Immigration Staff Attorney

Catholic Charities Diocese of Cleveland; Cleveland (OH); On-site; USD 57,000 - 73,000; Full time

Job summary

Catholic Charities Diocese of Cleveland is seeking an Immigration Attorney to provide competent legal advice and counsel to immigrants in our service area. The role emphasizes integrity, advocacy, and service.

Based in Cleveland, OH, this full-time exempt position requires a JD, an Ohio license, and strong communication skills. You will interview clients, prepare cases for USCIS, represent clients in court, and work with partner agencies to expand services.

Qualifications

• Juris Doctor degree from an accredited law school.
• Active Ohio law license in good standing or pending admission required within 90 days.
• Must be admitted to the Ohio State Bar in good standing during the first 90 days.
• Fluency in a foreign language strongly preferred.
• Experience in immigration law preferred.
• Strong organizational and multitasking skills; able to work independently.
• Willing to work evenings, holidays and weekends.
• Valid Ohio driver's license.
• Proficient with computers and Microsoft Office.
• Fingerprinting for background check is required.

Responsibilities

• Interview and screen clients for legal services and provide brief advice.
• Prepare cases for submission to USCIS.
• Represent clients in Immigration Court, before USIS District Office and BIA.
• Assist in the development of grant-funded programs and fee-based legal initiatives.
• Collaborate with community agencies and attorneys serving immigrants.
• Assist with public education and outreach in the community.
• Maintain client files and submit monthly/annual statistical reports.
• Travel to detention facilities and community locations to meet clients.
• Maintain confidentiality of client information.
• Keep knowledge up-to-date on immigration law requirements.

Skills

Immigration law

Client counseling

Legal research

Oral & written comms

Education

Juris Doctor (JD)

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

• Location 7911 DETROIT AVE,Cleveland, OH, 44102-2815,United States
• Base Pay $56,849.15 - $73,193.28 / Year
• Employee Type FT Exempt
• Required Degree Doctorate
• Manage Others No

Description

Looking for a rewarding career with a purpose?

If you are a compassionate and dedicated person looking for an opportunity to make a difference in society, we encourage you to apply. Catholic Charities isn't just an organization that provides help to those in need in our communities- it's a place where employees are encouraged to live purpose driven lives, professionally and personally. Join our team as we provide help and create hope for those in need.

At Catholic Charities, we serve everyone, regardless of belief or background, and we employ qualified individuals who commit to our mission with the goal of transforming lives for the better. One need not be Catholic to join our workforce nor to access our services.

Overview

Promote and support the mission of Catholic Charities by providing competent and reliable legal advice and counsel to immigrants in our service area.

Responsibilities

• Ensure that the activities of this position and relevant programs are consistent with the mission, vision and values of Catholic Charities, Diocese of Cleveland.
• Interview and screen clients for legal services and provide brief advice and legal counsel when appropriate.
• Prepare cases for submission to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
• Represent clients in Immigration Court, before USIS District Office and Asylum Officers, and the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA).
• Assist in the development of a variety of grant-funded programs and fee-based legal initiatives.
• Work collaboratively with community agencies and attorneys in serving the needs of immigrants.
• Assist with public education in the community and in collaborating with other partner agencies.
• Assist volunteers working in the immigration program.
• Keep up-to-date client files (both paper files and electronic files in the case management system) for the submission of monthly and annual statistical and grant reports.
• Participate in meetings with immigration legal service community-based organizations as required.
• Assist in the development and expansion of services and resources for immigration program.
• Maintain an environment of confidentiality regarding clients and related paperwork and/or electronic files.
• Maintain current knowledge about legal, regulatory, policy, and procedure requirements as it relates to immigration law.
• Continue to foster relationships with volunteers, clients, community agencies, related Catholic Charities organizations and fellow employees of Catholic Charities.
• Assist with special projects as assigned or as needed.
• Travel to the detention facilities, parishes, community groups and other locations as required in order to meet with clients and members of the community.
• Perform other duties as assigned to accomplish objectives.

Working Conditions and Physical Demands

• Normal office environment.
• Travel throughout service area required.
• Reading, writing and finger dexterity to manage correspondence, faxing, copying, answering phones, forms/documents, computer and client files required on a frequent basis.
• Tasks require visual perception and discrimination.
• Organizing and coordinating schedules.
• Analyzing and interpreting data.Communicating with the public.
• Frequent use of computer and telephone/cell phone.

Requirements

• Graduate of accredited law school (JD).
• Must be at least 21 years of age at the time of hire.
• Fluency in a foreign language strongly preferred.
• Experience working in immigration law preferred (law school experience will be considered).
• Experience working cross-culturally. Must be comfortable working with language barriers.
• Maintain an active status law license in the State of Ohio in good standing or have taken the July, 2015 Ohio bar exam with admission pending.
• Must be admitted to the Ohio State Bar in good standing during the first 90 days of employment.
• Must have strong organizational skills and the ability to organize and manage multiple projects.
• Must have excellent oral, written and interpersonal communication skills. Must be able to present verbal and written complex data in an understandable format.
• Must be self-directed and self-motivated and be able to work independently.
• Must be willing to work a flexible schedule that includes evenings, holidays and weekends.
• Ability to effectively and productively work with people of very diverse economic, cultural and administrative backgrounds, both professional and volunteers, as well as organizations and systems of service.
• Must have a valid Ohio Driver's License.
• Must have a good working knowledge of computers and familiarity with Microsoft Office software.
• Final applicant is required to be fingerprinted to complete background check.

Summary

• Career planning and development
• And more!

Learn More about Catholic Charities and our Programs by visiting:

Catholic Charities is an equal opportunity employer.

This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.