Associate Director of Immigration Legal Services

The Immigration Legal Services (ILS) team at Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Cleveland seeks an Associate Director with compassion and perseverance to support our team in fighting for immigration justice for residents of Northeast Ohio. ILS is responsible for immigrant legal work within Catholic Charities’ Migration & Refugee Services division (MRS). This position is a great opportunity to do deeply rewarding work providing legal help in the community, helping create and benefit from a supportive work environment.

Catholic Charities is not just an organization that provides help to those in need in our communities, it’s a place where employees are encouraged to live purpose driven lives, professionally and personally. Join our team as we provide help and create hope for those in need.  At Catholic Charities, we serve everyone, regardless of belief or background, and we employ qualified individuals who commit to our mission with the goal of transforming lives for the better.  One need not be Catholic to join our workforce nor to access our services.

About MRS and ILS

MRS was established over 75 years ago to resettle refugees throughout Northeast Ohio.  The needs of the community have caused us to broaden our work over the years.  We now provide a range of services to welcome refugees, asylees, and immigrants from around the world who have been forced to flee their homes in fear of persecution.

ILS is the legal team within MRS, with professionals who provide legal help primarily in family-based and humanitarian immigration legal matters.  We provide legal help in a wide range of immigration legal matters, including family-based petitions; work authorizations; protection-based claims including asylum and protection under the Convention Against Torture; Visas for victims including victims of serious crimes, victims of trafficking, and victims of domestic violence; and Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA).

Job Description

The Associate Director of Immigration Legal Services will coordinate the long-term strategic vision for the Immigration Legal Services Program. They will collaborate with community organizations, social service providers, and mental health professionals to ensure clients receive holistic support. The role also includes leading outreach and community education efforts to keep immigrant communities and partners informed about developments in immigration law. The Associate Director will oversee and support members of the ILS legal team and, in coordination with other team members, help supervise and mentor law students and volunteers assisting with ILS’s work.

Responsibilities:

• Ensure that the activities of this position and relevant programs are consistent with the
  mission, vision and values of Catholic Charities, Diocese of Cleveland.
• Coordinate the long-term strategic vision for the Immigration Legal Services Program, including the development of a variety of grant-funded programs and fee-based initiatives.
• Coordinate and delegate opportunities for public education in the community and collaboration with partner agencies.
• In consultation with the Director, develop and manage case acceptance criteria for the Immigration Legal Services program.
• Coordinate legal services to create greater flexibility, efficiency and effectiveness in meeting the needs of clients; including daily review of new requests for service, waitlist management, case closing procedures, and a regular file review process for all staff.
• Represent the Immigration Legal Services program at all meetings related to finance, management, and administration.
• Develop effective relationships and serve as the main program point of contact for government agencies, schools, and community organizations to increase program effectiveness, promote goodwill and enhance the image of Catholic Charities.
• Plan and facilitate, with the assistance of other staff members, regular Immigration Legal Services team meetings.
• Recruit, train, and manage volunteers for the Immigration Legal Services Program, including the coordination of placing cases outside the agency for pro bono representation.
• Assist the Director in raising financial resources for the Immigration Legal Services Program; including exploring new funders, new partnerships, and innovative funding strategies.
• Ensure Immigration Legal Services staff achieve professional development and are provided with professional growth opportunities.
• Coordinate the collection of client fees.
• Coordinate the application and accreditation process for all Department of Justice (DOJ)Access to Justice Programs, including maintaining accreditation for paralegals and recognition for the agency.
• Participate in contract, grant and budget preparation.
• Supervise record keeping of client files, the number of cases maintained by each staff member, and submit statistical reports as needed or required.
• In the absence of other staff, the Associate Director should have the required credentials to interview and screen clients for legal services, provide brief advice and legal counsel when appropriate, and provide immigration legal services by serving as the representative for clients in immigration cases.
• Maintain current knowledge about legal, regulatory, policy, and procedure requirements as it relates to immigration law.
• Keep up-to-date client files (both paper files and electronic files in the case management system) for the submission of monthly and annual statistical and grant reports.
• Maintain an environment of confidentiality regarding clients and related paperwork and/or electronic files.
• Travel to the detention facilities, parishes, community groups and other locations as required in order to meet with clients and members of the community.
• Manage and supervise staff and volunteers of the Immigration Legal Services Program as it pertains to programmatic, administrative, and financial matters.
• Train new staff and volunteers in the Immigration Legal Services Program on programmatic, administrative, and financial matters.
• Conduct regular supervision meetings, annual case reviews, and evaluations of other Immigration Legal Services staff.
• Assist in keeping Immigration Legal Services staff apprised of new developments in the areas of immigration law and policy.
• Foster relationships with volunteers, clients, community agencies, related Catholic Charities organizations and fellow employees of Catholic Charities.
• Build a positive team environment within the Immigration Legal Services program, and within greater MRS, motivating staff to meet the organization’s mission and goals.
• Assist with special projects as assigned or as needed.

Minimum job requirements

• JD degree and admission to the bar in any U.S. jurisdiction (Ohio preferred, otherwise ability and willingness to be admitted in Ohio).
• 5+ years of experience practicing immigration law, including at least 2 years of experience in a supervisory role. 
• Fiscal, administrative and supervisory experience required with experience in grant and fund solicitation preferred and experience in a non-profit setting preferred.
• Must have excellent leadership and organizational skills, strong detail oriented skills with the ability to supervise and work as part of a team.
• Fluency in a language other than English strongly preferred.
• Must be comfortable working with language barriers.
• Must have excellent oral, written and interpersonal communication skills. Must be able to present verbal and written complex data in an understandable format.
• Must be self-directed and self-motivated and be able to work independently.
• Must be willing to work a flexible schedule that includes evenings, holidays and weekends.
• Ability to effectively and productively work with people of very diverse economic, cultural and administrative backgrounds, both professional and volunteers, as well as organizations and systems of service.
• Must have valid Ohio Driver’s License and reliable means of transportation for local travel.
• Must have a good working knowledge of computers and familiarity with Microsoft Office software.
• Final applicant is required to be fingerprinted to complete background check.
  
  

Compensation and Benefits

Salary range for this position is between $90,000 and $110,000 depending on experience.  Benefits include health insurance (starting first day of employment), paid time off, employer match for 401K retirement plan, and tuition assistance.

Salary

• $90,000 - $110,000