Managing Immigration Attorney

The Immigrant and Refugee Community Organization (IRCO) is a non-profit organization established in 1976 to serve immigrants, refugees, and the broader community in Portland, Oregon. Our mission is to welcome, serve and empower refugees, immigrants and people across cultures and generations to reach their full potential. Find out more at www.irco.org.  

POSITION:                                    Managing Immigration Attorney

JOB CLASS/GRADE:                    Technical Specialist 6; Grade 3

WAGE:                                           Starting at $95,000 per year based on experience 

FLSA; EEO; WC:                           Exempt; Professional; 8864

LOCATIONS:                                IRCO – Pacific Islander & Asian Family Center (PIAFC), 8040 NE Sandy Blvd, Portland, OR 97213

                                                       Hybrid schedule

FTE; FT/PT; STATUS:                   1.0 FTE; Full-Time with Benefits; Regular

NUMBER OF POSITIONS:         (1)

APPLY AT:                                    www.irco.org 

STATUS:                                        Full-Time with Benefits

PROGRAM(S):                             Immigration Legal Services

SECTOR:                                       Legal Services

REQUIREMENTS: 

English fluency required. Fluency in another language preferred. (Preferred languages are Dari, Pashto, Ukrainian, and Spanish)

Juris Doctorate, licensed to practice law (in good standing) 

Must be able to pass extensive background check

Must possess a valid driver’s license and verification of current auto-insurance and have full use of automobile during work hours

This job announcement is intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed in this job. This is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required.

Program Summary
The mission of the Legal Services team is to provide direct legal services to our most vulnerable community members. We are a multidisciplinary team with Immigration Law, Disability Law, and Family Law units. The successful candidate will have the opportunity to work with attorneys and legal assistants with various specialties, credentials, and experiences across these disciplines.

Position Summary
The Managing Immigration Attorney will manage IRCO’s Immigration Legal Services (ILS) program. The successful candidate will provide supportive supervision, strategic guidance, case review, and mentorship to a team of attorneys, DOJ Accredited Representatives, and support staff with the mission of delivering immigration legal services to community members of limited means. He/she/they will collaborate with the team to refine existing processes and procedures for efficient and effective service delivery. He/she/they will represent IRCO Immigration Legal Services in conversations about immigration legal services with local, state, and federal government, charitable foundations, community-based organizations, and other agencies.

Essential Functions

• Provide supportive supervision, strategic guidance, case review, and mentorship to a team of attorneys, DOJ Accredited Representatives, and support staff with the mission of delivering immigration legal services to community members of limited means 
• Participate in hiring and onboarding processes for new team members 
• Conduct performance evaluations; determine performance-based wage increases; submit payroll actions to HR 
• Oversee the timely completion of timesheets of direct reports; review timesheets for correctness and approve; review and approve time-off requests
• When necessary, initiate coaching and/or progressive discipline (verbal warnings, written warnings, PIPs, final warnings, and/or recommendations to terminate) in alignment with agency-wide policy
• Work with Legal Services Sector Manager to build and maintain trusting, collaborative relationships with local/state/federal government, charitable foundations, community-based organizations, and other IRCO programs
• Develop and implement training materials for team members on a variety of immigration matters
• Represent clients in affirmative immigration matters, including naturalization, adjustment of status, consular processing, family petitions, U/T/VAWA applications

Secondary Functions

• Work with Legal Services Sector Manager to ensure that all new programs align with IRCO mission, adhere to sector and division vision, have achievable scopes and budgets, and respond to community needs
• Work with Legal Services Sector Manager to design, implement, and refine standard operating procedures to ensure compliance with ABA, OSB, and industry standards
• Develop and deliver external presentations on immigration law matters, including Know Your Rights workshops, to the community and external parties
• Other duties as assigned

Education & Experience

MINIMUM JOB SPECIFIC QUALIFICATIONS:

• Juris Doctorate Degree and license to practice law in the US in good standing
• 5+ years of experience as an attorney in immigration law

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• 2-3 years supervising diverse teams. 
• English fluency required. Fluency in another language is preferred. (Preferred languages are Dari, Pashto, Ukrainian, and Spanish)

Physical, Mental, & Environmental Requirements

• Hybrid setting job
• Impact and Influence: Ability in organizing the projects, monitoring project plans, schedules, work hours, budgets, and expenditures, streamlining the operations, organizing and participating in stakeholder meetings, and ensuring that project deadlines are metWork under minimal supervision
• Work Independence: Positions at this level are single incumbent high level staff or technical positions, or those of the Senior Leadership Team where no internal review is likely because of specific nature of the position. Positions function with virtual autonomy
• Environment: This level has a work environment that is well protected, with virtually no hazards or obstacles.  There is very little element of personal risk or hazard.  Job conditions are stable, usually well managed, and very comfortable.
• Stable work schedule with some fluctuations due to court hearings or urgent filing deadlines. This fluctuation may occur with or without prior notice.

Supervisory Responsibilities

Positions at this level are normally responsible for full managerial responsibility including providing direction to other supervisors/managers regarding the supervision of their staff. Supervisory span will include direct and indirect reports.

What We Offer

IRCO is a very employee-friendly workplace and offers great benefit package to our staff:

• Many flexible working arrangements and schedule
• Amazing opportunity to work with people who come from all over the world
• Work that helps your community 
• 3 to 6 weeks of PTO per year 
• 401k match of over 100% on first 5%, immediate vesting 
• 3% match for student loans or college savings 
• 12 Paid Holidays and 1 Floating Holiday
• Medical & Dental insurance options with 90% coverage for employee AND Families, no deductibles
• Employer Paid Life, Short term, and Long-term Disability Insurance 
• Flexible spending account

Required Engagement 

Engage fully in recommended professional development, as well as other assigned or required training activities. This engagement can also include participation in optional activities that embrace IRCO’s mission, vision, and values-based initiatives. 

How To Apply

1. Complete the IRCO application in our Careers Portal: IRCO Application for Employment.  
2. Upload your resume and cover letter addressing your qualifications for this position IRCO Careers.  
3. For questions about this position, please email [email protected]

Please note that physical applications are accessible from IRCO’s main office, 10301 NE Glisan, Portland, OR 97220. Due to the high volume of applications received, we will not be able to contact applicants or return calls regarding applications. Complete applications should include a cover letter, resume, and IRCO application. 

IRCO is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any characteristics protected by State and Federal law. We will make reasonable accommodations to meet our obligations under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and state disability laws.