Staff Attorney (Immigration)

Each year refugees and immigrants come to the United States to seek a better life and/or protection from persecution in their home country. To help them build their lives in the United States, IISTL offers pro-bono and low-bono legal services for these refugees and immigrants by providing competent and comprehensive immigration legal services.

IISTL operates several legal service contracts and seeks to hire a Staff Attorney who will provide legal services, including direct representation for ,immigrant and refugee clients seeking legal assistance. This position will also provide fee-based legal services to immigrants and refugees from a wide variety of backgrounds.

Education and Experience

• Bachelor's degree and Juris Doctorate
• Admittance to a State Bar
• Immigration law: 1 year (preferred)

Duties/Responsibilities

• Preparing and submitting immigration applications for the following:
  • Family reunification petitions;
  • Temporary Protected Status;
  • Adjustment of Status;
  • Asylum;
  • Special Immigrant Status for Afghans and Iraqis;
  • Special Immigrant Juvenile Status;
  • Waivers of inadmissibility; and
  • Additional benefits such as employment authorization documents, travel documents, renewal of permanent resident cards, Certificates of Citizenship, and FOIAs;
• Making appropriate referrals to other service providers and relevant community partners;
• Representing clients before U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, the Executive Office for Immigration Review, and the Board of Immigration Appeals, including attending immigration interviews, immigration court hearings, Infopass appointments, and other relevant courts;
• Assisting in the development of grants or contract proposals and reporting;
• Business development, including conducting outreach, leading trainings, and participating in networking activities;
• Maintaining bar membership through continuing legal education;
• Oversee the design, marketing, promotion, delivery and quality of the applicable programs, products and services.
• Strengthen operational capabilities through expanded use of technology, improved operational processes, and enhanced professional development.
• Maintain sound business practices and prudently manage resources within the approved program/grant budgets and in accordance with current laws and regulations.
• Assist with the recruitment, onboarding, training, and professional development of departmental staff.
• Organize workflows, set staff work goals, develop productivity standards, and appropriately delegate responsibilities to staff to achieve the overall organizational mission and program objectives.
• Prepare staff performance evaluations relative to the communicated performance objectives and provide appropriate feedback to each staff person in a constructive manner.
• Perform other appropriate duties as assigned.

Required Skills/Abilities

• Ability to prioritize and effectively manage multiple projects concurrently.
• Ability to meet deadlines.
• Ability to handle large caseload.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team as necessary.
• Ability to work collaboratively with internal and external customers.
• Ability to work productively in a multicultural environment and demonstrate respect for differences.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, including strong writing and demonstrated intercultural communication ability.
• High-level of proficiency in Outlook, MS Word, MS Access, MS Excel, and database programs.
• Ability to develop revenue-generating business.
• Extremely detail-oriented.
• Familiarity with various legal documents and criminal proceedings.
• Ability to build rapport with clients.
• Strong legal analysis, as well as written and oral advocacy.
• A demonstrated interest and passion for immigration law.
• Demonstrated support of IISTLs values by exhibiting respect for others, maintenance of confidential information and an appreciation of a multicultural workplace.
• Flexibility for occasional evening and community-based work required.

The above statements describe the job's essential responsibilities and requirements. They are not an exhaustive list of the duties that may be assigned to job incumbents.

Candidates of diverse backgrounds are strongly encouraged to apply.

An Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer

Services Provided on a Non-Discriminatory Basis

IISTL mandates that all employees and volunteers have proof of current COVID vaccination and booster with allowances for disability and religious exemptions.

The International Institute of St. Louis, a nonprofit organization, is our community's immigrant service and information hub. To learn more about the International Institute, visit our website at www.iistl.org.

Our programs and services for immigrants, their families, and the wider community are locally and nationally-acclaimed. We connect new arrivals with first-touch services and resources, engage foreign-born and the wider community, and build a more inclusive community. To apply through our website or to view other job openings, visit iistl.isolvedhire.com/jobs/