Organizational Overview:
The Rocky Mountain Immigrant Advocacy Network (RMIAN) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing free immigration legal services to adults in immigration detention and to children and families across Colorado. The RMIAN Children’s Program has been providing free legal services to children and families since 2005 through RMIAN attorneys, staff and pro bono partners.
Unaccompanied immigrant children are initially held in the custody of Health and Human Services Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) when they first enter the United States. ORR operates two facilities in Westminster, Colorado—a short-term shelter and a residential treatment center. RMIAN Children’s Program has an immediate opening for an attorney to join our team providing free immigration legal services to these unaccompanied children. The Children’s Program Staff attorney will collaborate with the attorneys, paralegals and social workers on the ORR team under the direction of the Children’s Program Managing Attorney and in collaboration with the Children’s Program team.
RMIAN is Accepting Applications from the Following Candidates:
The RMIAN Children’s Program is seeking a colleague who possesses a shared passion to support unaccompanied children. Specifically, this individual will provide Know-Your-Rights presentations, individual consultations, courtroom assistance, advocacy for release of children approaching their eighteenth birthday, referrals to other legal service providers upon release, and direct legal representation for unaccompanied children in ORR custody. RMIAN will consider applications from licensed attorneys, as well as those who will have a juris doctor degree by June 2022 who take the July 2022 bar exam.
This position is meant for an advocate who is exceptionally organized and efficient, who is compassionate and sensitive in working with traumatized children, who enjoys working on a team, and who is proactive and can work independently. This is an ideal position for someone who wants to work closely with unaccompanied children, and who is willing to provide assistance, information, support and referrals to children without legal counsel, in addition to offering legal representation in limited cases.
The Ideal Candidate:
• Is an attorney or a law school graduate sitting for the July bar exam who has a background in immigration law and a strong commitment to immigrant justice – this person is called to this field and is passionate about RMIAN’s work and mission.
• Is skilled at explaining complex legal issues in a child-friendly manner to recent-arrival unaccompanied children unfamiliar with the complexities of immigration laws, processes and procedures.
• Is collegial and collaborative with others on a team and ready to pitch in to support colleagues when needed with both legal and administrative tasks.
• Is exceptionally organized, detail-oriented, careful and methodical about ensuring accuracy, timeliness and high-quality work.
• Is skilled at building rapport with children, colleagues, shelter staff and other stakeholders. The ideal candidate acts with courtesy, patience and poise, is confident speaking to groups, and willing to take the time to develop trust and ensure understanding with children.
• Is able to be responsive and act on time-sensitive tasks—this person can easily pivot when emergent situations arise, is skilled at time management, and is able to triage to meet time-sensitive deadlines.
• Is able to work autonomously and independently—this person doesn’t require micromanaging and can be trusted to manage and meet deadlines and complete tasks in a timely manner without the need for extensive oversight.
Position Responsibilities:
Direct Legal Services (90%)
• Provide Know-Your-Rights presentations at the ORR facilities in Westminster, Colorado within 10 business days of children’s arrival.
• Conduct an individual legal screening with each child in ORR custody within 10 business days of their arrival. Conduct follow up screening and meetings with children as necessary pre- and post-release.
• Prepare unaccompanied children for court appearances, serve as Friend of Court for unrepresented children, and provide accurate, current updates to the Court on the child’s reunification process or other release plans from the shelter.
• Provide direct representation and file all relevant relief applications for children without a viable sponsor, any seeking voluntary departure, and all those released within Colorado, as well as others on a case-by-case basis.
• Prepare and file requests for release and post-release plans for children reaching their eighteenth birthday.
• Timely refer released children to alternate legal service providers upon their release to another state.
• Prepare and file changes of address and changes of venue for all children released to another state.
• Refer particularly vulnerable children to the Young Center for child advocacy services and support.
• Ensure all documentation and data is timely entered into required databases and monthly reports.
Outreach, Community Education, Communication and Development Efforts (10%)
• Participate in RMIAN’s outreach, community education, communication, and development efforts and assist with other tasks as needed.
• Admission to any state bar or commitment to sitting for the July 2022 bar exam.
• English & Spanish fluency required – both oral and written.
• Proof of vaccination against COVID-19, or proof of eligibility for exception.
If this profile calls to you, please send a tailored, authentic cover letter that explains (1) why RMIAN’s mission excites you and (2) why this particular role is a fit for you, along with your resume, a writing sample of no more than 10 pages, and a list of three professional references to [email protected].
Applicants are encouraged to apply as early as possible. Interviews will be conducted on a rolling basis until the position is filled.
RMIAN is an equal opportunity employer and recognizes the importance of diversity in the workplace. We encourage applications from people of color, immigrants, women, members of the LGBTQ community, and other underrepresented and marginalized groups. RMIAN does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, national origin, disability, marital status or veteran status. We are committed to providing an inclusive, equitable and welcoming environment free from discrimination.
Visit us at www.rmian.org