Job Opening at NILC – Los Angeles
Senior Employment Policy Attorney – Los Angeles, CA
Position and Background
The National Immigration Law Center is seeking a senior employment policy attorney to help advance a national agenda on immigration enforcement at the worksite that will improve the labor and due process rights of low-wage immigrant workers. This position offers a unique opportunity to work on the complex intersection of immigration and employment/labor laws, and to implement multiple strategies that help immigrant workers combat discrimination and exploitation that result from worksite enforcement actions.
Over the past 25 years, NILC has earned a national reputation as a leading expert on the complex interplay between immigrants’ legal status and their rights under U.S. laws. Our policy advocacy has played a key role in protecting workers who have been detained in worksite enforcement actions resulting from immigration enforcement measures, and we have provided advocates and organizers with the necessary tools to help support immigrant workers in these situations. NILC’s litigation also has resulted in significant victories, including the litigation against the Department of Homeland Security to stop the agency’s proposed rule on the Social Security Administration’s no-match letters. Our trainings, publications, and technical assistance reach an unusually diverse constituency of legal aid attorneys, nonprofit community, labor, and interfaith groups, government officials, and pro bono attorneys serving low-income immigrants. NILC’s headquarters is in Los Angeles, and a branch office is in Washington, DC.
Responsibilities
Lead NILC’s work on immigration enforcement at the worksite;
Work with local, state, and national advocates, service providers, labor unions, and government officials to develop strategies that protect the employment rights of low-income immigrants affected by worksite enforcement actions;
Research and write fact sheets, memos, and articles for audiences of varied backgrounds;
Plan and conduct trainings and conference presentations for audiences of varied backgrounds;
Provide technical assistance on worksite enforcement issues (including ICE audits, SSA no-match letters, the IMAGE program, the E-Verify program, and worksite raids during labor disputes) to attorneys, advocates, community and union organizers, and serve as a resource to these groups and the media;
Engage in administrative advocacy to limit the detrimental impact of ICE enforcement actions on the labor rights of low-income immigrants;
Provide backup to policy staff advocating for legislative remedies for workers detained in ICE enforcement actions due to retaliation for exercising their labor rights; and
Help develop and conduct impact litigation.
Qualifications
Senior level attorney with at least 5-7 years of relevant legal and policy expertise in employment law and advocacy; immigration law experience also preferred;
Extensive knowledge of the issues affecting low-income immigrant workers;
Experience working with diverse constituencies (immigrant advocates, labor unions, attorneys, grassroots organizers, etc);
Experience designing and conducting trainings, and willingness to travel;
Strong litigation skills and relevant administrative advocacy experience;
Excellent research and analysis;
Demonstrated ability to communicate clearly and effectively in writing and verbally; demonstrated ability to work with a team; self-motivated individual with demonstrated ability to take initiative and create an agenda for the work;
Experience in management and supervision of legal work;
Strong commitment to social justice issues;
Active membership in a state bar, and willingness to take the California bar if not a member.
Salary and Benefits
Excellent salary scale, DOE. Benefits include health, dental, and vision; 403(b) retirement plan after two years.
To Apply
Please send a cover letter, resume, writing sample, three references and salary history to the National Immigration Law Center, Ref# SEPA08, by email to jobs@nilc.org. The deadline for applications for this position is March 28, 2008. No phone calls please. Incomplete applications will not be considered. Please make sure you have submitted all requested materials.
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