The Rocky Mountain Immigrant Advocacy Network (RMIAN) is a nonprofit organization that provides free immigration legal services and social services to individuals in immigration detention and to children and their families throughout Colorado. RMIAN believes that justice for immigrants means justice for all. RMIAN’s Detention Program provides free immigration legal and social services to individuals detained at the immigration detention center in Aurora, Colorado. RMIAN’s Detention Team provides direct representation, know-your-rights presentations, individual intakes, pro se workshops, pro bono referrals, social service support, and actively engages in advocacy to advance universal representation, end immigration detention, and advance justice for detained individuals. This work is done through a variety of programs and funding sources, including the Legal Orientation Program (LOP), a universal representation model (part of the SAFE Initiative), the National Qualified Representative Program (NQRP), other funding sources for direct representation and social services for detained individuals, a medical-legal advocacy partnership, and an extensive pro bono program.
Position Overview
RMIAN has an immediate opening for a Managing Attorney who will lead and manage the Detention Program, a growing team that currently consists of 11 attorneys and 3 legal assistants, and that includes an interdisciplinary partnership with RMIAN’s Social Service Project, a team of four social workers. The Detention Program Managing Attorney will oversee programs; supervise members of the team; oversee day-to-day operations, including grant management; liaison with external partners and funders; carry a very limited caseload; provide immigration law technical assistance; and work with RMIAN’s Leadership Team to carry out the organization’s mission.
Responsibilities:
· Program Leadership—serve as a leader to the growing team, including leading team meetings, helping create a culture of inclusivity and support, and identifying opportunities for advancement; manage program contracts; oversee reporting requirements; serve as a communicator and bridge between the program and the larger organization; identify and support development efforts; identify and support systems building; and ensure compliance to all relevant policies and procedures.
· Supervision of Staff—directly supervise immediate team leads (training, reviewing work product, providing guidance on case management, and conducting annual reviews), as well as provide supervision and mentorship for those on the team who are supervising others. Provide effective oversight of workflow and program obligations, and lead the development of unified legal materials and resources.
· Communication—serve as a representative on behalf of RMIAN’s Detention Program, with community partners, government stakeholders, media, and others.
· Direct Representation & Technical Assistance—carry a very limited caseload, including being available to co-counsel and provide support to program attorneys. Provide specialized training and individual technical assistance on detained removal defense to community members, government agencies, other nonprofit organizations, and social service providers.
· Organizational duties—participate in RMIAN’s leadership team and other committees, as needed; work within RMIAN’s mission, values and organizational commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion.
The ideal candidate:
• Is an experienced removal defense attorney who exhibits a deep understanding of how to run an immigration removal defense case (ideally with significant experience representing detained clients), but is now ready step back from direct legal services in order to focus on management, leading a growing program, and mentoring others who are providing direct legal services.
• Has significant management experience and is skilled at managing others—engages in direct communication, demonstrates empathy, is an active listener, demonstrates excellent problem-solving abilities, understands the importance of constructive feedback, and easily builds trust with colleagues.
• Is dedicated to client-centered legal representation and will serve as a mentor to the Detention Program on how to provide clear and digestible legal advice that empowers clients so they can make educated decisions about how to navigate their immigration cases.
• Enjoys problem solving and the process of improving systems to facilitate more effective legal advocacy.
• Understands how to prioritize. The ideal candidate is organized, efficient, and has a keen eye for detail while keeping an eye on the big picture. This person enjoys handling multiple tasks running in parallel and is able to triage in order to meet time-sensitive deadlines while working for larger goals.
• Is team-oriented and works in collaboration with RMIAN staff members, clients, and community partners with a focus on advancing RMIAN’s mission across all programs.
• Has a strong commitment to serve low-income and underserved communities, with an ability to relate to and communicate with a broad range of clients and colleagues.
• Acts with courtesy, patience, and poise; is confident speaking to groups; and is excited
to share RMIAN’s mission with others.
• Has a demonstrated commitment to antiracism, and promotes equity, justice, and inclusion at the organization both internally and externally.
• Is proficient in a second language, such as Spanish, French, Portuguese, Mayan language, or other.
Required skills and experience:
• Admission to any state bar.
• Minimum of five years representing clients in immigration proceedings.
• Management experience in immigration legal services.
• Deep dedication to immigration legal services, racial justice, and immigrant justice.
Location:
• This position is based out of RMIAN’s office located in Westminster, Colorado but requires frequent travel to the Aurora Contract Detention Facility in Aurora, Colorado. Clients are represented before the Aurora Immigration Court, Denver Immigration Court, and before the USCIS office located in Centennial.
• RMIAN’s operations are primarily remote during the COVID-19 pandemic, but subject to change.
Compensation:
• This is a full-time, salaried, exempt position. Salary is commensurate with experience; the range is between $70,000 to $85,000. Salary includes a generous benefits package, including excellent health insurance (100% covered by RMIAN), life insurance, professional liability insurance, short-term disability insurance, eligibility to participate in RMIAN’s Simple IRA retirement plan (RMIAN matches 3%) and flexible spending plan. RMIAN provides professional development opportunities, and paid vacation time and sick leave. RMIAN also provides a sabbatical policy after five years of employment.
If this profile calls to you, please send a tailored, authentic cover letter that explains (1) why this mission excites you; and (2) why this particular role is a great fit for you – along with your resume, writing sample, and list of references - to [email protected].
Applicants are encouraged to apply as early as possible. Interviews will be conducted on a rolling basis until the position is filled.
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