Staff Attorney
Company: International Rescue Committee
Location: Denver
Posted on: November 20, 2023
Job Description:
Requisition ID: req45689 Job Title: Staff Attorney Sector: Legal
Employment Category: Fixed Term Employment Type: Full-Time
Compensation: USD 67,000.00 - 75,000.00 Annually Location: Denver,
CO USA Work Arrangement: Hybrid
Job Description
IRC BACKGROUND: Founded in 1933, the IRC is a leading nonsectarian,
voluntary organization providing relief, protection and
resettlement services for refugees and victims of oppression or
violent conflict. One aspect of the IRC is to assist refugees
resettling in the United States. The IRC opened a Denver office in
2016 to provide reception and placement services to newly arrived
refugees. Since then, IRC has served more than 2,400 refugees,
Special Immigrant Visa recipients, asylum-seekers, asylees,
Amerasians, Cuban Haitian Entrants, secondary migrants, immigrants,
Afghan humanitarian parolees, and survivors of torture. Wraparound
program services and holistic supports aim to realize positive
impact in clients' safety, health, education, economic wellbeing,
and power. Some services are limited to refugees and other Office
of Refugee Resettlement (ORR)-eligible populations, while others
are open to a broader population of refugees, immigrants, and
forcibly displaced people. Through a combination of direct and pro
bono representation, IRC fills a gap in legal assistance for
non-detained individuals in removal proceedings before the Denver
Immigration Court. The IRC in Denver's approach is client-centered,
empowerment-focused, trauma-informed, and multigenerational.
Advancing racial equity and narrowing the gender gap are priorities
for the IRC in Denver. The team's efforts in this space are ongoing
and evolving. Current work is focused on participating in learning
and dialogue to deepen understanding and awareness of systemic
inequities and systems of oppression; building an internal
organizational culture that reflects a commitment to antiracism and
gender equality for clients as well as staff, volunteers, and the
broader community; engaging clients more deeply in making decisions
that affect them, whether at the individual, household, program, or
organizational level; using our power and influence to advocate for
rules, policies, and laws that address inequities experienced by
the people we serve and seek systemic change for the benefit of all
who are impacted by these inequities; undertaking intentional
efforts to shift dynamics and promote power sharing between
leadership and the broader team as well as between staff and
clients; and examining and changing practices in recruitment,
recognition, and other areas of employee engagement and talent
development to prioritize access to opportunity and work toward
full inclusion and belonging for clients, staff, and volunteers who
identify as Black, Indigenous, People of Color, and LGBTQI, as well
as those who have lived experience as refugees and immigrants. JOB
OVERVIEW: IRC seeks a Staff Attorney to join the IRC in Denver to
represent asylum seekers and other individuals facing removal
before the Denver immigration court. The Staff Attorney will bring
experience representing asylum seekers in immigration court and a
passion for this area of work. The position will work in
collaboration with community partners and will be part of the
Removal Defense Community of Practice, led by IRC's Immigration
Technical Unit (TU) at IRC's headquarters, which supports IRC's 24
legal service programs across the US. The IRC in Denver aims to
broaden access to immigration legal services across Colorado and
provide a continuum of legal assistance and support for
non-detained individuals seeking relief before the Denver
Immigration Court. The IRC will provide these services by hiring a
dedicated Staff Attorney responsible for providing both full,
direct representation and a subset of limited-scope legal services
to individuals in removal proceedings. Two-thirds of the clients
that receive direct representation under this funding will reside
in rural areas of Colorado that are historically underserved, such
as Summit, Eagle, and Garfield counties. The Staff Attorney will
regularly travel to these rural communities for in-person
consultations and provision of legal services, utilizing
partnership offices and library conference space for confidential
meetings. The Staff Attorney will also conduct community-based know
your rights sessions and legal orientation presentations, as
needed. MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES: Direct Legal Representation and
Program Management
- Conduct intakes with IRC clients and community members and
provide direct legal representation to individuals in removal
proceedings before the Denver immigration court.
- Provide limited scope assistance to individuals in removal
proceedings such as submission of the I-589 application for asylum,
motions to change venue, change of address forms, motions to
terminate, etc.
- Regular travel to underserved areas of Colorado to consult with
individuals in removal proceedings.
- Maintain up-to-date knowledge and expertise of changing asylum
and immigration policies through independent research and analysis,
regular trainings, and peer-to-peer consultation.
- Coordinate closely within IRC's multidisciplinary teams to
identify needs and facilitate referrals to services offered
in-house and through partnerships with external providers.
- Maintain accurate and up-to-date physical and electronic files
with detailed case notes, enter data in a timely manner, and meet
all case reporting requirements within established timelines and
standards.
- Ensure client and program data is collected consistently,
managed appropriately, and reported accurately in accordance with
program reporting requirements set by IRC.
- Position may supervise legal assistants and/or interns.
- Participate in community-based coalitions related to immigrant
rights and access to counsel.
- Serve as a strong advocate for human and immigrant rights.
Community Partnerships and Workshops
- Create and maintain a viable outreach strategy to cultivate and
maintain strong relationships with community-based organizations,
local immigration attorneys, and nonprofit legal providers.
- Collaborate with other IRC departments and partners to offer
community-based workshops or information sessions when demand
exceeds capacity to provide direct legal representation. JOB
REQUIREMENTS:
- Law degree (JD or LLM) from an ABA-accredited U.S. institution
and admission to any state bar;
- 1-3 years of experience providing direct representation in
immigration court and/or before USCIS to asylum applicants and
other immigrants seeking humanitarian relief; recent law school
graduates with substantial clinical legal experience may be
considered;
- Excellent legal research, writing, analytical, and
organizational skills;
- Ability to communicate clearly and effectively, both orally in
a courtroom setting and in writing;
- Bilingual in one or more languages of the immigrant population
(i.e., Spanish, French, Arabic), with a strong preference for
individuals with Spanish-language skills;
- Deep commitment to immigrant rights and working with immigrants
in need of humanitarian assistance;
- Trauma-informed and sensitive listening and communication
skills;
- Adaptable and flexible self-starter with ability to work
independently as well as collaborate with others, juggle multiple
priorities, and meet deadlines in a demanding work
environment.
- Must have a valid driver's license, reliable vehicle, active
insurance policy and ability to travel frequently in and around
Colorado to attend hearings and interviews and engage with clients
and community partners. Working Environment:
- Standard office environment with option for hybrid/remote work;
regular travel for participation in community outreach and legal
assistance events required.
- Ability to occasionally work flexible hours, including nights
and weekends, may be required. Posted pay ranges apply to US-based
candidates. Ranges are based on various factors including the labor
market, job type, internal equity, and budget. Exact offers are
calibrated by work location, individual candidate experience and
skills relative to the defined job requirements. Commitment to
Diversity and Inclusivity: IRC is committed to building a diverse
organization and a climate of inclusivity. We strongly encourage
applications from candidates who can demonstrate that they can
contribute to this goal. Gender Equality: IRC is committed to
narrowing the gender gap in leadership positions. We offer benefits
that provide an enabling environment for women to participate in
our workforce including parental leave, gender-sensitive security
protocols and other supportive benefits and allowances.
Professional Standards: The IRC and IRC staff must adhere to the
values and principles outlined in IRC Way - Global Standards for
Professional Conduct. These are Integrity, Service, Equality and
Accountability. In accordance with these values, the IRC operates
and enforces policies on Beneficiary Protection from Exploitation
and Abuse, Child Safeguarding, Anti-Workplace Harassment, Fiscal
Integrity, and Anti-Retaliation. Equal Opportunity Employer: We are
an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company.
We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color,
national origin, sex, gender, gender expression, sexual
orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability
status. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are
provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job
application or interview process, to perform essential job
functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of
employment. Please contact us to request accommodation. US
Benefits: We offer a comprehensive and highly competitive set of
benefits. In the US, these include: 10 sick days, 10 US holidays,
20-25 paid time off days (depending on role and tenure), medical
insurance starting at $145 per month, dental starting at $7 per
month, and vision starting at $5 per month, FSA for healthcare,
childcare, and commuter costs, a 403b retirement savings plans with
up to 4.5% immediately vested matching contribution, plus a 3-7%
base IRC contribution (3 year vesting), disability & life
insurance, and an Employee Assistance Program which is available to
our staff and their families to support counseling and care in
times of crisis and mental health struggles. #LI-NN1
#LI-Hybrid
Keywords: International Rescue Committee, Denver , Staff Attorney, Legal , Denver, Colorado
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