Removal Defense Staff Attorney, Oakland/San Francisco/Redwood City - The Immigration Institute of the Bay Area

Title: Removal Defense Staff Attorney

Reports to: Directing Attorney

Full-time, Exempt Position

The Immigration Institute of the Bay Area was founded in 1918, and its mission is to welcome, educate and serve immigrants, refugees and their families as they join and contribute to the community. IIBA provides immigration legal services, English and civic education, and other services throughout the Bay Area, as well as through its collaborative efforts with local and regional service providers. IIBA offers a team-oriented, collegial and collaborative work environment. We pride ourselves on providing excellent service to our clients, and we know our organization runs on the hard work and dedication of our passionate employees.

At IIBA, we have a clear vision: to be the place where adiverse mix of talented people want to come, to stay, and to do their best work. IIBA’s dedication to promoting diversity, multiculturalism, and inclusion is reflected in the work that we do. We are committed to equity and believe deeply in the value of diversity of race, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, ethnicity, national origin and all the other wonderful characteristics that make us human.

Job Summary:

This position supports IIBA’s mission by providing quality immigration-specific legal service, advice, and representation in support of low-income residents in removal proceedings; supervising legal work of employees and/or volunteer workers at sites; representing IIBA at events and partner organizations; and maintaining high standards for legal protocols and record keeping.This position could be based in the Oakland, San Francisco, or Redwood City offices. The staff attorney must make periodic visits to the Redwood City office for client visits.

Job Responsibilities:

• Case Management: Provide legal advice and counsel on immigration issues to low income residents of in removal proceedings. Represent clients in bond, master calendar and individual hearings in Immigration Court and, occasionally, before the Board of Immigration Appeals when filing appeals. When applicable to a removal case, represent clients in applications filed with USCIS, such as U Visas, I-130 and I-601A waiver petitions.
• Outreach and Group Processing: Responsible for workshops, clinics, outreach activities and information sessions on topics related to removal defense for immigrants. Outreach requires occasional evening and weekend events.
• Maintain Legal Best Practices: Comply with IIBA’s policies, procedures, protocols, and best practices for non-profit immigration law practice, including legal ramifications, maintenance of client files and data for reporting requirements. Participate in regular peer review meetings and legal trainings.
• Ensure grant compliance: Ensure grant requirements are met. Track case progress and outcomes.
• Supervise Legal Work: Train and help supervise administrative support staff, legal interns and other volunteers.
• Community Leadership: Participate in meetings on behalf of IIBA and its partner organizations and collaborators. Collaborate with nonprofit legal and community-based partners.
• All other duties: Perform all other duties as needed and/or as directed by supervisor.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Required:

• Education & Certification: J.D. from ABA certified law school or international equivalent. A current Bar Membership in good standing.
• Work Experience: Minimum of 1 year of experience in immigration law, preferably representing clients in removal proceedings.
• Ability to act independently and to identify and access resources to assist in preparing cases.
• Ability to handle a high volume of removal defense cases.
• Comfortable working with minimal supervision.
• Advanced legal research and writing skills.
• Dedicated to providing high quality legal assistance and capable of handling complex legal issues on behalf of low-income immigrant populations.
• Excellent organizational skills.
• Exceptional time management skills – ability to meet deadlines.
• Commitment to serving immigrants and sensitivity to the needs of the low-income, culturally diverse newcomer community.
• Familiarity with the region and knowledge of local resources, public systems, and area philanthropy preferred.
• Proficiency in a Windows/PC environment, and able to quickly become proficient in the use of IIBA’s immigration law software and database.
• Bi- Lingual – English and Spanish fluency REQUIRED

Salary/Benefits:

In the spirit of pay transparency, the salary range for Staff Attorney position is $75,000-$84,000. (The salary range can be adjusted upward if the candidate has prior senior-level experience as Staff Attorney.) Your final salary compensation is based on factors such as skills, education, experience, and geographic location. In addition to those factors, we believe in the importance of pay equity and consider internal equity of our current team members as a part of any final offer. Hiring at the maximum of the range would not be typical in order to allow for future & continued salary growth.

IIBA offers a generous cafeteria-style benefits package, elements of which include, but are not limited to:

• Employer matching 403(B) retirement plan: up to 5% employer contribution
• Insurance: Health, dental, life, vision, chiropractic & acupuncture. Medical and dependent care pre-tax reimbursement accounts.
• Vacation: two(2) weeks of accrued vacation per year with an increase each year.
• Sick Leave including paid family sick time
• Holidays: 15 paid Holidays per year
• This position qualifies for Public Service Loan Forgiveness

Please note:

New employees are required to work in the office 4 days a week for the first three months of their employment with IIBA. This period is crucial for onboarding, training, and integration into IIBA’s culture. After the initial three-month period, new employees may be eligible to transition to a hybrid work schedule, subject to approval by their supervisor, the needs of the office, and in accordance with IIBA policies.

To apply: Send cover letter and resume to iibayareahire@iibayarea.org. Please include the title of the job you are applying for in the subject of the email.

For more information on IIBA, see our website: www.iibayarea.org. Position open until filled.

This position description intends to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this job. It is not intended to include all duties and responsibilities. The order in which duties and responsibilities are listed is not significant. Because of a need to remain responsive to the needs of our clients and our Agency’s operations, responsibilities may be modified at any time.

IIBA is a non-profit, non-discriminatory service organization and employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age, sexual orientation or disability. Persons receiving services in our programs are entitled to freedom from harassment and retaliation and reasonable accommodation for qualified disabilities.