Centro Legal in Oakland: Job Openings

February 7, 2010

Immigration Staff Attorney Position
(Position to Start Immediately)

Centro Legal de la Raza (Centro Legal) seeks an experienced immigration attorney to assume significant responsibility within the organization’s growing immigration practice that focuses on family-based immigration, citizenship, U visas, and removal defense.

The Organization
Founded in 1969, Centro Legal is a comprehensive legal services agency providing free, bilingual, and culturally sensitive legal representation, education, and advocacy. The mission of Centro Legal is to protect and expand the rights of low-income people, particularly monolingual Spanish-speaking immigrants throughout the East Bay region of Northern California.

Duties and Responsibilities
This position provides the opportunity to work in a dynamic grassroots community law center and within a larger community of supporters, allies, and leaders working together to advance social justice. This position reports to the Executive Director. Major responsibilities include:

* Provide legal consultations, information, and referrals to clients regarding immigration law;
* Represent clients before Citizenship & Immigration Services, Immigration Court, and Board of Immigration Appeals in a wide range of services related to immigration and refugee law;
* Prepare applications, supporting documentation, motions, and legal briefs on behalf of clients in support of a variety of legal processes including family-based immigration, adjustment of status, fraud and criminal waivers, petitions to remove conditions on residence, Temporary Protected Status, asylum, NACARA, Violence Against Women Act, Special Immigrant Juvenile Status, T and U visas, removal defense, naturalization, and citizenship;
* Conduct outreach and education in the community regarding immigration law and policy and the civil rights of non-citizens through collaboration with other non-profit organizations, schools, churches, and media outlets;
* Coordinate and facilitate Centro Legal’s monthly immigration, U visa, and citizenship legal clinics;
* Monitor and supervise pro bono attorneys working at legal clinics or taking on individual cases and provide guidance and training as needed;
* Work with removal defense staff attorney to represent clients in a variety of matters including bond hearings and individual proceedings at the San Francisco Immigration Court;
* Train and supervise program interns and volunteers who assist in the provision of direct services; and
* Assist with fundraising for the immigration program including working with fundraising staff to develop grant proposals and reports for funders and cultivating relationships with potential volunteers and donors.

Qualifications
First and foremost, the applicant must profoundly share Centro Legal’s mission and vision of social justice. Below are additional qualifications.

* Law degree;
* Good standing with a State bar;
* Fluency in Spanish;
* At least 2 years of experience providing legal representation to non-citizens before Citizenship & Immigration Services, Immigration Court, and Board of Immigration Appeals in a variety of capacities;
* Capability to train and supervise program interns and volunteers;
* Willingness to conduct training and outreach activities in the community; and
* Experience working with low-income, immigrant, and monolingual Spanish-speaking communities.

Compensation and Benefits
Salary range: Starting at $45,000 commensurate with background and experience plus medical and dental benefits and a generous vacation and holiday package.

Applications
Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled. Applicants are encouraged to apply as soon as possible. Submit via email only: 1) cover letter, 2) resume, and 3) a list of three telephonic references to jobs@centrolegal.org. Place these words in the subject line “Immigration Staff Attorney.”

Centro Legal de la Raza is an equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, disability, gender, nationality, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or any other prohibited category. Centro Legal de la Raza is an affirmative action employer and strongly encourages women, people of color, immigrants, LGBTQ, older persons, persons with disabilities and all qualified persons to apply.

PROGRAM DIRECTOR, THE YOUTH LAW ACADEMY
(Position to Start on May 1st, 2010)

The Youth Law Academy, a project of Centro Legal de la Raza (Centro Legal), seeks a highly qualified individual for the position of Program Director of The Youth Law Academy. The successful candidate will be an innovative and visionary leader capable of building on prior accomplishments and significantly improving and expanding The Youth Law Academy’s programs, resources, and support.

The Youth Law Academy strives to foster the next generation of talented judges and lawyers from underrepresented and diverse backgrounds. Through leadership development, mentoring, academic support, scholarships, college preparation, and career exploration, The Youth Law Academy encourages and supports youth in pursuing academic excellence and professional opportunities in the law.

Duties and Responsibilities
Under the supervision of the Executive Director, the Program Director is responsible for the growth, development, and implementation of The Youth Law Academy. The position provides the opportunity to work in a dynamic grassroots community law center and within a unique youth development program. Major responsibilities include:

* Develop, coordinate, and execute after-school programming for three groups of 10 – 15 high school students. Programming includes college preparation, SAT prep course, college entrance assistance, street law course, mock trail exercise, life skills, study skills, and leadership development;
* Provide case management to 20 – 30 program alumni currently attending college;
* Manage scholarship program for program alumni;
* Prepare students to conduct a mock trial case in front of an Alameda County Superior Court Judge;
* Create culturally sensitive Individual Education Plans with students and parents;
* Recruit, coordinate, and supervise a team of mentors who include judges, attorneys, and college students;
* Annually recruit students to The Youth Law Academy by conducting outreach in local high schools including presentations to high school freshman regarding college entrance requirements;
* Manage and develop The Youth Law Academy Advisory Board; and
* Play an active role in program fundraising including working with fundraising staff to develop grant proposals, tracking data for reporting to funders, cultivating major donors, and helping indentify other revenue sources.

Qualifications
First and foremost, the applicant must profoundly share Centro Legal’s mission and vision and be dedicated to social justice. Second, the applicant must be passionate about providing new opportunities for low-income youth, youth of color, and youth who are first-generation college students. Below are additional qualifications.

* Fluency in Spanish;
* Demonstrated ability to work well with students from low-income, underrepresented communities as well as parents and school personnel;
* Strong writing and oral communication skills including ability to communicate professionally and effectively with young adults;
* A record of innovation and achievement in developing or managing youth development programs;
* BA degree or equivalent work experience.

Compensation and Benefits
Salary range: Starting at $45,000 commensurate with background and experience plus medical and dental benefits and a generous vacation and holiday package.