Staff Attorney, Higher Education Legal Services

Position Title: Staff Attorney

Organization: Jewish Family Service of San Diego

Department: Higher Education Legal Services, Immigration Legal Services Department

Position Type: Full-Time (37.5 hours/week), Exempt

Work Setting: Hybrid

Reports To: Lead Immigration Attorney – Higher Education Legal Services Program

Pay Range: $72,500-$80,000/year

Total Compensation:  

In addition to standard pay, compensation for this position includes:

• Comprehensive, low-cost healthcare coverage for employees
• Generous employer 401(k) contributions
• Employer-covered life insurance

Time Away from Work:

Being able to take time away from work is critical in bringing your best self to work. Time off benefits for this position include:

• Paid vacation time and sick leave
• 15 paid holidays, including Federal and Jewish holidays (as long as the holiday lands on a normal scheduled work day), and floating holidays
• 2 Wellness Days to be taken any time during the year to support employees’ mental wellness

Position Overview:

JFS is looking for a compassionate, mission-driven individual to join the Higher Education Legal Services Program (HELS), Immigration Legal Services Department as the Staff Attorney. In this role, you have the opportunity to use your legal skills and experience to make a meaningful difference in your community and help change lives across San Diego. The Staff Attorney plays an integral role on the team and supports the entire agency by advising and representing individuals on affirmative immigration applications and in removal defense proceedings as well as providing Education and Outreach to the campus community.  This position reports directly to the Lead Staff Attorney and works closely with the rest of the HELS team.

Responsibilities:  

• Prepare filings and represent clients before US Citizenship and Immigration Services and other DHS agencies as needed
• If licensed in California, provide direct representation in California State Court for clients seeking Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS)
• Provide representation to a limited number of HELS eligible clients placed in removal proceedings, this includes people who are referred to the program by the San Diego Rapid Response Network (SDRRN)
• Participate in community workshops, information sessions, and other outreach activities, as needed
• Manage a full active caseload of mostly affirmative cases, and some removal defense cases if HELS eligible clients need those services
• Stay in constant communication with clients about the status of their pending immigration cases
• Coordinate and document client communications and necessary data for our funding obligations
• Provide general support to the ILSD team, including the DOJ accredited representatives, pro bono attorneys, and other staff as assigned, through regular engagement, case assistance and mentorship
• Stay up to date on rapidly changing immigration laws and policies
• Comply with ILSD, program, and agency-wide policies and procedures, data and case management policies and procedures, and program reporting requirements
• Be ready to perform any additional case management or administrative tasks
• Ensure supervisees, if assigned supervisory oversight of an intern, volunteer or employee, are meeting all responsibilities according to their job description

Required Formal Education and/or Licenses:

• Law graduate
• Licensed to practice law in the U.S.

Skills/Experience/Abilities That Are a Must-Have:

• A passion for social justice for immigrants
• A passion for providing culturally competent, trauma-informed, services to noncitizens and newcomers in San Diego County, Imperial County, and generally in the San Diego border region, including but not limited Tijuana/Mexicali, Mexico
• A valid driver’s license, access to an automobile, insurance, and willingness to drive to off-site locations
• A willingness to undergo extensive immigration law-focused legal training and complete required bi-annual ethics trainings
• Excellent interpersonal skills, including good communication and active listening skills.
• Detail oriented and self-directed with strong oral and written communication skills in English.
• An ability to record accurate data
• Strong relational skills and professional attitude
• Strong case management, legal research, and legal writing skills
• A demonstrated ability and willingness to zealously defend the rights of immigrants and newcomers
• A demonstrated ability to take initiative and work under pressure
• An ability to work both independently and in a group and with a team
• An ability to work flexible hours, including some evenings and weekends
• Ability to prioritize, multi-task and organize in a fast paced and fluid environment
• Proficient in Microsoft software including Excel, Word, and Outlook
• Experience working with immigrant populations and in multi-cultural settings
• Experience working with detained immigrants or other incarcerated populations
• Experience working with marginalized populations and survivors of trauma
• Dedication to serving immigrant communities with a sincere commitment to working on behalf of low-income immigrants

Skills/Abilities We’d Like You to Have:

• Bilingual English/Arabic, Spanish, Farsi, Haitian Creole, and/or Portuguese – desired

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to work in office and Community Colleges and University campuses
• Available to work occasional evenings and weekends, as necessary
• Must frequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds

Important Notice:

Incomplete submissions will not be considered. Please, no phone calls. Please, principals only. Please, local candidates only (relocation is not provided).

About Jewish Family Service of San Diego
Jewish Family Service of San Diego is a client-centered, impact-driven organization working to build a stronger, more resilient community.  For over 100 years, Jewish Family Service has been a trusted resource for the entire community, offering an array of services that are always life-changing, and often life-saving.  At Jewish Family Service, we believe our employees are the backbone of our Agency.  We strive to ensure that each employee is treated with dignity and respect.  Our goal is your success.  Come work at JFS and be our partner in Moving Forward Together.  To learn more about JFS, please visit jfssd.org. 

*Jewish Family Service is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran or disability status.

Salary : $72,500 - $80,000