STAFF ATTORNEY OR DOJ ACCREDITED REPRESENTATIVE Apply
STAFF ATTORNEY OR DOJ ACCREDITED REPRESENTATIVE
(COMMUNITY RESOURCE ATTORNEY/REPRESENTATIVE, LOS ANGELES)
THE ORGANIZATION
Al Otro Lado is a binational legal services and immigrant rights organization serving immigrants, asylum seekers and deported persons in Southern California, Tijuana, Mxico, and beyond. We approach cases using a multidisciplinary, client-centered, abolitionist, harm reduction-based lens, and engage in zealous individual representation, human rights monitoring and impact litigation to protect the rights of individual immigrants and challenge systemic practices that violate the human rights of immigrant communities. We leverage vital partnerships with community-based organizations and academic institutions, and engage thousands of volunteers to maximize our impact and help build a broad-based immigrant justice movement.
For more information about our organization, please visit us on our website at: alotrolado.org/ or visit us on social media: @alotrolado_org (Instagram and Twitter); Al Otro Lado (Facebook).
THE STAFF ATTORNEY OR DOJ ACCREDITED REPRESENTATIVE POSITION
Al Otro Lado seeks a bilingual Spanish-speaking Staff Attorney or DOJ Accredited Representative. The Staff Attorney or DOJ Accredited Representative will work out of Al Otro Lados Los Angeles office and will work under the supervision of the Managing Attorney/Representative. The Staff Attorney or DOJ Accredited Representative will primarily provide legal orientation & education, consultations, and pro se support to clients in Los Angeles County.
This position is a hybrid in person/remote position with in-person duties as needed to serve our client population. These in-person duties may include leading Know Your Rights (KYR) presentations, in-person client meetings, and other duties as needed to ensure high quality representation for our clients. This position will require travel to 300 N Los Angeles and potentially other locations as assigned.
JOB DUTIES
- Conduct screening for client eligibility for services for internal or external referrals
- Conduct general orientations, individual orientations, and pro se workshops
- Assist detained noncitizens with gathering required documentation and writing affidavits, as needed
- Assist with conducting and reviewing client intakes for immigration relief
- Inform clients on the status of their cases
- Refer clients to other services as needed
- Representation of individual clients before USCIS and the Immigration Court in a reduced caseload
- Provide administrative support for program(s)
- Maintain the database of client caseload
- Follow organizational protocols for data management and reporting
- Respect organizational confidentiality at all times
- Assign casework to legal support staff, including legal assistants and administrative staff and provide review
- Assist with evaluation of direct reports
- Other duties as needed
REQUIRED SKILLS/QUALIFICATIONS
- Staff Attorney: Law degree and active bar admission or law school graduate awaiting admission, with substantive relevant experience
- DOJ Accredited Representative: Must be previously DOJ accredited (partially or fully) and be able to obtain DOJ Accreditation with Al Otro Lado
- Fluency in spoken and written Spanish
- 12 years of practical experience in affirmative asylum work
- Excellent legal skills and broad knowledge of immigration law
- Demonstrated commitment to mission and goals of Al Otro Lado
- Excellent written and oral communication skills
- Commitment to working in a diverse professional environment, with a kind and respectful attitude towards clients, colleagues, and relevant stakeholders
- Strong organizational skills and ability to work independently
All Al Otro Lado staff working directly with clients must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19, including with recommended boosters, and must follow strict COVID protocol while providing services, including by using a high-quality mask in the detention facility and by testing for COVID if experiencing any symptoms.
Please note, this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this position. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice. The ideal candidate will be flexible, adaptive, and enthusiastic about responding to needs as they arise.
This is a full-time, exempt position with a starting annual salary of $68,640-$75,000 DOE and includes a comprehensive benefits package.
BENEFITS
Al Otro Lados comprehensive benefit package includes:
- Health benefits: Al Otro Lado contributes up to 99% of employee medical & 70% of employee dental and vision premiums. Insurance coverage is effective on the 1st of the month following the employee's date of hire.
- Employer Sponsored Insurances: Employer-sponsored Group Long Term Disability, Short Term Disability and Life/ AD&D coverage.
- Optional Coverages: Accident, Critical Illness and Hospital Insurance
- Paid Time Off: Up to three weeks of accrued paid time off per year.
- Paid Holidays: 11 paid holidays observed, plus 1 week off for Winter Break and 1 week off for Summer Break.
- Paid Parental Leave: Supplemental wage integration following the birth of an employees child or the placement of a child with an employee in connection with adoption or foster care.
- 403(B): Retirement plan investment opportunities to include Pre-tax or ROTH options
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP): Employer sponsored plan offering mental health support, legal and financial services
APPLICATION PROCESS
Please submit a letter of interest, writing sample, preferably a redacted client declaration from an immigration case, resume, and three professional references to jobs@alotrolado.org, with Accredited Representative/Staff Attorney-Affirmative Representation in the subject line. Only applicants selected for an interview will be contacted. No phone calls, please. Al Otro Lado values diversity in the workplace and strongly encourages applications from the communities we serve, people of color, LGBTQ individuals, formerly incarcerated individuals, individuals with disabilities, and members of underrepresented communities.
