School-Based Immigration Attorney — Protecting Families

Jewish Family Service of San Diego; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 74,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive health coverage

401(k) contributions

Life insurance

Paid time off

Job summary

Jewish Family Service of San Diego seeks a Staff Attorney to lead the school-based immigration legal services program in San Diego K-12 settings. The role focuses on keeping families together, supervising clinics, and guiding families before crises.

The Staff Attorney will manage removal defense and affirmative matters, supervise staff, and coordinate with schools. Requires a J.D., California-licensed preferred, and at least 1 year of immigration experience.

Qualifications

• J.D. and an active license to practice law, in good standing, in any U.S. state; California license strongly preferred.
• One year of immigration legal experience, including removal defense, preferred but not required.
• Demonstrated ability to provide culturally responsive, trauma-informed legal services to immigrant families, including parents in crisis.
• Ability to explain complex legal processes clearly and calmly to clients, school staff, and community audiences.
• Proven case management, legal research, and legal writing skills.
• Strong organizational skills, with the ability to balance a full caseload with urgent detention matters.

Responsibilities

• Conducts legal screenings and eligibility and risk assessments at weekly school-based clinics and family meetings; identifies possible relief and explains options.
• Manages a commensurate caseload of removal defense and affirmative matters before USCIS, ICE, the Immigration Courts, and the BIA as needed.
• Serves as the first legal responder when a partner school or family reports that a parent has been detained and coordinates next steps with staff.
• Guides families through preparedness planning before a crisis, including Caregiver’s Authorization Affidavits and other key documents.
• Presents Know Your Rights and family preparedness workshops for parents, caregivers, and school staff.
• Trains counselors, social workers, and administrators on referral pathways while maintaining attorney-client confidentiality.
• Maintains regular communication with clients and accurate records in the case management system.
• Tracks consultations, cases, and outcomes to meet reporting requirements and expands to additional schools.

Skills

Spanish fluency

Trauma-informed

Clear communication

Case management

Legal research

Legal writing

Independent work

Education

Juris Doctor (J.D.)

Tools

Microsoft Office

Adobe

Zoom/Teams

Job description

Jewish Family Service of San Diego seeks a Staff Attorney to lead the school-based immigration legal services program in San Diego K-12 settings. The role focuses on keeping families together, supervising clinics, and guiding families before crises.

The Staff Attorney will manage removal defense and affirmative matters, supervise staff, and coordinate with schools. Requires a J.D., California-licensed preferred, and at least 1 year of immigration experience.