TITLE:
Directing Attorney

FLSA STATUS:
Exempt (Salary)

LOCATION:
Bakersfield, CA
Fresno, CA
Oxnard, CA
Los Angeles, CA
Central Valley, CA

HIRING RANGE:
$82,400.00 - $119,480.00, depending on experience.

About UFW Foundation: For 17 years, the UFW Foundation has mobilized farm workers across the country to advocate for more equitable policies, such as immigration reform, pesticide protections, heat standards, hazard pay and other worker protections. We engage constituents in systemic change to break the cycle of poverty while also providing critical services. In fact, the UFW Foundation is the largest federally accredited immigration legal service provider in rural California. The organization has staff in California, Arizona, Georgia, Illinois, Michigan, and New York.

SUMMARY: The Directing Attorney position will (1) provide overall project oversight; (2) supervise and mentor managing attorneys, attorney coordinators, and/or staff attorneys and other project staff; and (3) work closely with other UFW Foundation programs to drive an organizing culture which influences systemic change. This position will be located in California. This is a full-time exempt position. The Directing Attorney will be a member of the Community Advancement Services team. The Directing Attorney will report to the Immigration Legal Services Director.

The UFW Foundation seeks an individual with law practice experience or experience working with immigrant communities that can help the organization, in collaboration with the UFW Foundation’s various programs and departments, as well as its partners, to develop a service delivery model that will maximize the limited resources in rural communities and leverage relationships from urban centers.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING: (This is not an exhaustive list)

• Provide big picture vision and strategy to program community members served receive competent assistance with affirmative applications and removal defense cases;
• As needed, prepare and submit applications, legal briefs, and supporting documentation for immigration relief, including but not limited to: Naturalization, DACA Renewal, Family petitions, asylum, withholding of removal, U visa, VAWA, and adjustment of status with applicable waivers, refugee waivers, and SIJS;
• Collaborate with other department leadership and staff members to ensure broadest impact;
• Identify trends in Department of Homeland Services practices and community needs that will help inform advocacy efforts;
• Assist with the management of program budget;
• Oversee development of community education materials regarding removal defense immigration benefit resources and Know Your Rights;
• Provide support and assist with reports to program funders;
• Provide trainings and technical assistance to UFW Foundation executive team and others as needed;
• Regular travel to UFW Foundation service centers, and other locations, as needed per project necessary court hearings and trainings;
• Responsible for assisting with and ensuring successful program administration, which includes the following: implement office policies and procedures, manage grant results, ensure managing and staff attorneys and DOJ Accredited Representatives competently handle cases and maintain well-documented files, supervise managing attorneys and others as necessary, engage in community education events as necessary, and develop community partnerships.
• Serve as a spokesperson for the immigration program with the respective projects, grants and contracts:
• Support UFW Foundation immigration legal services department application workshops and other events, when possible;
• Work closely with Managing Attorneys to maximize case output;
• Support UFW Foundation’s fundraising goals; and
• Other tasks as needed.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Train and supervise managing attorneys. Provide general oversight over managing attorneys, attorney coordinators, staff attorneys, service providers (accredited representatives), support staff members (including legal assistants), fellows, and interns.
• Identify on-going training needs for the program to ensure managing attorneys, staff attorneys, service providers (accredited representatives), supporting staff members (including legal assistants), and others to maintain competency in immigration law.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS AND/OR QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bilingual, Spanish language;
• Detail oriented and strong writing skills;
• Excellent interpersonal skills, including good communication skills, listening skills and attitude;
• Ability to work both independently and under supervision;
• Ability to work flexible hours, including some evenings and weekends;
• Ability to keep track of projects and deadlines, and communicate progress in real-time;
• Problem solving/analysis and results driven;
• Dedication to mission and a genuine interest in immigrant and farm worker rights;
• Si Se Puede (It Can Be Done) attitude: the embodiment of a personal spirit that promotes confidence, courage and risk-taking;
• Valid driver’s license, access to an automobile, insurance, and willingness to drive to off-site locations .

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

LANGUAGE SKILLS:

Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations. Ability to write legal briefs, reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals. Requires ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, clients, customers, and the general public.

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS:

Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as discounts, interest, commissions, proportions, percentages, area, circumference, and volume. Ability to apply concepts of basic algebra and geometry.

REASONING ABILITY:

Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.

PREFERRED REQUIREMENTS AND/OR QUALIFICATIONS:

Previous experience working with the Latino community.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE:

• Juris Doctor;
• 5 years of affirmative immigration relief services and a strong knowledge of immigration remedies are required;
• 3 years of immigration attorney and staff supervisory experience; and
• Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook) experience.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS:

Licensed attorney in good standing.

COMPENSATION:

The annual salary pay range for this position is $82,400.00 to $119,480.00, and benefits include:

• Accruals of 2, 3, and 4 vacation weeks per year depending on tenure
• 16 paid holidays (includes a personal day)
• 1 mental health day per calendar year
• Paid sick days
• Health, dental, and vision benefits
• Life insurance
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Employee Assistance Program for support with personal and work-related challenges
• 403(b) retirement plan with 2% employer match (providing employee meets criteria)
• 401(k) retirement plan with no employer match (providing employee meets criteria)
• Employer-sponsored pension plan
• Supplemental insurance (within 30 days of hire date)
• Professional development opportunities and access to thousands of courses
• 20% discount for immigration services through the UFW Foundation
• Many discounts, such as entertainment discounts for movie theaters, theme parks, etc. via ADP Lifemart, TicketsatWork, and UnionPlus

ADDITIONAL AND/OR SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS AND/OR QUALIFICATIONS:

COVID-19 Vaccination Requirement – The UFW Foundation is committed to ensuring the health and safety of our community, employees, and program participants. While vaccinations and boosters are not currently mandatory, we strongly recommend their use as a crucial measure in reducing the transmission of COVID-19. It is imperative to emphasize that if a pandemic situation arises that necessitates vaccines and/or boosters, we will reinstate this requirement to protect everyone effectively. Vaccinations have proven to be effective in preventing the spread of the virus and reducing severe illness. By choosing to get vaccinated, individuals contribute to the collective effort in mitigating the impact of the pandemic and creating a safer environment for all. We will continually monitor the evolving situation and follow the guidance of health authorities.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel and reach with hands and arms. The employee frequently is required to stand, walk, sit, and talk or hear. The employee must regularly lift, move, carry, push, or pull up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift, move, carry, push, or pull up to 25 pounds.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER:

The UFW Foundation is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We believe a strong commitment to equal employment opportunity is more than a legal and moral obligation – it is also a sound business practice to realize the potential of every individual. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive work environment for all! In order to provide equal employment and advancement opportunity to all individuals, employment decisions at the UFW Foundation will be based on merit, qualifications, and abilities. Except where required or permitted by law, employment practices will not be influenced or affected by an applicant’s or employee’s race, color, religion, sex/gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, marital status, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, ancestry, disability, genetic information, age, or any characteristic protected by law.

We encourage all qualified applicants to apply for a position fighting for farm worker and immigrant communities! The UFW Foundation believes in second chances. As an organization, we will rely on individualized assessments in the hiring of those with past criminal convictions. The UFW Foundation will make reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with qualified disabilities under the Americans with Disabilities Act unless doing so would result in an undue hardship. Persons of color, gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people, persons with disabilities, persons who have lived in poverty, formerly incarcerated, persons 40 years old or older, and people fluent in more than one language are strongly encouraged to apply for open positions with the UFW Foundation.

This policy governs all aspects of employment, including selection, job assignment, compensation, counseling, discipline, termination, access to benefits and training. Our commitment to equal opportunity employment applies to all persons involved in our operations and prohibits unlawful discrimination by any employee, including supervisors and co-workers.