Description

Who We Are:

The Capital Area Immigrants’ Rights (CAIR) Coalition is the only non-profit organization in the Washington, D.C. area focused exclusively on providing free legal assistance to child and adult immigrants detained by the government in the Capital Region. 

The Detained Children’s Program provides legal orientation and screening to detained migrant children in the Maryland and Virginia region. We also offer free legal services to children released from Office of Refugee Resettlement custody to the greater Washington/DC Baltimore region. 

Our Work Environment:

CAIR Coalition’s Detained Children’s Program (DUCs) is a highly collaborative work environment. We are committed to providing high-quality, trauma-informed legal and social services and a culture of professional growth and support for staff. Although aspects of our work are completed in smaller teams, we work towards integrated and client-focused services across the program by embracing interconnectivity. We strive to create systems that provide structure while fostering innovation and adaptability. Supervisors in our program share a commitment to teaching,?mentorship, and work life balance. 

Position Summary:

A Senior Attorney in the Detained Children’s Program works collaboratively with staff and leadership to: 

• ensure clients receive high-quality, culturally competent legal services while detained and after release; 
• participate in visits to detention centers for the purpose of conducting legal intakes and Know Your Rights (KYR) presentations to detained children, 
• provide direct legal services to unaccompanied immigrant children; 
• mentor pro bono attorneys providing legal services to unaccompanied immigrant children; 
• supervise legal assistants, interns, and staff attorneys (depending on experience level); and
• promote a team culture of equity and inclusion. 

General Duties and Responsibilities:

Representation:

• Manage a caseload including representation of both detained and released clients. This includes representation before the local immigration courts, USCIS, and state courts in the following types of cases: Asylum, Withholding of Removal, protection under the Convention against Torture, Special Immigrant Juvenile Status, U visas, and T visas. 
• Participate in legal screenings and follow-up interviews to determine eligibility for legal relief and facilitation of case placement with in-house or pro bono attorneys. 
• Support the program’s efforts to remain abreast of new developments in the law and to train staff on immigration and relevant aspects of family law. 
• Supervise legal assistants, interns, and staff attorneys on aspects of case work. Supervision of other attorneys is dependent on experience.
• Provide expert mentoring to pro bono attorneys from law firms handling children’s immigration cases. 
• Undertake own administrative tasks, including for casework (e.g., preparation and submission of filings, file maintenance, and recordkeeping), and social services referrals.

Organizational Services:

• Assist program leadership with the implementation of long-term program plans and contract / grant compliance. 
• Facilitate and/or participate in regular facility visits for the purpose of conducting legal intakes and KYR presentations for detained children. 
• Ensure a smooth operation of administrative aspects of the program such as processing referrals and the internal case placement process. 
• Ensure the timely and accurate entry of case information into shared databases. 
• Assist other program staff in completion of their workload during high-work/low- bandwidth periods. 
• Participate in stakeholder relationship activities, including trainings and meetings with community groups, government agencies, detention center staff, and other legal service providers. 
• Engages with internal CAIR Coalition committees and working groups to participate in the growth and strategy of the organization.

What Else You Should Know:

Position Type

Full-time exempt

Supervisory Responsibility

Yes

Reports To

Managing Attorney

Timeline

Deadline to Apply: Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

Start Date: Spring 2023

Salary 

$67,800-$83,750

Location 

This position will be based from the Washington, D.C. or Baltimore, M.D. Office. This job can be performed fully remotely for the right candidate.

Telework 

All CAIR Coalition staff, interns, and volunteers are working remotely. However, due to the duties and responsibilities of certain positions, certain staff members will be required to live within 30 miles of their assigned primary office. Staff have the option to work from the office following a hybrid model, as long as they are in compliance with CAIR Coalition's COVID-19 policies. 

COVID-19 Vaccination:

All employees are required to be fully vaccinated and boosted against COVID-19. To be fully vaccinated means having completed the full dosages required for the type of vaccine obtained as designated by the CDC. If boosters are subsequently recommended by the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) then employees will be required to receive the booster within thirty (30) days of their eligibility to access the boosters. 

Benefits

• CAIR coalition’s benefits package includes:
• Free gym access located in Washington, D.C.;
• Flexible working hours after successful completion of trainings and with approval of supervisor;
• Pre-tax commuter benefits for those living in the DMV;
• Subsidized health, dental insurance, and vision subsidized health, dental insurance, and vision insurance (CAIR Coalition pays a very high rate of the insurance package, for which we can provide additional information);
• An annual data reimbursement of $240
• life insurance valued at $50,000, as well as long and short term disability;
• the option to set up a Flexible Spending Account; and
• the option to set up a 403(b) account (the equivalent of a 401(k) account for non-profits) which the organization has the option, for all employees on an annual basis, to match at a certain percentage after one year of continuous employment.

Paid time off includes:

• 23 personal days per calendar year
• Up to 20 days of sick time per calendar year
• 7 hours of volunteer time
• Federal holidays
• Winter break closure
• 12 weeks of parental leave

How to Apply:

Submit your resume and a cover letter that explains your interest in this role with your Paylocity application. 

EEO Statement

Capital Area Immigrants’ Rights (CAIR) Coalition is an equal opportunity employer. In accordance with anti-discrimination law, it is the purpose of this policy to effectuate these principles and mandates. CAIR Coalition prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type and affords equal employment opportunities to employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability status, genetic information, protected veteran status, homeless status, or any other characteristic protected by law. CAIR Coalition conforms to the spirit as well as to the letter of all applicable laws and regulations. 

Anti-Racism Statement:

https://www.caircoalition.org/cair-coalitions-statement-becoming-anti-racist-organization 

Requirements

Competencies Required:

Legal Proficiency

The Senior Attorney demonstrates a solid understanding of legal concepts, allowing them to provide competent and client-centered services with limited supervision. The Senior Attorney effectively advocates through written and oral work and assists junior staff in doing the same. The Senior Attorney has experience litigating and preparing for hearings or interviews for clients with limited supervision. The Senior Attorney competently supervises aspects of the work of staff attorneys, legal assistants and interns on client relationships and legal strategy, research, and writing. The Senior Attorney demonstrates cultural competency and trauma-informed practices. 

Client and Programmatic Proficiency

The Senior Attorney competently handles, and supervises, all required program obligations (including KYRs, legal intakes, follow-up interviewing, case placement, direct representation services, and pro bono mentorship). The Senior Attorney manages their in-house and pro bono mentoring caseload to allow for appropriate prioritization and thoughtful use of time and resources. The Senior Attorney supervises junior staff to ensure programmatic efficiency and efficacy. The Senior Attorney exercises sound judgment and decision-making skills and identifies when issues must be elevated to leadership.

Administrative

The Senior Attorney ensures that all administrative aspects of their position (and that of their supervisees) are carried out without managerial intervention, including timekeeping, file maintenance, database entries, etc. 

Qualifications Required:

• JD and 3-5 years relevant experience in immigration law (SIJS experience a plus).
• Experience working with child clients preferred.
• Prior supervision experience preferred but not required.
• Written and oral Spanish fluency.
• Must be licensed to practice law in Maryland or Virginia, eligible to waive into the Maryland or Virginia bar, or willing to sit for the next scheduled bar exam.
• Driver’s license.
• Commitment to principles of equity and inclusion.
• Favorable results on background check including driving record, Child Protection Registry, and state and federal criminal records.
• Ability to work remotely temporarily but fulfill job responsibilities in-person as required.