Program Director - Legal Access Services For Ms. L. Class Members

About Acacia Center for Justice:

The Acacia Center for Justice (“Acacia”) provides legal support and representation to immigrants facing deportation through the development, coordination, and management of national networks of legal services providers serving immigrants across the country. Acacia’s goals are twofold: to support immigrant legal services and defense networks to provide exceptional legal services to immigrants; and to advocate for the expansion of these programs and the infrastructure critical to guaranteeing immigrants access to justice, fairness, and freedom. Acacia ensures accountable, independent, zealous, and person-centered legal services and representation to protect the rights of all immigrants.

Job Summary:

The Program Director (PD) will be responsible for the launch and management of a new, federally funded Legal Access program that provides legal orientation services to Class Members in Ms. L v. ICE, a lawsuit filed on behalf of families separated at the southwest border between January 2017 and January 2021. The PD is responsible for ensuring that all program contract deliverables are met and that the program functions consistent with Acacia’s values and mission. The PD will also manage the Acacia program operations team assigned to the Legal Access program for Ms. L Class Members, work collaboratively across programs within Acacia, and engage with government stakeholders and legal service providers (LSPs) to ensure that Class Members receive necessary and contracted services. The program is expected to run for a six-year period.

Primary Duties/Responsibilities:

• Manage internal Acacia program operations team working on the Legal Access program for Ms. L Class Members.
• Collaborate closely with units throughout Acacia, including with Acacia’s Budget and Resource Management (BRM), Legal, Research Evaluation and Data Analytics (REDA), Information and Technology Services (ITS), and Technical Compliance (TC) teams to ensure that Acacia complies with all contractual requirements and the program is effectively managed.
• Lead annual contracting and budgeting processes between Acacia and LSPs and coordinate preparation contractual materials for the Executive Office of Immigration Review (EOIR).
• Negotiate contractual terms with EOIR related to the administration of the Legal Access program for Ms. L Class Members.
• Regularly engage with government stakeholders, including the EOIR’s Office of Legal Access Programs (LAP), related to the Legal Access program for Ms. L Class Members.
• Regularly engage with LSP to support their work under the Legal Access program for Ms. L Class Members and ensure that they are meeting contractual obligations.
• Work closely with BRM to manage the program budget and ensure LSP compliance with budget requirements.
• Collaborate with REDA on submission of contractually required reporting and the general reporting framework for Legal Access program for Ms. L Class Members and to respond to ad hoc data requests from EOIR.
• Work strategically to strengthen the protections available to participants under the Legal Access program for Ms. L Class Members in coordination with the Policy and Communications teams at Acacia as well as external coalition partners invested in the work.
• Monitor technical assistance needs of legal service providers and collaborate with L&D team on technical assistance provision, including to continually identify promising practices among the provider network and to devise ways to disseminate information about such practices.
• Support other programs throughout Acacia on an as needed basis and provide back-up coverage from orientation Program Directors as needed.
• Support the development and launch of new programs within Acacia as needed.

Required Skills, Knowledge, Abilities:

• Strong management and leadership skills.
• A demonstrated interest in program administration and public policy.
• A desire to effectuate change in partnership with the government.
• Strong interpersonal and communications skills.
• Ability to think innovatively regarding best practices for program operation and management.
• Ability to manage work on multiple projects simultaneously, efficiently, and effectively.
• Ability to work collaboratively on a team and manage projects independently.
• Strong writing and research skills.
• Ability to work with people of diverse experiences and backgrounds.
• Demonstrated commitment to Legal Access and due process for people in deportation proceedings.
• Deep commitment to race equity and inclusion.

Preferred Skills, Knowledge, Abilities:

• Experience representing Ms. L Class Members.
• Experience with "know your rights" and other community education initiatives.

Education and Experience:

• Law degree, or at least ten years work experience as an accredited representative strongly preferred.
• Experience at immigration legal services provider organization.
• At least ten years of relevant immigration representation, government, or policy work experience, with three years managing federal contracts.
• Experience managing teams.
• Comparable work and educational experience will also be considered, particularly where the candidate has direct experience with the immigration legal system and has been personally impacted by it.

Compensation and Benefits:

Acacia has established an internal compensation philosophy that centers equity and pay transparency. The salary for this position is set at $146,000. The salary listed is just one component of Acacia’s total compensation package for employees. Supporting Acacia staff—both personally and professionally—is our priority.

• Medical/Dental/Vision- Some plans at $0 cost to the employee
• Employee Assistance Program
• 20 days per year of vacation time
• 12 days per year of sick time
• 5 personal days
• 4 organization-wide Wellness Days
• 11 observed holidays, including the last week of December.
• $2000 Professional Development Stipend
• Home office set-up stipend
• Internet Stipend
• 401k with 5% employer contribution, no employee participation required.
• Student loan repayment assistance.
• Gym Reimbursement

People of color and those who have been impacted by the criminal system and immigration system are strongly urged to apply.

To Apply:

Please upload a resume and cover letter at the link provided or email hiring@acaciajustice.org with Subject: ATTN: Human Resources / [Job Title], Acacia Center for Justice

Equal Opportunity Employment:

Acacia is an equal opportunity employer and seeks to recruit persons of diverse backgrounds and support their retention and advancement within the organization. We are committed to fostering a workplace culture inclusive of people with respect to their race, ethnicity, national origin, gender/gender identity, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, veteran status, marital status, age, disabilities, political affiliation, religious beliefs, or any other characteristic. Our commitment to justice and diversity also means providing a work environment that is welcoming, respectful, and engaging.

This job description is not meant to be an all-inclusive list of duties, responsibilities and requirements but constitutes a general definition of the position's scope and function within our organization.

Acacia Center for Justice is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will be considered for employment without unlawful discrimination based on race, color, creed, national origin, sex, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, military status, prior record of arrest or conviction, citizenship status, current employment status, or caregiver status.

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