Staff Attorney, Detention and Deportation Defense Initiative

The American Friends Service Committee is a Quaker religious organization that promotes lasting peace with justice, as a practical expression of faith in action. Drawing on continuing spiritual insights and working with people of many backgrounds, we nurture the seeds of change and respect for human life that transform social relations and systems.

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POSITION DESCRIPTION

TITLE:                                                             Staff Attorney, Detention and Deportation Defense Initiative

JOB CATEGORY:                                           Exempt (Salary)

STATUS:                                                         Full-Time

TYPE OF EMPLOYMENT:                            Regular

DIRECT SUPERVISOR:                                 Managing or Supervising Attorney, Detention and Deportation Defense Initiative

REGION/UNIT:                                             US/Northeast   

LOCATION:                                                   Newark, NJ         Hybrid: minimum one day per week in office required

Application Deadline: Accepting applications until the position is filled. 

For consideration, please attach your Cover Letter and Resume to the online application in addition to answering the Application Questions.

GENERAL SUMMARY OF POSITION
The Staff Attorney will be part of the Detention and Deportation Defense Initiative, a publicly funded project that provides representation for immigrants in removal proceedings, including people in detention and people who are living in their communities. The Staff Attorney is responsible for direct legal representation of immigrants in removal proceedings or otherwise facing removal.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS / RESPONSIBILITIES AND ACCOUNTABILITIES

• Provide in-depth individual consultations and representation to indigent unrepresented immigrants before the Elizabeth, Newark and other Immigration Courts, the Board of Immigration Appeals, and federal District Courts and Courts of Appeals
• Draft habeas petitions, complaints, motions, briefs, and other federal court filings under the supervision of senior attorneys, with attention to due process, unlawful detention, and agency inaction claims.
• Participate in meetings with government representatives, jail staff, and service providers.
• Assist in the documentation of the project’s experiences and in the preparation of AFSC quarterly reports and reports to funding sources.
• Manage caseload and maintain client files in good order, including applications, letters, supporting documentation, and follow up work. Maintain client and case information in AFSC case management systems.
• Work with AFSC’s Social Workers to meet clients’ social services’ needs.
• In collaboration with AFSC staff and other stakeholders, engage in policy and advocacy work concerning issues raised by clients and constituents.
• Conduct presentations on immigration issues.
• If representing detained clients, monitor conditions and access at the detention centers and jails and other enforcement trends for use in reports and advocacy activities.
• Participate in AFSC staff meetings and case review.
• Regular attendance and punctuality are required.
• Operates safely in all conditions and follows policies and procedures.
• Other duties and projects as assigned.

SUPERVISORY / MANAGEMENT REQUIREMENTS
No direct supervisory responsibilities.

MINIMUM EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS

• Education: Required. Admission to a state bar is required; with preference to individuals admitted to practice in New Jersey.
• Experience: minimum of one year’s experience immigration law and procedures , with removal defense experience preferred.
• Excellent legal skills and understanding of movement lawyering principles.
• Bilingual English/Spanish or English/French highly desirable.
• Strong written and oral communication skills including public speaking.
• Self-motivated, detail oriented, well-organized, able to prioritize assignments and workload.
• Ability to communicate effectively and build mutually respectful relationships with co-workers, clients, the public and donors.
• Familiarity with software applications in a Windows and cloud-based environment.
• Ability to work in the evenings and/or weekends and to travel, as required. 
• Ability to work effectively independently and within a team environment.
• Experience with standard Microsoft Office and related technology.
• Must be capable of working under tight time constraints in a high-volume environment with multiple priorities.
• Demonstrated ability to work and communicate with diverse staff.
• Respect for Quaker values and testimonies. Knowledgeable and supportive of the principles and philosophy of the American Friends Service Committee including non-violence and the belief in the intrinsic worth of every individual.
• Respect for and sensitivity to cultural, ethnic, racial, gender and religious diversity and familiarity with non-violent approaches to problem solving.
• Ability to organize, plan ahead and prioritize multiple tasks and meet deadlines.
• Demonstrated dedication to the principles of fairness, equity and inclusion in regard to issues of race, class, nationality, religion, age, gender and sexual orientation, and disabilities.

 PHYSICAL DEMANDS
The physical demands and work environment characteristics described are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

 COMPENSATION
The AFSC offers a competitive Total Rewards package.  This position is Exempt, Salary Family: Legal, Job Code: Attorney I, Minimum Starting Salary $70,000. Comprehensive medical and hospitalization plan; term life, Short Term Disability & Long-Term Disability, defined benefit pension plan, 403b match, plus other benefits including vacation, Paid Time Off, sabbaticals, extended leaves, holidays.

The American Friends Service Committee provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.  The policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training. 

AFSC’s Central Office and some of its offices in the U.S. are unionized workplaces. This position is  represented.

AFSC maintains a deep commitment to a mandate of care for our staff and communities.  The American Friends Service Committee is a smoke-free workplace. 

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
This position is an at-will employment, meaning that the employment relationship can be terminated by either the employer or the employee at any time, for any reason, with or without notice.  In addition, position duties and expectations change over time.  This job description is not intended to be an all-inclusive, exclusive or exhaustive list of the job functions that an employee in this position may be asked to perform from time to time.  The employee may perform other related duties as assigned to meet the ongoing needs of the organization. If there is ever a time that you are unsure what is expected of you, you are expected to meet with your manager and ask questions. If you are unsure how to perform a certain task, ask your manager before performing.