Bilingual Staff Attorney (Community Outreach Program)

National Legal Aid & Defender Association; Washington; On-site; USD 85,000 - 155,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

HSA/FSA options

403(b) retirement plan

Paid parental leave

Vacation time

Paid holidays

Disability insurance

Sabbatical leave

Relocation bonus

Transit subsidy

Onsite parking

Job summary

Northwest Immigrant Rights Project (NWIRP) seeks a full-time bilingual Staff Attorney to work in the Community Outreach Unit across NWIRP's four Washington offices, with preference for Granger or Wenatchee. Fluency in English and at least one other language is required; more languages are encouraged.

A two-year commitment is expected and start ASAP. As a staff attorney, you will provide direct representation, consultations, and community outreach/education to immigrant communities seeking

Qualifications

• Fluent in English and at least one other language; additional languages encouraged.

Responsibilities

• Provide direct representation in removal proceedings before the Immigration Court, appeals, and DHS proceedings.
• Represent individuals filing affirmative applications with USCIS and Department of State.
• Conduct presentations, workshops, legal clinics, and intakes by phone and in person.
• Assess eligibility for immigration protections/status under immigration laws.
• Maintain up-to-date files and knowledge of immigration policies affecting low-income immigrants.

Skills

Bilingual

Job description

Summary

Position Description:
Northwest Immigrant Rights Project (NWIRP) seeks a full-time bilingual Staff Attorney to work in the Community Outreach Unit as part of any of NWIRP's four offices, with preference for applicants seeking to join the Granger or Wenatchee offices. Applicants must be fluent in English and at least one other language, and additional languages are encouraged. The applicant must be able to start the position as soon as possible. A minimum two-year commitment to the position is expected.
As a staff attorney, you will offer direct representation, individual consultations, and community outreach and education to immigrant community members seeking immigration protections before the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and immigration courts. You may also handle additional immigration matters, including cases involving individuals in immigration detention.

About Northwest Immigrant Rights Project

Founded in 1984, Northwest Immigrant Rights Project (NWIRP) is a nationally-recognized legal services organization on the front lines of defending and advancing the rights of immigrants. With over 200 employees, NWIRP provides direct legal representation and assistance in immigration matters to thousands of people with low incomes who come from over 150 countries and speak over 60 different languages.
NWIRP challenges unjust policies through high-impact lawsuits and advocates for laws and policies that respect the rights of immigrants. NWIRP is also a trusted provider of immigration-related community education for immigrant communities and social service providers. NWIRP serves the community through four offices in Washington State (Granger, Seattle, Tacoma and Wenatchee), but the impact of our work is felt nationwide.
NWIRP's Outreach and Community Education efforts include providing valuable information to both client communities and service providers. We offer a range of topics such as Know Your Rights presentations, Immigration 101 for service providers, and other outreach activities addressing key issues affecting immigrant communities. Our limited services and pro se assistance are designed to support community members who may not be eligible for full direct representation, offering crucial help and guidance where possible.

Responsibilities

• Provide direct representation to individuals in removal proceedings before the Immigration Court, on appeal to the Board of Immigration Appeals or before the federal courts, and before the Department of Homeland Security.
• Provide direct representation to persons submitting affirmative applications with USCIS and the Department of State.
• Conduct presentations, workshops, legal clinics, and intakes, by phone and in person.
• Conduct case analysis to determine eligibility for immigration protections/status under the immigration laws.
• Maintain a working knowledge of significant policies, laws, practices, and trends in immigration law, particularly as it impacts low-income immigrants and those impacted by the criminal justice system.
• Establish, organize, and maintain files up to date.
• Perform administrative tasks related to grant reporting such as timekeeping, submitting timesheets, tracking training, and other duties in a timely manner.
• Participate in NWIRP’s outreach, community education, and development efforts; and,
• Perform other tasks and responsibilities assigned by supervisory staff depending upon NWIRP’s needs.

Benefits And Compensation

This is an exempt, salaried position, and the minimum annual salary for candidates awaiting admission to the Bar is currently $84,508.11. Candidates with no relevant experience, but admitted to the Bar, qualify for an annual salary of $87,362.92. Salaries increase for staff attorneys with specific experience. For example, candidates with 20 years of relevant experience will earn $127,560.20 annually, and the current maximum salary, based on 40 years of experience, is $155,214.80 annually.

Benefits

• Fully paid health, vision and dental plans for employee-level coverage with employer-funded HRA and HSA options;
• FSA and Dependent Care accounts;
• Automatic, employer contribution of 3% to 403(b) retirement plan;
• Generous paid health-related leave (12 days per year);
• Generous paid vacation (15 days during your first year);
• 12 weeks of paid parental leave after 6 months of employment, plus the ability to extend with State-paid leave;
• 14 paid Holidays with the ability to float 5 holidays;
• Employer-paid disability, life, AD&D and long-term care insurance;
• 4 weeks of paid sabbatical after every five years of employment at NWIRP;
• Eligibility to earn compensatory time;
• Opportunities for paid professional development;
• New employees may be eligible for a relocation bonus, per the CBA;
• Subsidized transit pass is available for the Seattle & Tacoma offices; and,
• Free onsite parking for the Granger & Wenatchee offices.

NWIRP is an eligible employer under the Federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program.
NWIRP is committed to providing a work environment free from discrimination and harassment. NWIRP does not discriminate on the basis of class, race, color, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, political ideology, age, creed, religion, ancestry, national origin, or the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability. Excepting any undue hardship, NWIRP will provide reasonable accommodations upon request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the selection process. Please contact [e-mail].

Reports To

Supervising Attorney