Esperanza Immigrant Rights Project, a program of Catholic Charities of Los Angeles, Inc., is a non-profit law firm which provides community education and legal representation to immigrant adults, families, unaccompanied minors, individuals with mental health issues, and in cases involving crimmigration. Esperanza has proudly provided legal services to immigrants and their families in Southern California for over 15 years. The immigration court system does not provide court-appointed counsel to individuals facing deportation who cannot afford an attorney, so this vulnerable population relies on our community education programs to obtain critical information about the process, understand their legal options and access assistance. Esperanza’s community education programs were established to more effectively meet this need and to guide pro se immigrants through the increasingly complicated and strained immigration system. Core services of the programs include legal orientations regarding removal proceedings and legal relief; intake and follow-up services; self-help workshops; and referrals for pro bono assistance or social services. More information can be found about Esperanza at www.esperanza-la.org

Responsibilities:

The Community Education Manager (“CE manager”) will oversee the Legal Orientation Program for Custodians (LOPC) and Call Center West. These programs are responsible for providing immigration education to unrepresented unaccompanied minors in removal proceedings. The CE manager will be responsible for day-to-day program operations. This includes scheduling team members to conduct program services including presentations, individual screenings and support, clinics, and other legal services as needed. The CE Manager will oversee data collection practices and reporting and participate in stakeholder relations, communications and attend high-level stakeholder meetings. The CE Manager will ensure that all materials used in their respective programs are up to date, approved for use, and up to organization-wide standards and industry best practices. The CE Manager supervises the team members of one of more community education programs. The CE manager will assign and delate duties as needed and conduct regular one-on-one meetings with direct reports. The CE Manager will conduct direct services as needed and subject to capacity. The CE Manager will report to the Director of Youth Immigration Services.

The Community Education Manager will engage in both substantive and operational tasks, which include:

• Ensure that the day-to-day activities and services of the programs are in contractual compliance.
• Supervise support staff including DOJ Accredited Representatives, Paralegals, and Administrative Assistants.
• Ensure all staff adhere to organization-wide standards in conducting program services.
• Supervise individual program staff’s work for quality assurance purposes.
• Oversee data management as it relates to funder and agency-specific reporting requirements.
• Engage in stakeholder relations at Immigration Court, with funders, and other key partners.
• Support the Director as a thought leader in program development activities, including the development and maintenance of program manuals and program materials.
• Support program staff’s professional development by conducting trainings, identifying trainings to be provided by outside partners, and creating a training schedule.
• Conduct program services as needed.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in related field or at least 3 years of related experience required.
• Proficiency in oral and written Spanish required.
• Experience working in a legal setting, especially with immigration and/or criminal law required.
• DOJ Full Accreditation, JD, or willingness to apply for accreditation required.
• Demonstrated ability to take initiative and work under pressure required.
• Passion for social justice for immigrants and vulnerable communities required.
• Experience working with vulnerable immigrant communities preferred.
• Experience in Community Education work strongly preferred.
• Familiarity with immigration removal proceedings preferred.
• Past experience managing or supervising program operations and/or staff preferred.
• Familiarity with substantive law related to vulnerable immigrant population issues preferred.
• Experience with popular education techniques a plus.
• Public speaking experience highly desirable.

To apply go to:https://catholiccharitiesla.org/employment-opportunities/