Director of Legal Services

The U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants (USCRI), established in 1911, is a nongovernmental, not-for-profit international organization dedicated to addressing the needs and rights of refugees and immigrants. USCRI, working with nearly 200 affiliates, provides legal, social, and health services to refugees, unaccompanied migrating children, trafficking survivors, and other immigrants in all 50 states, El Salvador, Honduras, Kenya, and Mexico. USCRI advocates for the rights of refugees and immigrants both nationally and globally, helping to drive humanitarian policies, practices, and law. To learn more about our work, please visit our website at www.refugees.org.

OVERVIEW

The Director, UAC Legal Services Serving as the primary leader for UAC legal programming, provides leadership, operational oversight, and programmatic direction for USCRI’s Unaccompanied Children (UAC) Legal Services program, ensuring the effective implementation, quality, compliance, and growth of legal services for children in the care of the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR). The Director oversees the legal services personnel supporting this program across multiple locations; leads legal orientations, consultations, direct representation, quality assurance, staff development, data reporting, and program performance initiatives; and ensures compliance with grant requirements and organizational standards. Reporting to the Senior Director, the Director also serves as a subject matter expert on immigration law, legal protections, and relief options available to unaccompanied children.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Provide overall leadership, management, growth, and service delivery for USCRI's UAC Legal Services program.
• Manage and supervise Attorneys and other legal services leadership personnel.
• Ensure consistent implementation of program policies, procedures, and quality standards across all service locations.
• Monitor program deliverables and outcomes to ensure compliance with grant requirements, contractual obligations, and organizational goals.
• Oversee the provision of legal orientations, legal consultations, and direct legal representation for UAC in ORR care and Post-Release, ensuring high-quality, trauma-informed, child-centered legal services.
• Provide legal guidance and case strategy support to all legal services personnel supporting this program.
• Maintain expertise in immigration law, policies, procedures, and legal remedies affecting unaccompanied children.
• Provide direct representation in complex or high-priority cases as needed.
• Ensure high standards of legal ethics, professional responsibility, and client advocacy.
• Foster a collaborative, inclusive, and mission-driven work environment.
• Evaluate staff performance and provide ongoing feedback to ensure program excellence.
• Oversee data collection, analysis, and reporting activities. Ensure timely and accurate submission of programmatic and performance reports to funders and stakeholders. Identify program risks and implement corrective action plans when necessary.
• Develop and deliver trainings, presentations, and technical assistance related to immigration law and legal services for UAC. Ensure staff remain informed of evolving immigration policies, legal trends, and best practices.

All of the above duties and responsibilities are essential job functions. All job duties indicated are not to be considered an exhaustive statement and other job-related duties may be assigned as required by the supervisor. Regular domestic travel may be required to conduct site visits, provide training, monitor program compliance, and represent USCRI at meetings and conferences.

REQUIREMENTS

• J.D. from an accredited law school
• Active membership in good standing with at least one state bar
• Minimum of seven to ten years of progressively responsible immigration legal experience, including substantial experience representing children and vulnerable populations.
• Minimum of five years of supervisory and program management experience, including ability to supervise legal professionals across multiple locations.
• Demonstrated expertise in immigration law and relief options available to unaccompanied children.
• Must be able to work effectively in a fast-paced and evolving environment.
• Experience managing federally funded programs and grants preferred.
• Experience with ORR-funded legal services programs strongly preferred.
• Commitment to serving immigrant children and advancing USCRI’s mission.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

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

ADDITIONAL NOTES

• Please submit a resume with a cover letter describing your interest and qualifications with your online application.
• References will be required at time of the final interview.
• No telephone calls please. Position will remain open until filled.
• Work Location: In-person at one of the following locations: Arlington, VA; Houston, TX; San Diego, CA; or Dearborn, MI.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants is an equal opportunity employer. We maintain a policy of equal employment opportunity without regard to race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, domestic partnership status, marital status, physical or mental disability, AIDS/HIV status, age, political affiliation, genetic information, veteran status or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.