Job Opportunities API

The Organization: The Florence Project was founded in 1989 to respond to a representation crisis for indigent non-citizens detained at the rural Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Detention Center in Florence, Arizona. Through our programs today, we provide services to thousands of adults, youth, and children detained in Eloy, Florence, Phoenix, and Tucson, Arizona on any given day. In 2001, the Florence Project implemented our Integrated Social Services Program, one of the first of its kind in this field. The Florence Project provides high quality legal and social services and supports initiatives for national changes in immigration law and policy. Primary Purpose of the Job: The Staff Attorney will work   on a team to provide   pro se   assistance   and /or   direct representation   to individuals in ICE custody in Florence and Eloy, Arizona, including cases where individuals have been found incompetent. The position involves substantial work  on individual intakes, group and individual court counseling and prep sessions, and other direct services to immigrants facing removal proceedings .    The Staff A ttorney   will   represent   clients in bond and merits proceedings before the Immigration Court   (EOIR) , as needed, as well as appeals before the Board of Immigration Appeals   (BIA) .    The   Staff Attorney   may also work on related matters before the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services   (USCIS) .   The   Staff Attorney   will provide “Know Your Rights” presentations and pro se workshops, as needed, and will refer cases to the Florence Project pro bono ,   social   services   and  advocacy teams. The Staff Attorney will also   have the opportunity to   participate   in outreach activities and collaborative projects with other Florence Project teams and partner organizations . Essential Duties & Responsibilities: Casework: • Conduct intake interviews and provide group   “Know Your Rights” presentations to unrepresented individuals at the detention centers in Eloy and Florence, AZ , as needed . • E ducate   participants   on   how to   represent   themselves and prepare   p ro se   materials   as needed . • Conduct formal intakes . • Provide   f ollow-up   p ro   s e   a ssistance   as needed,   i nclud ing   but not limited to : • Conduct legal research   to   determine   eligibility . • Writ e   p ro se   motions and briefs on legal issues before the immigration court   and   Board of Immigration Appeals , and / or USCIS . • Review court files. • Organize   supporting evidence. • Review relief applications and prepar e   clients   for   court   when   necessary . • Provide direct legal representation to individuals in removal proceedings, including those found incompetent .   Provide representation   before the Immigration Court, the Board of Immigration   Appeals,   and USCIS as needed. • Handle most forms of relief, including cancellation of removal for LPRs and non LPRs, asylum/withholding/CAT cases, adjustment of status for refugees and other non-citizens, citizenship, T and U visas, and VAWA claims . • Refer cases to other teams according to the established procedures. • Refer cases to social services for support and follow up work . • Professional Development/Training - Attend mandatory training and other CLEs and training ad hoc . • Remain current in immigration law, and on implications of criminal and civil law. • Compl ies   with   the required   ethical standards, preserve client confidentiality, and avoid   conflict of interest. • Maintain complete and   accurate   case notes and client records. • Prepare   timely   statistical reports. • Conduct   case audits for presentation and review   as   required Administrative Duties: • Follow cybersecurity rules and other compliance requirements. • A ttend and actively   participate   in   FIRRP   meetings   including staff meetings and joint case review meetings as scheduled . • Track hours ,   data,   and   mileage for   reimbursement   as   appropr iate . • Maintain case notes,   data,   and time keeping   in a timely manner   and keep electronic and physical files organized. Outreach and Advocacy: • Attend occasional meetings with stakeholders including EOIR, ICE officials, and/or CCA officials to discuss ongoing issues. • When   requested , speak on behalf of FIRRP in various settings including   media,   panels, conferences, conference calls,   visiting   students,   visiting   funders,   or   community groups. • Participate in internal or external advocacy or outreach   objectives   relevant to FIRRP’s mission. • Develop and   maintain   cooperative relationships with local and national community partners, including but not limited to private immigration attorneys, public officials, law enforcement officials, and other nonprofits that provide services to the immigrant population. • Develop and   maintain   professional relationships with the   EOIR , ICE,   USCIS , government and social service organizations, and community organizations. • Communicate with the Legal Director about   advocacy   initiatives and legal   training   for the community. • Participate in developing and implementing special projects or presentations.   Perform other   duties as needed . Minimum   Requirements: • J.D. and admission to any state bar. • Alternatively, applicants who are law school graduates who have taken the Uniform Bar Examination (UBE) and achieved a score of 260-269 are eligible to apply, with commitment to purse admission to the Arizona State Bar through the   Arizona Lawyer Apprentice Program (ALAP). •   To be certified eligible for an ALAP license, applicants must: • • Graduate from an ABA-accredited law school. • • Achieve a score of 260-269 on the Uniform Bar Exam (UBE) administered after July 1, 2023. • • Meet all other requirements for admission to practice law in Arizona, including a thorough background check. • • Secure qualifying employment and commit to practice under the supervision of a qualified Arizona attorney in rural Arizona or in a public law practice, for a minimum of two years. • Successful applicants will be offered the Law Graduate position with a  Law Graduate salary range ,  providing an opportunity to gain supervised legal experience while completing the requirements for bar admission through ALAP • Demonstrate commitment to advocating for indigent immigrant clients in a respectful and empowering way. • Demonstrate   zealous   support   for   the Florence Project’s mission. • Must   be comfortable working with people with criminal convictions. • Strong litigation experience and/or oral advocacy skills. • Strong legal research. • Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work with diverse populations. • Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing. • Highly organized,   innovative   thinker, and   work   in high-volume settings with limited resources. • Excellent problem solving,   research,   and analytical skills. • Effectively manage multiple projects and meet deadlines. • Demonstrate to be a hardworking, flexible, respectful team player that can work effectively in a collaborative, innovative, and   client-centered   work environment. • Ability to work independently, be adaptable and reliable in the face of conflict, pressure,   crisis,   or changing priorities. • Exhibit high ethical standards and the ability to   maintain   confidentiality. • Must be able to pass federal and state background checks. • Fluency or advanced   proficiency   in Spanish   required . • Travel is   required   for this position. • Must have a valid driver’s license and reliable transportation. • Proven computer skills .   Advanced understanding of basic office applications Preferred Requirements: • Two years of prior experience practicing before the   Immigration Courts   or USCIS is strongly preferred. • 2+ years of minimum experience providing direct representation to   immigrants   in   removal proceedings, and extensive knowledge of immigration law, specifically deportation defense, asylum, and criminal-immigration law issues is strongly preferred. • Prior advocacy work in immigrant rights, human rights, LGBTQ rights, criminal justice,   individuals with mental health conditions   or experience working with trauma survivors is a plus. • Experience with databases and data tracking (i.e., Legal Server) is a plus. Working Conditions/Physical Demands: • O perate   in a professional office   environment   requires   the ability to sit for   extended periods   of time with intermittent walking, standing, bending, squatting,   pulling,   and pushing . • Ability to use standard office equipment such as scanners, computers, keyboards, phones, shredders, photocopiers, and filing cabinets .   Requires the ability to   lift   up   t o   ten   pounds -   accommodations   may be available. • Travel regularly between   offices   and secondary work locations. • Frequent   time in detention facilities and immigration courts   located   in Florence and Eloy. • This position can be assigned   to a primary line of work while   maintaining   flexibility to be assigned to other lines of   work/ cases   at other moments   depending on   program’s needs , including pro se   work,   direct representation   work,   and trafficking work. • Effective September 1, 2021, FIRRP has implemented a mandatory COVID-19 vaccine policy .   To   comply with   this policy, active employees must be fully vaccinated by October 15, 2021 .   Employees seeking an exemption due to a medical condition or   sin cerely held   re ligious belief should contact   our Office of People and Cul ture . Salary & Benefits: This is a full-time position. Salary is competitive for our field and geographical area. Salaries will be calculated based on relevant experience and our established comprehensive wage scale:$70,907.20 - $ 93,107.71 Annually DOE. We strive to create and uphold a positive, supportive, and inclusive work environment for all staff. We offer excellent benefits, including: • Medical plans including health, dental, vision coverage, subject to plan terms • Short Term Disability • Eligibility for group benefits such as voluntary life insurance, subject to applicable waiting periods • Retirement plan, subject to plan terms • Paid Time Off earned on a biweekly accrual basis- Twenty-five (25) Days of Vacation Time, annually • Five (5) Days of Medical/Sick Time, annually • One (1) Day of Personal Time, monthly • Eight (8) Week Paid Sabbatical, after three years of employment • Bereavement leave. • Fifteen (15) Organization-paid holidays, all observed • Eligible for Parental Leave which includes Twelve (13) paid weeks • Mileage reimbursement for travel between offices and places of work. • Relocation Assistance for out of state new hires available for some positions. Application Process: This is an immediate opening. Salary is commensurate with experience. The position will remain open until we receive enough qualified applicants. To apply, please submit a cover letter detailing your interest in the position as well as your resume, three professional references. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, and candidates are encouraged to apply early. Only those selected for an interview will be contacted. The Florence Project values diversity in the workplace and strongly encourages applications from people of color, LGBTQ individuals, persons with disabilities, and members of underrepresented communities. At FIRRP, we recognize that people come with a wealth of experience and talent beyond just the requirements of a job.  If your experience is close to what you see listed in our current job opportunities, please still consider applying.  Diversity of experience and skills combined with passion is a key to innovation and excellence, which is very much valued at FIRRP.  Therefore, we encourage people from all backgroun