Status: Full-Time, Exempt
Location: Newark, NJ
Application Deadline: May 26, 2023
Salary Family: $75,000-$95,459
For consideration, please attach your Cover Letter and Resume to the online application in addition to answering the Application Questions.
SUMMARY OF PRINCIPAL RESPONSIBILITIES
The Legal Services Director provides leadership to the New Jersey Immigrant Rights Program with a particular focus on the administration, management, and development of the Legal Services Project. They provide direct supervision to a team of Managing Attorneys who oversee the legal work of Staff Attorneys, Accredited Representatives, Legal Assistants, and Interns. They represent the Immigrant Rights Program in AFSC national networks, coalition meetings and at meetings with government agencies and other stakeholders. They are also responsible for developing and implementing projects with the Organizing and Advocacy Director. The Legal Services Director is responsible for coordinating and conducting immigration law and policy presentations, and for responding to inquiries from media and immigrant service providers, and developing and maintaining case management systems.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS/RESPONSIBILITIES: The key responsibilities of the Legal Service Director include the following:
- Provide overall leadership to and management of the Immigrant Rights Program in collaboration and consultation with the Organizing and Advocacy Director.
- Oversee the administration, management, and development of the Legal Services Project.
- Represent the New Jersey Immigrant Rights Program in AFSC national networks and in local coalition work.
- Provide leadership within AFSC on policy positions related to immigration issues, particularly immigration law related issues.
- Provide direct supervision to the Managing Attorneys who oversee the legal work of Staff Attorneys, Legal Assistants, and Law Student Interns. Support Managing Attorneys in their supervisory roles.
- Oversee and review, as necessary, legal service systems such as fees schedule, appointment system, case management, case selection criteria and income eligibility guidelines.
- Coordinate and conduct immigration law and policy presentations.
- In collaboration with the Organizing and Advocacy Director, support AFSC’s development department and leadership in fundraising efforts for the program. In collaboration with AFSC’s Development and Finance Departments, submit grant proposals, narrative and statistical reports, and monitor and manage grant spending.
- In collaboration with the Organizing and Advocacy Director, develop and support efforts to engage legal services clients and staff in organizing and advocacy efforts.
- In collaboration with the Organizing and Advocacy Director and with AFSC’s Communications Department, generate media content on immigration issues, including op-eds, blog posts and press releases. Respond to media inquiries on immigration law and policy issues.
- Recruit and/ or maintain a local program committee of volunteers who will help to (a) season ideas related to program work, (b) network with a cross section of the community, especially with persons where programs are offered, and (c) assist in carrying out program work as volunteers.
- Oversee use of case management systems, including Docketwise.
- In collaboration with the Associate Regional Director and the Organizing and Advocacy Director, the US Migration Director, and AFSC’s Strategy, Learning and Impact unit, develop Theories of Action to support AFSC’s strategic plan.
- Support administrative staff and needs in New Jersey offices.
- Monitor Immigrant Rights Program income and expenses; support the Associate Regional Director in developing the program budget.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
EXPERIENCE:
- JD and Bar Admission
- Supervisory, program, and grant management experience.
- Extensive experience with immigration law, procedures and policy.
OTHER REQUIRED SKILLS AND ABILITIES:
- Strong written and oral communication skills.
- Experience and comfort with public speaking.
- Understanding of and willingness to apply principles behind movement lawyering.
- Demonstrated cultural competency.
- Fluency in Spanish preferred.
- Ability to communicate effectively and build mutually respectful relationships with co-workers, clients, and the public.
- Self-motivated, detail oriented, well-organized, able to prioritize assignments and workload.
- Familiarity with software applications in a Windows and cloud-based environment, including Microsoft Office and Docketwise.
- Willingness to travel, and ability to work occasional weekends and evenings.
- Ability to work effectively and comfortably with Quaker principles.
- Commitment to Quaker values and testimonies. Understanding of and compatibility with the principles and philosophy of the American Friends Service Committee including non-violence and the belief in the intrinsic worth of every individual.
- Understanding of and commitment to the principles, concerns, and considerations, of AFSC in regard to issues of race, class, nationality, religion, age, gender and sexual orientation, and disabilities. Demonstrated ability to work and communicate with diverse staff.
COMPENSATION: Salary Family ($75,000-$95,459); Comprehensive medical and hospitalization plan; term life, accident and salary continuation insurances, defined benefit pension plan, plus fringe benefits; participation in unemployment and worker’s compensation and social security.
The American Friends Service Committee is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer. Qualified persons, including those who are formerly incarcerated, are encouraged to apply regardless of their religious affiliation, race, age, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation or disability.
AFSC maintains a deep commitment to a mandate of care for our staff and communities, and thus requires vaccination and at least one booster for COVID-19; as well as adherence to social distancing, masking, and office occupancy protocols.
“AFSC’s Central Office and some of its offices in the U.S. are unionized workplaces. This position is represented.”
The American Friends Service Committee is a smoke-free workplace.