TEMPORARY STAFF ATTORNEY POSITION (06/2021-12/2021)

TEMPORARY STAFF ATTORNEY POSITION (06/2021-12/2021)
TACOMA AND SOUTH UNIT (TSU)
FULL TIME, EXEMPT
Tacoma, WA
https://nwirp.org/jobs

SUMMARY:
Northwest Immigrant Rights Project (NWIRP) seeks a temporary bilingual attorney to provide direct representation to children and adults facing removal (deportation) proceedings or submitting applications before the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. This role is currently mostly remote due to COVID, but will resume to work out of our Tacoma office once operations return to in office.

The attorney will provide legal assistance to community members through: (1) direct representation (2) individual consultations; and (3) community education. The attorney will focus on providing representation on cases in removal proceedings before the immigration court and also on cases involving SIJS, U visa petitions, VAWA self-petitions, asylum and other forms of immigration relief. The attorney may also be assigned work relating to other immigration matters.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:
NWIRP is proud to be a unionized employer and though this full-time position is not covered by NWIRP’s Collective Bargaining Agreement, we do extend the following employee benefit provisions:
Annual salary is $67,883 for a licensed attorney with no experience and is higher for attorneys with specific types of experience. For example, for someone with 10 years of non-profit immigration attorney experience the annual salary would be $89,460; 20 years = $105,084. NWIRP also is proud to offer a generous benefits package, including:
• 100% of premiums for excellent health, vision and dental plans;
• 3% employer retirement contributions;
• Disability/life/AD&D coverage;
• Annual leave of 16 paid vacation days, 13 paid holidays, 12 paid health-related days;
• 12 weeks of employer paid parenthood leave after 6 months of employment;
• 4 weeks of paid sabbatical after 5 years of employment
• Compensatory time
• Ability to float 5 holidays

COMMITMENT TO INCLUSIVITY, EQUITY AND REPRESENTATION:
Northwest Immigrant Rights Project is an equal opportunity employer committed to having a diverse staff, board, and volunteer base reflective of the communities we serve and that enhances our ability to create a vibrant environment where all members of the NWIRP community thrive. We strongly encourage applications from individuals who identify as Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC), immigrants (including people who were formerly detained, undocumented, or who have navigated the immigration legal system), women, people with disabilities, members of the LGBTQ+ community, and individuals with diverse cultural backgrounds and language abilities.
NWIRP is committed to providing a work environment free from discrimination and harassment. NWIRP does not discriminate on the basis of class, race, color, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, political ideology, age, creed, religion, ancestry, national origin, or the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability. Excepting any undue hardship, NWIRP will provide reasonable accommodations upon request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the selection process

RESPONSIBILITIES:
• Provide direct representation in cases in removal proceedings;
• Provide direct representation to persons submitting affirmative applications with USCIS and the Department of State;
• Conduct presentations, workshops, legal clinics and individual consultations;
• Provide direct representation and other forms of legal assistance to individuals in other types of immigration matters;
• Perform administrative tasks related to grant reporting and other requirements;
• Participate in NWIRP’s outreach, community education and development efforts;
• Perform other tasks as required and directed by supervisory staff.

Physical demands: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, stand and walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; talk and hear; utilize a phone, computer, keyboard, pen and paper.

Emotional demands: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to discuss topics including, but not limited, to discrimination, domestic abuse and violence.

SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS:
• Law degree.
• Admission to the bar of any state in the U.S.
• Demonstrated commitment to immigrant rights and willingness to support NWIRP’s mission, vision and values.
• Excellent written, oral communication skills and presentation skills.
• Commitment to working in a diverse working environment;
• Fluency in English and a second language (preferably Spanish but will consider applicants who speak another language);
• At least one year with prior experience representing individuals before USCIS preferred;
• At least one year with prior experience representing persons in removal proceedings preferred;
• Strong organizational skills and ability to work independently.

REPORTS TO
Interim Supervising Attorney, Tacoma

ABOUT NORTHWEST IMMIGRANT RIGHTS PROJECT:
Founded in 1984, NWIRP is a nationally recognized legal services organization on the front lines of defending and advancing the rights of immigrants. Each year, NWIRP provides direct legal representation and assistance in immigration matters to thousands of people with low incomes who come from over 160 countries and speak over 60 different languages. NWIRP challenges unjust policies through high-impact lawsuits and advocates for laws and policies that respect the rights of immigrants. NWIRP is also a trusted provider of immigration-related community education for immigrant communities and social service providers. NWIRP has a staff of 120 and an annual budget of over $13 million. NWIRP serves the community through four offices in Washington State (Granger, Seattle, Tacoma and Wenatchee), but the impact of our work is felt nationwide.