Job Title: Staff Attorney

Classification & FLSA Status: Full time | Exempt

Salary: Starting at $70,304 per year

Department: Legal Department | Affirmative Legal Assistance Services

Reports to: Supervising Attorney, Supervising DOJ Accredited Representative, Managing Attorney, and Managing DOJ Accredited Representative

Location: Hybrid-Telecommute, in-person services at CARECEN Los Angeles Office and partner offsite locations

Job Summary: The Central American Resource Center (CARECEN) seeks a bilingual Spanish-speaking staff attorney for its affirmative services (ALAS) unit. The staff attorney will provide legal services at CARECEN offices, and other offsite locations in the Greater Los Angeles area.  The staff attorney will regularly provide legal consultation and representation services primarily in affirmative immigration cases including but not limited to naturalization and citizenship, family petitions, SIJS, adjustment of status, advance parole, TPS, DACA, removal of conditions, U Visas, VAWAs, green card renewals as well as other forms of relief and duties assigned.

Job Responsibilities/Essential Functions

• Conduct and review client intakes for immigration relief for community members at CARECEN and offsite partner locations
• Prepare a variety of immigration cases including representing applicants before USCIS and EOIR Immigration Court. The majority of the casework will include affirmative cases (DACA applications, green card renewals, naturalization, citizenship derivation/acquisition cases, family petitions, SIJS, TPS, adjustment of status, removal of conditions, consular processing, employment authorization applications, and other humanitarian relief)
• Assist with peer reviewing client intakes and filings for immigration relief
• Assign and review casework to legal support staff including paralegals
• Conduct presentations, application workshops, and other community education activities, including at offsite locations, which may require periodic evening and Saturday work
• Participate in data reporting to facilitate legal services, workshops, as well as to fulfill grant obligations
• Provide support to citizenship classes and students, on an as-needed basis
• Other duties as assigned by Supervising Attorney, Supervising DOJ Accredited Representative, Managing Attorney and Managing DOJ Accredited Representative

Required Skills/Qualifications

• Law degree and active bar admission (California preferred).
• 1-2 years of practical experience in immigration required.
• Experience in family-based and adjustment cases preferred
• Bilingual fluency in spoken and written English & Spanish
• Excellent legal skills and broad knowledge of immigration law
• Demonstrated commitment to mission and goals of CARECEN
• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• Commitment to working in a diverse professional environment
• Strong organizational skills and ability to work independently on large volume caseload
• Must be willing to conduct community education and workshops around Los Angeles County if needed.

Classification & Work Schedule

Office hours are 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday – Friday. The work schedule for this position is a 35-hour workweek equaling 7-hour workdays. Position may require evening and/or weekend work, based on responsibilities. This is a full-time, exempt salaried position. The normal office hours for exempt position is 35 hours, but a greater emphasis is placed on meeting the responsibilities assigned to the position. Exempt employees do not receive overtime compensation, compensatory time off, or additional compensation beyond the salary assigned to the position. A hybrid schedule may be offered. The position is part of the bargaining unit represented by the union. 

Work Environment & Physical Demands

This position operates in a professional office environment. The position requires the ability to lift files, open filing cabinets, and bend or stand as necessary.

Travel Requirements

Work is performed in a variety of work settings, including CARECEN’s offices, workspace provided by other nonprofits, libraries, and government facilities, among others.  Position requires the ability to travel to different CARECEN offices and offsite locations. Work may comprise up to 25% of travel time. Mileage reimbursement is available when applicable. Ability to drive with a valid CA license and a registered vehicle is preferred.

Benefits

CARECEN offers a generous health insurance package that has medical, vision, dental, life insurance and Flexible Spending Account (FSA). Supplemental insurance and a 403(b)-retirement savings plan are also available. Paid time off is also provided along with 14 paid holidays.

Application Deadline

Candidates are encouraged to apply immediately.

To Apply

Please email a cover letter, resume, three references and a writing sample to Miriam Nunez ([email protected]) and Diana Flores ([email protected]). Candidates are urged to be specific regarding level of Spanish fluency in the cover letter. Only those applicants selected for interviews will be contacted. Applicants must submit a complete application directly via email. CARECEN will not consider applications through third party/legal/staffing agencies.

CARECEN is an Equal Opportunity Employer.  

All qualified applicants shall receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, ethnic group identification, ancestry, sex, age, marital status, political affiliation, condition of physical or mental disability, or sexual orientation, in accordance with requirements of Federal and State laws.