Staff Attorney I - Kinship Care/ Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS)

For nearly 50 years Bet Tzedek has been committed to providing free legal services to those who need them most. In that tradition, Bet Tzedek is seeking a determined, organized, and zealous bilingual advocate to represent caregivers seeking appointment as guardian of the children in their care and unaccompanied immigrant children eligible for Special Immigrant Juvenile Status.

This position is eligible for Bet Tzedek Legal Services’ hybrid/remote workplace designation. At the discretion of the immediate supervisor, the employee may be required to work in the office or other locations to meet workload/business obligations. This requirement may be on a temporary or ongoing basis.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES:

·       Represent caregivers providing care for children in their care through a variety of strategies, including but not limited to providing Probate Court representation in contested and uncontested probate guardianship proceedings.

·       Advocate on behalf of undocumented minors related to Special Immigrant Juvenile Status matters brought in Probate Court, which may include conducting new client intake, preparing cases for pro bono placement, and/or providing full scope representation in trial and appellate settings.

·       Advocate on behalf of minors eligible for Special Immigrant Juvenile Status in removal proceedings, adjustment of status, asylum relief, U-visas, T-visas, and applicable appellate venues.

QUALIFICATIONS:

·       Active member of California State Bar in good standing or licensed in another state and eligible to practice under California Rule of Court (CRC) Rule 9.45(required).

·       At least 1 year of experience in probate guardianship, SIJS-related advocacy, and removal defense (required).

·       Demonstrated proficiency with regard to case management skills, substantive knowledge, outreach and education skills, and client advocacy skills (required).

·       Demonstrated proficiency in providing person-centered, trauma-informed lawyering to undocumented minors or another vulnerable population with a history of trauma (required).

·       Demonstrated proficiency in training and working with social workers, volunteer attorneys, and students (required).

·       Spanish-language fluency (required).

·       Demonstrate an understanding and commitment to Bet Tzedek’s mission of equal justice for all and Bet Tzedek’s core values of leadership, community-based advocacy, and innovation.

·       Candidates should be able to articulate their interest in assisting people of diverse ethnicities, nationalities, sexual orientations, gender identities, religions, immigration status, physical abilities and ages with varying English-speaking abilities.

$72,495.22- $82,001.88

BENEFITS PACKAGE:

Bet Tzedek offers an excellent benefits package in addition to competitive salaries. These benefits currently include:

·       A generous number of paid holidays (up to 21 per year), vacation (up to 20, depending on number of years with agency), and sick days (up to 45) annually.

·       Personal and floating holidays

·       Compensatory time for exempt employees.

·       18 weeks of paid parental leave (after 1 year of employment.)

·       Various paid leaves

·       Medical, dental, vision, chiropractic and acupuncture coverage for employees and dependents, with office visit co-pay reimbursement for HMO enrollees.

·       Life/accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D) insurance, long-term disability insurance, and Employee Assistance Plan.

·       Voluntary (employee-contributed) life/AD&D, accident, critical illness, hospital confinement, and pet insurance.

·       Employee-contributed 401(k) plan.

·       Employee-contributed 403(b) plan.

·       Healthcare and childcare flexible spending accounts.

·       Commuter transit and/or parking benefits.

HOW TO APPLY:

·       Please visit https://bettzedek.org/careers/ to submit a letter of interest, resume, and writing sample for “KINSHIP/SIJS”

Note: All positions are subject to funding; ongoing funding or employment cannot be assured.   

To best serve our communities, Bet Tzedek seeks diverse staff with cultural competency reflecting our client populations. We strongly encourage candidates from traditionally underrepresented communities and historically oppressed groups to apply.

Salary

• $72,495.22 - $82,001.88