Basic Function:

Promote and support the mission of Catholic Charities by providing, and supervising others who are providing, competent and reliable legal advice and counsel to immigrants in our service area. Assist the Associate Director in programmatic and administrative areas for the Immigration Legal Services Program as required and/or needed.

Responsibilities:

• Ensure that the activities of this position and relevant programs are consistent with the mission, vision and values of Catholic Charities, Diocese of Cleveland.
• Interview and screen clients for legal services and provide brief advice and legal counsel when appropriate.
• Provide immigration legal services by serving as the representative for clients in immigration cases.
• Provide competent legal counsel to clients seeking immigration assistance.
• Prepare cases for submission to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
• Represent clients in Immigration Court, before USCIS District Officers and Asylum Officers, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA).
• Maintain current knowledge about legal, regulatory, policy, and procedure requirements as it relates to immigration law.
• Keep up-to-date client files (both paper files and electronic files in the case management system) for the submission of monthly and annual statistical and grant reports.
• Maintain an environment of confidentiality regarding clients and related paperwork and/or electronic files.
• Travel to the detention facilities, parishes, community groups and other locations as required in order to meet with clients and members of the community.
• Manage and supervise staff and volunteers of the Immigration Legal Services Program as it pertains to legal strategy and ethical issues for legal representation.   
• Train new staff and volunteers in the Immigration Legal Services Program on substantive legal issues and legal procedure.
• Co-counsel cases with staff or volunteers of the Immigration Legal Services program.
• Provide, and ensure those you supervise provide, high quality legal representation to individuals in accordance with the Immigration Legal Services Practice Manual and the Rules of Professional Conduct.
• Conduct regular supervision meetings, annual case reviews, and evaluations of other Immigration Legal Services staff.
• Engage in and supervise all of the appellate work, complex litigation, and administrative advocacy conducted by the Immigration Legal Services program, including comments on pending legislation and regulations.
• Assist in keeping Immigration Legal Services staff apprised of new developments in the areas of immigration law and policy.
• Assist in the development of a variety of grant-funded programs and fee-based legal initiatives.
• Assist in the development and expansion of services and resources for the Immigration Legal Services Program.
• Work collaboratively with community agencies and attorneys in serving the needs of immigrants.
• Assist with public education in the community and collaborate with partner agencies.
• Participate in meetings with immigration legal service community-based organizations as required.
• Foster relationships with volunteers, clients, community agencies, related Catholic Charities organizations and fellow employees of Catholic Charities.
• Assist with special projects as assigned or as needed.
• Perform other duties as assigned to accomplish objectives.

Working Conditions and Physical Demands:

• Normal office environment;
• Travel throughout service area required;
• Frequent sitting, talking, listening/hearing;
• Reading, writing and finger dexterity to manage correspondence, faxing, copying, answering phones, forms/documents, computer and client files required on a frequent basis;
• Tasks require visual perception and discrimination;
• Organizing and coordinating schedules;
• Analyzing and interpreting data;
• Communicating with the public;

Frequent use of computer and telephone/cell phone

Requirements:

• Graduate of accredited law school (JD) and be admitted and in good standing with the State of Ohio Bar
• Fluency in a language other than English strongly preferred.
• Minimum five years of related legal experience in the field of Immigration Law, including experience working cross-culturally.  It is preferred that three of the five years of experience are in removal defense.
• Must be comfortable working with language barriers. 
• Maintain an active status law license in the State of Ohio or current full accreditation to practice immigration law as a non-attorney through the Department of Justice.
• Must have strong organizational skills and the ability to organize and manage multiple projects.
• Must have excellent oral, written and interpersonal communication skills.  Must be able to present verbal and written complex data in an understandable format.
• Must be self-directed and self-motivated and be able to work independently.
• Must be willing to work a flexible schedule that includes evenings, holidays and weekends. 
• Ability to effectively and productively work with people of very diverse economic, cultural and administrative backgrounds, both professional and volunteers, as well as organizations and systems of service.
• Must have valid Ohio Driver’s License and reliable means of transportation for local travel. 

• Must have a good working knowledge of computers and familiarity with Microsoft Office software.
• Final applicant is required to be fingerprinted to complete background check.

About Catholic Charities Diocese of Cleveland

If you are a compassionate and dedicated person looking for an opportunity to make a difference in society, we encourage you to apply. Catholic Charities isn’t just an organization that provides help to those in need in our communities—it’s a place where employees are encouraged to live purpose driven lives, professionally and personally. Join our team as we provide help and create hope for those in need. At Catholic Charities, we serve everyone, regardless of belief or background, and we employ qualified individuals who commit to our mission with the goal of transforming lives for the better. One need not be Catholic to join our workforce nor to access our services.

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