SUMMARY:
Northwest Immigrant Rights Project (NWIRP) seeks a temporary, full-time bilingual Staff Attorney with the flexibility to work across multiple units and address urgent needs as they arise across our organization. The individual may be based in any of our current offices located in Granger, Seattle, Tacoma or Wenatchee, WA.
Applicants must be fluent in English and have proficient Spanish language skills-additional languages are encouraged. The selected applicant must be available to start as soon as possible, with an expected commitment of 1 year.
As a staff attorney, you will also offer individual consultations, community outreach and education to immigrant community members seeking immigration protections before the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and immigration courts. You may also handle additional immigration matters, including cases involving individuals in immigration detention.
ABOUT NORTHWEST IMMIGRANT RIGHTS PROJECT:
Founded in 1984, Northwest Immigrant Rights Project (NWIRP) is a nationally-recognized legal services organization on the front lines of defending and advancing the rights of immigrants. With over 180 employees, NWIRP provides direct legal representation and assistance in immigration matters to thousands of people with low incomes who come from over 150 countries and speak over 60 different languages.
NWIRP challenges unjust policies through high-impact lawsuits and advocates for laws and policies that respect the rights of immigrants. NWIRP is also a trusted provider of immigration-related community education for immigrant communities and social service providers. NWIRP serves the community through four offices in Washington State (Granger, Seattle, Tacoma and Wenatchee), but the impact of our work is felt nationwide.
Northwest Immigrant Rights Project is an equal opportunity employer committed to having a diverse staff, board, and volunteer base reflective of the communities we serve and that enhances our ability to create a vibrant environment where all members of the NWIRP community thrive.
NWIRP is committed to providing a work environment free from discrimination and harassment. NWIRP does not discriminate on the basis of class, race, color, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, political ideology, age, creed, religion, ancestry, national origin, or the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability. Excepting any undue hardship, NWIRP will provide reasonable accommodations upon request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the selection process. Please contact HR@nwirp.org.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
This particular role will initially focus on responding to ICE’s motions to recalendar administratively closed cases for former NWIRP clients across the organization. The role will include attempting to reach former clients and former staff for whom we receive motions; conducting intakes for potential relief; and coordinating referrals to units depending on the client’s location, as well as taking on direct representation cases. As additional and different needs emerge in the organization, the person in this role may be assigned to work in a particular or different unit or team, and be asked to change their focus.
All NWIRP staff attorneys are expected to:
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Provide direct representation to individuals in removal proceedings before the Immigration Court, on appeal to the Board of Immigration Appeals or before the federal courts, and before the Department of Homeland Security;
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Provide direct representation to persons submitting affirmative applications with USCIS and the Department of State;
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Conduct presentations, workshops, legal clinics, and intakes, by phone and in person;
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Conduct case analysis to determine eligibility for immigration protections/status under the immigration laws;
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Maintain a working knowledge of significant policies, laws, practices, and trends in immigration law, particularly as it impacts low-income immigrants and those impacted by the criminal justice system;
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Establish, organize, and maintain files up to date;
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Perform administrative tasks related to grant reporting such as timekeeping, submitting timesheets, tracking training, and other duties in a timely manner;
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Participate in NWIRP’s outreach, community education, and development efforts; and,
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Perform other tasks and responsibilities assigned by supervisory staff depending upon NWIRP’s needs.
SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS:
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Law degree;
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Admission to the bar of any state in the U.S. (We will consider candidates awaiting July bar exam results);
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Demonstrated commitment to immigrant rights and eagerness to support NWIRP’s mission, vision and values;
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Excellent writing, communication, interpersonal, and organizational skills;
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Ability to provide trauma-informed and culturally-inclusive legal representation;
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Commitment to creating a welcoming, professional, and inclusive environment for staff and clients, and to working with a diverse community in a challenging environment;
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Fluency in in English and advanced Spanish language skills, and additional languages are encouraged;
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Strong ability to work independently, as well as in a team environment;
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Proficiency in use of web-based software, Microsoft Office applications (including Word and Excel), and web peer-to-peer communication platforms; familiarity with G-suite tools (Google Docs, Google Sheets and Gmail);
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Prior immigration law and removal experience preferred;
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Prior experience working with survivors of domestic violence or sexual assault is preferred;
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Experience handling a high-volume caseload preferred;
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Sound judgment and decision-making skills;
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Strong organizational skills;
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Ability to take on a substantive caseload, and;
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The applicant must have a valid driver’s license as the position involves some travel.
Physical demands: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, stand and walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; talk and hear; utilize a phone, computer, keyboard, pen, and paper. Occasional work on night and weekend hours. Travel may be required. Travel reimbursements apply.
Emotional demands: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to discuss topics including, but not limited, to discrimination; child abuse, neglect, abandonment; domestic abuse; violence, and psychological trauma. Occasional work in a detention center environment.
The anticipated hours of work are Monday – Friday, 9 am – 5 pm, with a 30 – 60 minute unpaid lunch, but occasional evening and weekend work hours may be required.
At the time of this posting, NWIRP staff is operating in a hybrid model, and some in-office work will be expected of this position (at least two full days per week).
BENEFITS AND COMPENSATION:
This is an exempt, salaried position, and the minimum annual salary for candidates with no experience and who are awaiting bar exam results is $81,257.80. Salaries increase for staff attorneys with specific experience. For example, candidates with 10 years of relevant experience will earn $105,812.32 annually, and the current maximum salary, based on 40 years of experience, is $149,245.00 annually.
This full-time temporary position is not covered by NWIRP’s Collective Bargaining Agreement, however the employee will receive nearly all the same benefits as a union member. NWIRP offers a generous benefits package, including:
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Fully paid health, vision and dental plans for employee-level coverage with employer-funded HRA and HSA options;
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FSA and Dependent Care accounts;
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Automatic, employer contribution of 3% to 403(b) retirement plan;
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Generous paid health-related leave (12 days per year);
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Generous paid vacation (16 days during your first year);
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14 paid Holidays with the ability to float 5 holidays;
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Employer-paid disability, life, AD&D and long-term care insurance;
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Opportunities for paid professional development; and,
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Subsidized transit pass available for the Seattle / Tacoma offices.
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Free onsite parking for the Granger / Tacoma / Wenatchee offices.
NWIRP is an eligible employer under the Federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program.
REPORTS TO:
Supervising Attorney
TO APPLY:
Please upload a single-file document on our Careers Page containing your cover letter, resume, and a list of (3) professional or academic references.
In your cover letter, please address:
1. How your personal or professional experiences qualify you for this role; and
2. What challenges you recognize as barriers to providing legal advocacy to immigrant community members.
Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until the position is filled.