Job Details

Position:  Immigration Staff Attorney 

FLSA:  Exempt 

Department: Immigration Legal Services 

FTE: 40 hours 

Supervisor: Director of Programs 

Salary & Classification: 

$75,000-95,000 

Office Location: 

Watsonville, Salinas, San Luis Obispo 

ABOUT CATHOLIC CHARITIES: 

Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Monterey is a member agency of Catholic Charities USA, the largest network of social service provider in the U.S with 167 agencies nationwide and 12 in the State of California.  Catholic Charities Diocese of Monterey serves the counties of Santa Cruz, Monterey, San Benito and San Luis Obispo.  Catholic Charities is a non-profit, non-discriminatory service organization and employer. We promote equal opportunity in all employment decisions regardless of race, national origin, sex, marital status, physical /mental disability, age or other bases protected by federal, state or local law.    

Programs: 

The local programs are: Financial Stability Services, Nutrition Education & Outreach, Tattoo Removal Program, Immigration Legal Services, and Disaster Relief Services. 

Mission:  

Our Mission is to provide service to people in need, to advocate for social justice, and to call other people of good will to do the same. 

Service  •  Advocacy  •  Convening 

Vision: Our vision is a thriving community where individuals, regardless of their background or circumstances have the opportunity to reach their potential and contribute to society. 

Values: We will achieve this through our commitment to advocacy and by providing compassionate, inclusive and impactful services while building bridges of hope, mercy and justice to meet the needs of our community. 

POSITION SUMMARY:   

Under the Supervision of the Immigration Program Director, the Immigration Staff Attorney will provide robust direct legal representation to low-income individuals and families in the counties of Santa Cruz, Monterey and San Benito and San Luis Obispo in affirmative and defensive immigration matters. The services include, among others, giving general consultations representing clients before EOIR, USCIS, and California Superior Courts, networking with other community-based legal service providers in the area in advocacy efforts, and administrative duties, including data entry, client intakes, and fee reconciliation. The staff attorney may choose to work out of the Watsonville, Salinas or San Luis Obispo but serves clients from all four counties and requires travel between the different offices. This position is also responsible for promoting agency mission, vision and values, contributing to agency planning, and representing Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Monterey in the community.   

 FUNDAMENTAL RESPONSIBILITIES: 

Promote the mission of Catholic Charities through a commitment to its core values of compassion, service, justice, respect, integrity, teamwork and excellence.  

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES : 

• Responsible for individual caseload, providing affirmative and defensive immigration services, with a primary focus on removal defense, asylum, and SIJS petitions, among other forms of benefits and/or relief. 
• After determining that a client is entitled to any given immigration benefit, prepares applications or petitions with supporting evidence and represents clients before USCIS and EOIR. 
• Provide support as needed to other attorneys, accredited representatives, legal assistants, and volunteers on substantive legal matters and Participate in the development of case selection criteria. 
• Provides legal representation to low-income migrant children in guardianship, parentage, and custody proceedings in California Superior Courts, as well as SIJS and asylum applications before the San Francisco Immigration Court, or before USCIS. 
• Works closely with partner community-based organizations and in-house social services to ensure that clients receive holistic service addressing their many needs beyond legal representation. 
• Maintains proper client files and documentary evidence required to prove eligibility for legal benefits and equities under all applicable law. Maintains proper case management notes in the case management platform. 
• Participates in community events (some of them on weekends) performing different tasks including but not limited to consultation, supervision, and final case review. 
• Uses cultural sensitivity and awareness to develop appropriate and effective strategies to address the needs and advance the rights of vulnerable communities. 
• Prepares and gives presentations on immigration legal benefits and facilitates workshops at agency, parishes, and in other community events organized by our Agency.  
• Coordinate and participate in outreach efforts through existing programs and throughout an extensive network list of partners. 
• Assures the delivery of quality services and adherence to policies. 
• Develop and strengthen ongoing public relations to promote program and coordination of client services. 
• Collaborate with agency staff to integrate services where possible to build support for all Catholic Charities clients   
• Assist Immigration Program Director with program needs and help in identifying potential process improvements 
• Other duties as assigned by the Immigration Program Director and Director of Programs.  

QUALIFICATIONS, EXPERIENCE, AND KNOWLEDGE: 

• J.D. degree from an accredited educational institution 
• Demonstrated knowledge of Immigration Law, Immigration Court Procedure, and Removal Defense Cases 
• SIJS related work experience and experience with complex immigration cases strongly preferred. 
• Minimum of 3 years of legal experience working with vulnerable population of immigrants, domestic violence survivors, trafficking victims, refugees or individuals seeking asylum. 
• Bilingual English / Spanish required. 
• Ability to conduct presentations in large groups 
• Ability to use independent judgment and initiative. 
• Effective written and verbal communication skills with the ability to communicate clearly, professionally, and with compassion and sensitivity. 
• Self-motivated and able to effectively prioritize and manage multiple projects. 
• Must be detailed-orientated with the ability to strategize 
• Ability to maintain strict confidentiality and exercise good judgment.  
• Must be comfortable with frequent interruptions. 
• Welcoming and friendly demeanor; appreciative and respectful of all cultures and beliefs.  
• Ability to market our programs, make sound judgments and maintain perspective. 
• Collaborative and able to develop, support and maintain positive relationships. 
• Flexible with schedule, able to work evenings 
• Knowledge of the Principles of Catholic Social Teachings and Roman Catholic structure and the ability to apply them to practical actions.  

LICENCE, CERTIFICATIONS, REGISTRATIONS: 

• California Bar license (highly desirable) 
• Valid California Driver`s License, transportation and current auto insurance. 

OTHER REQUIREMENTS:  

• Clearance of fingerprint background check is required. 
• Ability to stand and be active for 2-3 hours at a time 
• Occasionally lift or move up to 25+ lbs. 
• The person holding this position is considered a Mandated Reporter under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and is legally required to report any suspicion of abuse or neglect to the relevant authorities. 

WORKING CONDITIONS:  

• Comfortable office environment 
• Some travel to other locations for meetings, training, etc.  
• Under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Catholic Charites Diocese of Monterey must provide reasonable accommodations when an employee with a disability needs an accommodation to perform the essential job duties or to gain access to the workplace. 

HOURS AND OTHER CONDITIONS: 

This is an exempt, 40 hours/week position. Occasional weekends and evenings will be required. Salary is $75,000-95,000 based on experience. Catholic Charities offers a full range of employee benefits. 

**Please send a resume and cover letter to hr@catholiccharitiesdom.org , position will be open until filled. 

This position description intends to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this job.  It is not intended to include all duties and responsibilities.  The order in which duties and responsibilities are listed is not significant. Because of a need to remain responsive to the needs of our clients and our Agency`s operations, responsibilities may be modified at any time.