Description

Position Summary

Since 2009, Family Immigration Services (FIS) has provided high-quality, low-cost immigration legal services to immigrants and refugees in our community. Our staff is passionate, mission-driven, and team-oriented. As a DOJ-Recognized Organization, our program is authorized to provide direct immigration legal services through our partially accredited DOJ representatives.

FIS seeks a fully bilingual (English/Spanish) Advocate for Immigrant Crime Victims (Advocate) to represent immigrant crime victims who may qualify for one of the programs established by Congress in the interest of public safety.

Our program will work with the successful candidate to obtain the training and experience necessary for DOJ partial accreditation. With this accreditation, the Advocate will be able to work within our program to provide independent legal representation to clients before immigration agencies. (If the successful candidate is a licensed attorney, this process will not be necessary).

Until the successful candidate obtains accreditation, all legal work will take place under an attorney's supervision. The Advocate will also receive ongoing guidance from the program’s other accredited representatives.

The Advocate is a vital member of our team and critical to the success of our program. We offer a supportive and collaborative work environment, on-the-job training, and the opportunity to do work that matters in service to the community. 

Requirements

Essential Duties

•  Provide individualized legal immigration services appropriate to each client’s needs (under close supervision and oversight unless or until appropriate licensure or accreditation is obtained). Duties related to direct client representation include but are not limited to conducting in-depth client intake and evaluation of clients’ legal immigration needs, options and eligibility for FIS services; gathering evidence such as client and other witness written declarations or affidavits, police reports, photographs, medical and psychological evidence, and other relevant evidence; completing FOIA and criminal background investigations; preparing accurate and effective immigration forms and applications for clients; submitting fully prepared cases to the U. S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), U.S. Department of State (DOS) or other immigration agencies; and representing clients in interviews before immigration agencies where warranted.
• Engage in and document on-going training/professional development, including webinars and off-site training, to support accreditation, licensure and legal competency.
• Remain current on relevant updates and new information regarding immigration law. 
• If not already licensed to practice law, apply for DOJ accreditation after obtaining sufficient training and experience in the opinion of the Director. Timely renew accreditation or licensure.
• Work with others in FIS to promote cross-training and collaboration. Assisting other FIS legal representatives, including DOJ-Accredited Representatives or attorneys, with other immigration processes or legal cases. Represent clients in other areas of immigration law as requested with appropriate training and oversight. Incorporate volunteers into FIS work. 
• Provide information, assistance, and referrals to immigrant crime victim clients regarding victim’s rights, victim’s compensation, and related matters. Provide referrals to clients to internal Catholic Charities of Central Colorado programs and to external non-profits and other providers who may meet client needs. 
• Maintain accurate records and case files. Maintain documentation required to comply with grants, internal processes and tracking requirements, and agency and individual licensure. Maintain the confidentiality of all client documents and information.
• Participate in FIS projects such as legal clinics, Know-Your-Rights workshops, and other educational efforts.

Competencies

• Demonstrated self-starter with the ability to work independently with little supervision and collaboratively within a team.
• Demonstrated ability to work constructively with people of diverse backgrounds. 
• Demonstrated responsiveness and sensitivity to cultural differences. Ability to apply culturally appropriate skills in interactions with clients, co-workers, volunteers, partner agencies, and other community members. 
• Ability to establish, foster, and maintain effective working relations with a broad variety of groups, within and outside the organization. 
• Understanding of how the work of Catholic Charities upholds Catholic social teaching and willingness to represent Catholic Charities within agency guidelines. 
• Excellent verbal and written communication in English and Spanish. Strong problem solving, listening, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively and promote a team environment. Ability to work with professionals from other fields to assist clients.
• Detailed and strong organizational skills, with ability to prioritize multiple important tasks, meet deadlines, and work under pressure. 
• Excellent attention to detail.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and ability to work with new IT systems to manage data. 
• Demonstrated ability and willingness to develop a strong understanding of immigration law and procedure. 

Requirements for Non-Attorney Candidates

• Advanced proficiency in Spanish and fluency in English (verbal and written);
• Bachelor’s degree in related field or equivalent work experience; 
• Ability to learn complex concepts in immigration law;
• Strong commitment to supporting immigrants and refugees;
• Previous experience working with immigrants in a nonprofit or law setting strongly preferred; 
• Previous DOJ accreditation preferred, but not required.

Requirements for Attorney Candidates

• Advanced proficiency in Spanish and fluency in English (verbal and written);
• Admission in good standing to the bar of any state (Colorado preferred) or registration to take the Colorado bar exam at the time of application; 
• Ability to learn complex concepts in immigration law;
• Strong commitment to supporting immigrants and refugees;
• Experience in the field of immigration law preferred, but not required. 

Work Environment

• A majority of the assigned duties are performed in an office environment.
• The employee is subject to both inside and outside environmental conditions.
• Reasonable accommodation can be provided to enable people with disabilities to perform the described essential functions of this position.
• Occasional evenings and weekends are required to accommodate meetings and special events.

This description is not intended, and should not be construed, to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, skills, efforts, or working conditions associated with this job. It is intended to be an accurate reflection of the principal job elements essential for making compensation decisions. 

Compensation

• The salary range for this position is $47,000 - $54,000.
• Salary is dependent upon experience and qualifications, and the budget at the time of hiring.

Position Classification 

• Nonexempt 
• Full Time: 40 hours per week, Monday to Friday 
•  Grant Funded Position: Yes

Benefits 

• Discretionary Time Off (used for sick leave and vacation) 
• Spiritual Enrichment (2 hours monthly) 
• Employee Assistance Program 
• Generous Paid Holidays 
• Paid Leave and Unpaid Leave 
• Dental Insurance 
• Medical Insurance 
• Vision Insurance 
• Short-term Disability Insurance after 30 days of employment 
• Long-term Disability Insurance after 6 months of employment 
• Workers’ Compensation Insurance 
• Life Insurance 
• $2,000 Dependent Life Insurance for spouse and each eligible child 
• $50,000 Term Life/AD&D (accidental death & dismemberment) Insurance
• Pension Plan (6-8% of wages plus interest) with 20% vesting after 1 year of service 
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness 

Equal Employment Opportunity 

Catholic Charities is dedicated to the principles of equal employment opportunity. We prohibit unlawful discrimination against applicants or employees on the basis of age 40 and over, race (including traits historically associated with race, such as hair texture and length, protective hairstyles), sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, color, religion, national origin, disability, military status, genetic information, or any other status protected by applicable state or local law. This prohibition includes unlawful harassment based on any of these protected classes. Unlawful harassment includes verbal or physical conduct which has the purpose or effect of substantially interfering with an individual’s work performance or creating an intimidating, hostile, or offensive work environment.

Applicants and employees need not be Catholic. However, all employees are governed by Canon Law or the teachings of the Catholic Church.

This employer participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your I-9 Form information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S.