Supervising Attorney, Community Justice Unit

The American Friends Service Committee is a Quaker religious organization that promotes lasting peace with justice, as a practical expression of faith in action. Drawing on continuing spiritual insights and working with people of many backgrounds, we nurture the seeds of change and respect for human life that transform social relations and systems.

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POSITION DESCRIPTION

TITLE:                                                             Supervising Attorney, Community Justice Unit, Red Bank

JOB CATEGORY:                                           Exempt (Salary)

STATUS:                                                         Full-Time

TYPE OF EMPLOYMENT:                            Regular

DIRECT SUPERVISOR:                                 Legal Service Director  

REGION/UNIT:                                             Northeast Region/Immigrant Rights Program

LOCATION:                                                    Newark, NJ Hybrid: minimum one day per week in office required. If working out of Newark location, once/month must be in-person at Red Bank location

Application Deadline: Accepting applications until the position is filled. 

For consideration, please attach your Cover Letter and Resume to the online application in addition to answering the Application Questions.

GENERAL SUMMARY OF POSITION
The Supervising Attorney is responsible for supervision and support of Legal Services Staff based out of our Red Bank office; providing direct legal representation; monitoring project goals and objectives and developing reports for funders; and participation in local, state, and national advocacy activities. The Supervising Attorney will also play a key role in developing pro se clinics and community legal orientations, facilitating training sessions for advocates, and organizing legal screenings and workshops for low-income immigrants.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS / RESPONSIBILITIES AND ACCOUNTABILITIES

• Provide training, support, and supervision to AFSC attorneys, accredited representatives, and legal assistants.


• Maintain a moderate client caseload, including representation of clients before the Immigration Court, Board of Immigration Appeals, ICE, and USCIS.


• Participate in meetings with government, private and non-profit stakeholders on immigration issues.


• Assist in recruiting, onboarding, training, and supervision of project staff, interns, and volunteers.


• Monitor legal updates from courts and administrative agencies and ensure staff are kept up to date.


• Participate in advocacy activities in support of policy changes that positively impact immigrant clients and communities.


• Participate in AFSC national migration work meetings.


• Compile quarterly narrative and statistical reports regarding case consultation and case Assist in the documentation of the project’s experiences and in the preparation of AFSC proposals, quarterly reports, reports to funding sources, and fundraising materials.


• Together with the Legal Services Director, devise innovative strategies to better serve community members who proceed pro se in immigration Develop on-site and virtual pro se clinics and community legal orientations.


• Facilitate training sessions for AFSC staff, advocates, and organize legal screenings and workshops for immigrant communities.


• Regular attendance and punctuality are required.


• Operates safely in all conditions and follows policies and procedures.


• Other duties and projects assigned.

SUPERVISORY / MANAGEMENT REQUIREMENTS
Directly or indirectly supervises employees. Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization's policies and applicable laws. Responsibilities include training and engaging employees; planning, assigning, and directing work; appraising performance; addressing complaints and resolving problems.

 MINIMUM EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS

• Education: A Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an accredited law school and admission to a state bar is required.  


• Minimum five years’ experience in immigration law and procedures is required


• Minimum one-year supervisory experience is required.


• Excellent legal skills and understanding of movement lawyering.


• Fluency in written and oral English and Spanish preferred.


• Strong written and oral communication skills including public speaking.


• Self-motivated, detail oriented, well organized, able to prioritize assignments and workload.


• Ability to communicate effectively and build mutually respectful relationships with co-workers, clients, the public and donors.


• Familiarity with software applications, case management systems, and cloud- based programs in a Windows environment, including Microsoft Office and Docket wise.


• Ability to work in the evenings and/or weekends and to travel, as


• Ability to work effectively independently and within a team environment.


• Experience with standard Microsoft Office and related technology.


• Must be capable of working under tight time constraints in a high-volume environment with multiple priorities.


• Demonstrated ability to work and communicate with diverse staff.


• Respect for Quaker values and testimonies. Knowledgeable and supportive of the principles and philosophy of the American Friends Service Committee including non-violence and the belief in the intrinsic worth of every individual.


• Respect for and sensitivity to cultural, ethnic, racial, gender and religious diversity and familiarity with non-violent approaches to problem solving.


• Ability to organize, plan ahead and prioritize multiple tasks and meet deadlines.


• Demonstrated dedication to the principles of fairness, equity and inclusion in regard to issues of race, class, nationality, religion, age, gender and sexual orientation, and disabilities.

 PHYSICAL DEMANDS
The physical demands and work environment characteristics described are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

 COMPENSATION
The AFSC offers a competitive Total Rewards package.  This position is Exempt, Family: Legal, Job Code: Attorney III, Minimum Starting Salary $82,000. Comprehensive medical and hospitalization plan; term life, Short Term Disability & Long-Term Disability, defined benefit pension plan, 403b match, plus other benefits including vacation, Paid Time Off, sabbaticals, extended leaves, holidays.

The American Friends Service Committee provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sec, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.  The policy applies to all terms and conditions or employment including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training. 

AFSC’s Central Office and some of its offices in the U.S. are unionized workplaces. This position is  represented.

AFSC maintains a deep commitment to a mandate of care for our staff and communities.  The American Friends Service Committee is a smoke-free workplace. 

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
This position is an at-will employment, meaning that the employment relationship can be terminated by either the employer or the employee at any time, for any reason, with or without notice.  In addition, position duties and expectations change over time.  This job description is not intended to be an all-inclusive, exclusive or exhaustive list of the job functions that an employee in this position may be asked to perform from time to time.  The employee may perform other related duties as assigned to meet the ongoing needs of the organization. If there is ever a time that you are unsure what is expected of you, you are expected to meet with your manager and ask questions. If you are unsure how to perform a certain task, ask your manager before performing.