regarding sub-contract attorney matters and operations.
• Provide substantive case supervision and mentorship to litigating staff, as needed.

Organizational Services:

• Work with directors and program management to set long-term program strategic planning.
• Interface with leadership with of other Amica Center programs to ensure cross-program information and strategy sharing.
• Oversee the inputting and accuracy of data and case information into shared databases in a timely fashion for program staff.
• Assist program staff in completion of their workload during high-work/low-bandwidth periods.
• Take part in stakeholder relationship activities, including in-person and telephonic meetings with community groups, governmental bodies and representatives, and other legal service providers, as needed.
• Attend and participate in biweekly Organization-Wide Leadership and Legal Strategy Group Meetings.
• Keep the Board abreast of developments as needed in consultation with leadership.
• Support and reinforce organizational plans for equity and inclusion.

[1] This list is illustrative and not intended to be a complete classification of all job functions or tasks.

Additional Role-Specific Details

Position Type 

Full-time

Reports To 

DAP Program Director 

Supervisory Responsibility 

Formal supervision responsibilities are yet to be determined and are dependent upon the qualifications of the applicant. Supervision may include Program Associates, Paralegals, and/or Staff, Senior and Managing Attorneys.

Hiring Timeline 

Applications for the Deputy Program Director role will be accepted until September 13, 2024. Qualified candidates will be contacted in the coming weeks for interviews. Applications received after the application deadline will not be considered.

Salary [2] 

$86,000-$130,000 

In addition to the base annual salary, a one-time signing bonus of 5% of the base salary will be provided with the employment offer. 

[2] In 2018 Amica Center implemented a compensation framework to be more straightforward, transparent, and provide assurance of internal equity. The compensation model we use is based on an individual's position and years of relevant work experience to avoid salary discrepancies and to reduce the risk of racial, gender, or other forms of bias affecting a candidate's salary. 

Location and/or Travel Requirements 

(Washington, D.C./ Baltimore, MD/ Remote) 

This position will be based at the Washington, D.C. or Baltimore, MD office. Due to business related travel expectations, it is recommended candidates live within 30-miles of their assigned primary office. 

Telework 

Amica Center operates a hybrid work environment where staff are required to work at least one day per week in-office, but some roles require more office/on-site attendance or travel.

COVID-19 Vaccination

All employees are required to be fully vaccinated and boosted against COVID-19. To be fully vaccinated means having completed the full dosages required for the type of vaccine obtained as designated by the CDC. If boosters are subsequently recommended by the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) then employees will be required to receive the booster within thirty (30) days of their eligibility to access the boosters. 

At Amica Center, we embrace the fact that talented individuals come from diverse backgrounds and life experiences. We believe that diversity in all dimensions of the organization supports and bolsters the innovative thinking essential to our success. Amica Center values your unique perspectives, skills, and potential, and we are committed to providing equal opportunities for growth and development. If you are passionate about Amica Center's mission and are excited to contribute your talents to our team, we encourage you to submit your application. Candidates from traditionally underrepresented groups are strongly encouraged to apply. If you are a candidate with a disability and require accommodations to apply for this position, please contact us at HR@amicacenter.org.

EEO Statement

Amica Center for Immigrant Rights is an equal opportunity employer. In accordance with anti-discrimination law, it is the purpose of this policy to effectuate these principles and mandates. Amica Center prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type and affords equal employment opportunities to employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. Amica Center conforms to the spirit as well as to the letter of all applicable laws and regulations.

Our Anti-Racism Statement:

To learn more about our anti-racism statement click here. 

Competencies Required 

Programmatic & Leadership Competency

The employee applies their extensive experience in program leadership and project management to develop and implement department-wide projects, program plans, and systems to address infrastructure gaps. They apply best practices in equitable management and use modeling, coaching, training and feedback to develop others and support problem-solving. The employee contributes to the effective management of the program’s facility, client, and in-office programmatic obligations to ensure that all clients receive zealous and culturally competent representation, that the program meets its funding obligations, and that the Detained Adult Program collaborates effectively within the organization and with peer groups.

Legal Proficiency

The employee utilizes their expertise in removal defense to provide high-quality supervision and mentorship in detained cases and to develop creative solutions to novel legal issues and challenges. The employee works to develop new initiatives at the organization to increase efficacy, efficiency, and cultural competency of legal services. The employee is a thought-leader on client services and advocacy.

Administrative Competency

The employee exhibits advanced expertise and efficiency in providing systemic solutions to program-wide administrative needs. They have a proclivity for identifying areas for systems improvement and effectively implement their proposals through use of appropriate delegation. The employee ensures that all administrative aspects of their position (and their supervisees’ positions) are responsibly completed and looks to streamline and improve administrative systems at the team-wide level, in collaboration with the Program Directors. 

Qualifications Required

• Minimum of 5 years of experience in immigration law.
• JD or DOJ Accredited Rep strongly preferred.
• Experience in managing a department or group of employees for at least four years.
• Experience working for a non-profit organization.
• Written and oral Spanish fluency strongly preferred, Written and oral Spanish proficiency strongly preferred, with willingness to improve upon hire for lower-proficiency applicants. Non-Spanish speaking applicants with third language proficiency will be considered.
• Favorable results on background check including driving record.
• Driver’s License required and willingness to travel for work-related business as needed.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Experience in budget management and ability to manage financial resources effectively.
• Experience in resolving conflicts and ensuring smooth collaboration among team members.
• Proficient in planning and implementing projects.
• Demonstrated ability to adapt to changing priorities, strategies, and circumstances.

How to Apply

Submit your resume, a cover letter that explains your interest in this role, and a writing sample with your Paylocity application.

Amica Center’s benefits package includes: 

• Free gym access located in Washington, D.C. Or Baltimore, MD (dependent on employee’s primary office) 
• Flexible working hours after successful completion of trainings and with approval of supervisor 
• Pre-tax commuter benefits for those living in the DMV 
• Subsidized health, dental insurance, and vision insurance (Amica Center pays a very high rate of the insurance package, for which we can provide additional information) 
• Eligibility for data reimbursement payments totaling: $300 on an annual basis 
• Life Insurance valued at $50,000, as well as long- and short-term disability 
• The option to set up a Flexible Spending Account 
• High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP) with a one-time employer contribution of $350 to the Health Savings Account (HSA) 
• The option to set up a 403(b) account (the equivalent of a 401(k) account for non-profits) which the organization has the option, for all employees on an annual basis, to match at a certain percentage after one year of continuous employment. 

Paid time off includes: 

• 23 personal days per calendar year 
• Up to 20 days of sick time per calendar year 
• 7 hours of volunteer time off 
• Federal holidays 
• Paid winter break closure 
• 12 weeks of parental leave 

Written and oral Spanish fluency strongly preferred, Written and oral Spanish proficiency strongly preferred, with willingness to improve upon hire for lower-proficiency applicants. Non-Spanish speaking applicants with third language proficiency will be considered.