SURVIVOR SERVICES STAFF ATTORNEY

Nationalities Service Center (“NSC”) is hiring a full-time Staff Attorney to work within our Survivor Services Program. This position aims to provide culturally competent immigration legal services to survivors of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault and/or stalking.

About the Organization

NSC serves more than 5,000 immigrants and refugees each year from over 110 countries. We provide comprehensive services in immigration law matters, language access and proficiency, community transition and integration, access to health and wellness, and job readiness training for immigrants and refugees. NSC’s mission is to welcome and empower immigrants to thrive in our communities and pursue a just future. Our vision is that all immigrants achieve a life of safety and stability, sustainable opportunities, and meaningful community connections.

NSC’s Legal team works to protect and promote immigrants’ rights by providing free and low-cost legal information, advice, and representation to vulnerable immigrant populations. Our Legal team also engages in advocacy and education efforts in addressing local, state, and federal immigration policies. Our Legal team collaborates with our Survivor Services program to provide comprehensive services addressing the varied needs of our clients.

About the Position

The Survivor Services Program provides free legal advice and representation in immigration law matters to low-income survivors of domestic violence, crime, torture & human trafficking. The Staff Attorney will represent clients in matters before the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service (“USCIS”), U.S. Department of State, before the immigration court (“EOIR”), Board of Immigration Appeals (“BIA”) and federal courts and other federal agencies. The Staff Attorney in this position will represent immigrant survivors of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault and/or stalking.

Key Responsibilities

• Conduct screenings to identify individuals eligible for services.
• Conduct legal consultations and participate in general legal department intake.
• Prepare applications and petitions for submission to the appropriate agencies, including but not limited to petitions for U Visas, T Visas, Violence Against Women Act (“VAWA”) Self-Petitions, family reunification petitions and adjustment of status, filings with EOIR for clients in proceedings, work authorization and asylum applications.
• Represent clients before federal agencies including but not limited to USCIS and EOIR.
• Research and analyze law sources such as statutes, legal articles, and legal codes.
• Prepare legal documents such as briefs, memos, motions, and appeals.
• Maintain case files in a complete, professional manner in accordance with NSC procedures and legal requirements.
• Provide information to survivors regarding victims’ rights and available resources.
• Make appropriate internal and external referrals on behalf of survivors.
• Maintain regular communication with clients in accordance with applicable ethical standards and best practices.
• Manage caseload and adhere to deadlines.
• Oversee work of volunteers, including law students and pro bono attorneys.
• Participate in community outreach and educational activities.
• Provide training and technical assistance to other service providers to advocate for immigrant survivors.
• Meet program deliverables as set by funding requirements.
• Assist other staff in the production of internal and external reports.
• Participate in agency trainings and workshops including training in connection with domestic violence, dating violence, stalking, or sexual assault and related legal issues, and training on evidence-based risk factors for domestic and dating violence homicide.
• Attend and participate in weekly legal services department staff meetings, case review meetings, and cross collaborative meetings that involve and impact VOCA clients.
• Adhere to all applicable legal and ethical standards as well as VOCA funding guidelines.
• All NSC staff are required to assist in general administrative duties such as answering phones, processing mail, filing, file maintenance and other office tasks.
• Other duties as assigned within the scope of relevant funder requirements and agency mission.

Qualifications

The candidate should be passionate about NSC’s mission and have either demonstrated experience or a strong interest in working with immigrant survivors of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault and/or stalking. In addition, the candidate should possess:

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Basic understanding of computer operations and proficiency in Microsoft Office applications.
• Ability to work independently and within a team.
• Ability to pay close attention to detail.
• Ability to work with diverse populations and sensitivity to the needs of trauma survivors.
• Excellent organizational and time management skills.
• Ability to problem solve, take initiative and be self-motivated.
• Fluency in Spanish is highly preferred.
• One or more years of immigration law experience is preferred.

Attorneys must be members in good standing of the bar of the highest court of any State, the District of Columbia (D.C.), a U.S. possession, U.S. territory, or U.S. commonwealth. NSC will consider applicants sitting for the bar examination in summer 2023.

Other Requirements:

· COVID-Vaccine - NSC has determined that requiring that all staff who are working on site be fully vaccinated is the best way to protect our employees and the community.

· Working understanding of NSC’s mission, vision, values, programs and services, and business plan.

· Possesses strong interpersonal skills as demonstrated by compassionate, courteous, cordial, cooperative, and professional interaction with diverse groups of co-workers, external business partners, and the community.

· Adheres to all NSC and departmental policies and procedures.

· Attends all NSC in-services as required.

Location and Hours

This is a full-time, in-person position based in our Center City Philadelphia and/or Northeast Philadelphia office with potential for remote work three days a week. Our regular hours are Monday to Friday, 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. We regularly revisit and update our hybrid schedule in accordance with city, state, and federal guidelines and organizational need.

Compensation

The salary is $56,000-61,000 commensurate with experience. The benefits package includes generous vacation and sick leave; paid sabbatical leave; health, dental, and vision coverage; short-term disability, long-term disability, life insurance, 403(b) with an employer match.

HOW TO APPLY

NSC’s staff is comprised of individuals with diverse professional and lived experiences, fluency in multiple languages, and a deep knowledge of and commitment to the immigrant communities we serve. We value the diversity of our staff and highly encourage immigrants and persons of color to apply.

In your cover letter, please address how your unique experiences and background will contribute to the mission of NSC.

Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.

NSC is an equal opportunity employer committed to a policy of non-discrimination in all employment practices and does not discriminate based on race, ethnicity, religion, gender, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, nor any other basis protected under applicable law.