Temporary Staff Attorney (Children & Youth Advocacy Program)

National Legal Aid & Defender Association; Seattle (WA); On-site; USD 87,000 - 155,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Fully paid health, vision and dental

403(b) employer contribution

Paid health-related leave

Generous paid vacation

Paid holidays

Disability, life, AD&D and long-term

Professional development opportunities

Transit subsidy

Free onsite parking

Job summary

Northwest Immigrant Rights Project seeks a temporary Staff Attorney for the Children and Youth Advocacy Program in Seattle. The role involves direct representation for immigrant clients, including removal proceedings, and outreach to the community. Fluency in English is required; a second language is preferred.

The position runs for 12 months with possible extension. The CYAP team handles SIJ, asylum, U visas, DACA, and related matters, with clinics and court appearances as part of regular

Qualifications

• This is a temporary staff attorney position based in Seattle.
• Applicants must be fluent in English; bilingual abilities preferred.
• JD needed with admission to a bar and ability to practice immigration law.

Responsibilities

• Provide direct representation in removal proceedings before Immigration Court and appeals.
• Represent applicants before USCIS and the Department of State.
• Conduct intake interviews, community outreach, and legal clinics.
• Analyze cases for eligibility under immigration laws and policies.
• Maintain up-to-date files and assist with grant reporting duties.
• Participate in NWIRP outreach and development efforts.

Skills

Immigration law

Client advocacy

Community outreach

Legal representation

Education

Juris Doctor (JD)

Tools

Westlaw

LexisNexis

MS Office

Job description

Summary

Position Description: Northwest Immigrant Rights Project (NWIRP) seeks a temporary Staff Attorney to work in the Children and Youth Advocacy Program (CYAP) unit as part of our Seattle office. Applicants must be fluent in English, with proficiency in at least one additional language preferred. The applicant must be able to start the position as soon as possible. This role is for a 12-month engagement, with the possibility of extension.

As a temporary 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 Children and Youth Advocacy Program (CYAP) supports immigrant children and youth, particularly unaccompanied minors from Central America and Mexico facing removal proceedings. The CYAP team manages a wide range of cases, assisting young people with various forms of immigration protection, including Special Immigrant Juvenile (SIJ) Classification, Asylum, VAWA self-petitions, U visas, T visas, Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), Adjustment of Status, and removal defense before immigration courts. Additionally, CYAP attorneys handle Washington State court proceedings related to Special Immigrant Juvenile Classification eligibility and conduct monthly legal clinics for DACA applicants.

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 with no experience is $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 (16 days during your first year);
• 14 paid Holidays with the ability to float 5 holidays;
• Employer-paid disability, life, AD&D and long-term care insurance;
• Opportunities for paid professional development; and,
• Subsidized transit pass is available for the Seattle and Tacoma offices.
• Free onsite parking for its Granger, Tacoma and 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