Program Associate - Safe Passage Project

About Safe Passage Project

Safe Passage Project (SPP) is a highly focused nonprofit immigration legal services organization that provides free lawyers to immigrant children facing deportation. Founded in 2013, SPP has grown to include 50+ employees, two offices, and an annual budget of over $5 million. It manages over 1,300 open cases a year.

To date, SPP has supported more than 3,000 young people in NYC and Long Island. The New York Immigration Courts, some of the busiest immigration courts in the US, have more than 15,000 juveniles on their dockets, many of whom are fleeing trauma in their countries of origin such as gang violence and recruitment, abuse, and sexual assault. Immigrant children are not afforded free legal representation by the government, regardless of their age. As a result, more than half of immigrant children in immigration proceedings must go to court without the aid of a lawyer. Among unaccompanied children with legal representation, immigration court data shows that 73% are allowed to remain in the United States, whereas only 15% of unrepresented children are allowed to stay. This is where Safe Passage Project steps in, both through providing immigrant youth with direct representation by staff attorneys and through a robust network of pro bono attorneys who SPP attorneys train, mentor, and supervise.

About The Role

The Program Associate is an integral member of the Training and Partnerships team, where they will work with senior leadership and strategic partners to build volunteer capacity and manage the technical tools in support of the organization's pro bono department, which works with over 500 volunteer lawyers throughout New York City and Long Island. This role will report to Alexandra Rizio, Managing Attorney, Policy & Partnerships. 

Primary Responsibilities

Support the Pro Bono Program:

• Support the Managing Attorney to track cases in need of pro bono placement, and share pro bono opportunities with volunteer attorneys;
• Help coordinate recruitment, outreach, and screening of potential volunteer attorneys;
• Support relationships and communication with law firm & institutional contacts;
• Maintain pro bono data in Salesforce;
• Provide accurate pro bono data for grant reports, board meetings, annual reports, etc.
• Send communications to pro bono attorneys as needed (legal updates, training opportunities, events);
• Design processes, and maintain one-pagers and workflows related to the pro bono program;
• Assist with trainings and events in service of the pro bono program;
• Represent Safe Passage Project at institutional partners' and industry events.

Communications

• Design and update a library of marketing and pro bono oriented communications materials, such as brochures, manuals, one-pagers, and presentations;
• Create and manage online and email-based campaigns aimed at pro bono attorneys;
• Draft and post content related to the pro bono department to social media platforms;
• Edit and proofread materials as needed.

Qualifications

We are looking for someone who is:

• Meticulous: You are highly organized, with an eye for detail, a love of streamlined processes, and excellent proofreading skills.
• An Effective Communicator: You have strong communication, composition, and public relations skills. You can craft clear, persuasive communication materials for a legal audience or a compelling narrative to draw in new volunteers.
• Resourceful and Adaptable: You are comfortable with change, willing to take on new challenges and enjoy finding solutions.
• People-oriented: You can master the details and craft any communication, but at your core, you are about connecting with people. You can connect with the Board of Directors, a volunteer attorney, or with a new Staff Attorney.
• Mission-oriented: Passionate about our mission, with a desire to be part of a challenging legal practice that makes a difference in children's lives.

What you'll need:

• 2+ years of experience in a nonprofit role focused on database management, systems development, and relationship management.
• Direct experience with a data management system is preferred (Salesforce or other CRM).
• Ability to handle multiple deadlines and complete assignments with minimal supervision in a fast-paced workplace.
• Comfort communicating with various stakeholders (law firm partners; pro bono attorneys; Safe Passage staff and board members).
  

Compensation and Benefits

Safe Passage Project offers a competitive salary in the range of $54,633 - $67,262 annually and offers the following benefits:

• In a hybrid work environment
• Open Paid Time Off
• Medical plans (which includes 1 plan that has 100% premium coverage).
• Dental plans, Vision plans, and telehealth services.
• An employer-sponsored retirement savings plan- we provide up to 6% employer match of your 401(k) contributions
• 12 weeks of Paid Family Leave along with Unpaid Leave of Absence
• Short-term disability (STD) & Long-term disability (LTD) Coverage
• Flexible spending accounts (FSA) and Health savings accounts (HSA)
• Commuter benefits
• Voluntary Life Insurance plans
• Pet Health Insurance
• Yearly Professional Development Stipend
• Time off from December 24th to January 1st
• Home Office Stipend
• Paid Holidays
• Flexible work schedule

The team works on a beautiful campus at a terrific office location in Tribeca and in our Long Island office in Farmingdale, NY. Safe Passage Project is proud to have a top-down, bottom-up commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Safe Passage Project is an equal-opportunity employer. Women, people of color, LGBTQ people, veterans, and people with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

For more information on Safe Passage Project, please visit www.safepassageproject.org.