Director Of Legal Services - Immigration And Refugee Services

Description

Catholic Charities Community Services (CCCS) is a leading provider of quality immigration Legal Services in New York City and the Lower Hudson Valley. CCCS’ Division of Immigrant and Refugee Services provides low-income New Yorkers with free, comprehensive immigration services using a variety of service models, including full representation, community clinics, pro se workshops, and a robust pro bono program. Legal staff represent clients before USCIS, EOIR, and in state and federal courts, in cases ranging from complex removal defense to affirmative applications. The Division’s legal programs – Unaccompanied Minors and Immigration Legal Services– comprise more than 130 staff members. The Division’s other departments are Refugee Resettlement, the International Center, the Immigration Hotline, and the Day Laborers program; together, the Division has more than 250 staff members, volunteers, and interns.

Position Summary: Under the supervision of the Co-Director of Immigrant & Refugee Services, the Director of Legal Services will lead the Division’s diverse legal programming. This includes overseeing comprehensive immigration Legal Services provision, contract compliance, and budgets; and providing leadership and support for legal teams and programs. The position is responsible for strategic planning as well as program design and implementation. The Director will work with external stakeholders and with partners, including senior leadership, throughout the Division and the agency.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Provide strategic direction, leadership, and management of services and activities across legal program areas.
• Provide and ensure high-quality supervision, mentorship, and training for all legal staff; ensure that staff members are equipped to meet their goals and objectives; directly supervise Managing Attorneys and other staff.
• Apply extensive knowledge of law, practice, and client populations to ensure a high standard of trauma-informed representation and client services, in accordance with program guidelines.
• Oversee continuous quality improvement processes throughout the legal programs; ensure that supervisors have the tools needed for successful program implementation.
• Collaborate on development of new programs and initiatives, including planning, implementation, and quality assurance.
• Oversee practice and supervision protocols, and develop new procedures as needed.
• Manage professional development and engagement opportunities for all legal staff.
• Conduct ongoing review and improvement of database, case management, file, and tracking systems, in partnership with Program, Operations, and Executive Office colleagues,
• Coordinate and support communication and teamwork across legal programs and with the Division and Agency; and foster unity of vision, purpose, and mission.
• Oversee recruitment, hiring, onboarding, and training of new staff.
• Develop and manage program grants and contracts, including implementation and compliance. Communicate with funders and partners on program and contractual matters.
• Work closely with Development, Contracts, and other colleagues on funding opportunities. Prepare proposals and renewals and negotiate with funders.
• Partner with Finance, Operations, and other colleagues to ensure budgetary compliance; oversee revenue and expenses; and facilitate invoicing, allocations, and forecasting.

• Coordinate programming with other CCCS divisions and affiliate agencies serving immigrant populations. This may include partnering on program design and planning, as well as individual referrals.
• Work closely with the Agency’s Human Resources Department and hiring managers on recruitment, hiring, and other personnel issues.
• Ensure appropriate communication and implementation of agency policies, procedures, programming, and initiatives.
• Prepare internal and external reports, such as Board, funder, and program reports.

• Represent CCCS with external partners and other stakeholders, including government agencies, advocacy groups, legal service providers, community groups, and the media. Collaborate on issues such as advocacy, best practices, litigation, and law reform.
• Develop and maintain relationships with community-based organizations, advocates, practitioners, and other stakeholders. Promote the Division's visibility and impact within the governmental, nonprofit, and philanthropic sectors.
• Work closely with private and government funders to ensure viability of the Division’s legal programs.
• Monitor and track issues in need of advocacy and elevate trends to stakeholders.
• Facilitate and conduct community and public education, outreach, and training.
• Other duties, as assigned.

PAY: $150,000 - 170,000 per year

Qualifications:

• JD and active status as member in good standing of the bar in any state or D.C.
• At least seven years of post-JD experience in immigration law, preferably with experience in removal defense and pro bono programing.
• Minimum of five years supervising and mentoring others, including supervision of supervisors.

• Demonstrated leadership skills.
• Highly motivated self-starter with strong problem-solving skills.
• Demonstrated project and time management skills, ability to work in a fast-paced environment, and ability to prioritize multiple complex tasks and use resources wisely.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with an aptitude for building relationships across disciplines, job titles, and agencies.
• Strong understanding of Legal and program management principles, including knowledge of grant-writing and budget creation.
• Excellent writing, research, and analytical skills. Strong attention to detail required.
• Ability to work independently and in a highly collaborative team environment.
• Demonstrated commitment to and experience in public interest law and immigration Legal Services.
• Demonstrated knowledge of trauma-informed, client-centered, and culturally and linguistically responsive services and principles.
• Ability to work and communicate effectively and sensitively in a diverse and multicultural environment.
• Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) and utilization of DEI lens in work.

Position Type and Expected Hours of Work:

This is a full-time position that will require work at the Division’s primary location in lower Manhattan and occasionally at other CCCS offices and affiliates, community-based sites, and courts. A willingness to travel throughout the Archdiocese is required. Days and hours of work are 9:00am-5:00pm, Monday through Friday, with some weekend and evening hours as needed.

Working conditions and physical demands required:

The demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

• Travel at least 25% of the time using reliable transportation, traverse city streets, occasionally ascend and descend stairs, and be exposed to outside weather conditions.
• Remain stationary at a workstation and meetings; use computer at least 75% of the time.
• Remain stationary and/or ambulate during trainings and presentations.
• Carry a laptop to and from work locations.

Please include a cover letter with your application. Applications without cover letters will not be considered.