Deputy Program Director, Children's Program

Amica Center for Immigrant Rights•Washington, DC

8h•$105,105•Hybrid

About The Position

The Deputy Program Director helps the Program Director manage and lead Amica Center’s Children’s Program, which has about 30 staff. The role contributes to the program’s strategic vision, legal supervision and training, administration, budget, hiring and structure, and personnel development. The Deputy supports efficient, effective, and equitable operations, high-quality culturally competent client services, compliance with contract and grant requirements, staff development, and coordination with other programs. The Deputy also serves on the organization-wide Leadership Team and helps set policies. The position includes supervising and training attorneys, overseeing casework and program functions, managing a small caseload of direct legal representation, mentoring pro bono attorneys, coordinating with stakeholders, and contributing to program and organization-wide planning and administration. The role reports to the Program Director and has supervisory responsibility. The position is based at the Washington, D.C., or Baltimore, Maryland, office. Amica Center uses a hybrid work environment, with staff required to work in-office at least one day per week; this role may require additional in-person attendance and travel for hearings, jail visits, and program meetings. Work-related travel is required. The role is full-time and exempt. The listed salary is $105,105–$128,031+, with a higher salary potentially offered to candidates with 10 or more years of directly relevant experience. Amica Center offers medical, dental, and vision insurance; a flexible spending account; life insurance; pre-tax commuter benefits for employees living in the DMV; personal, sick, and volunteer time off; federal holidays; winter break closure; and parental leave. Employees must be fully vaccinated and boosted against COVID-19, as applicable under the stated policy.

Requirements

Juris Doctor (JD).
At least five years of relevant experience in immigration law.
Management and supervision experience.
Written and oral working proficiency in Spanish.
Must be licensed to practice law in Maryland or Virginia, eligible to waive in, or willing to sit for the next scheduled bar exam.
Must possess a valid driver’s license and be comfortable operating a vehicle upon hiring.
Ability to work in a hybrid environment and fulfill job responsibilities in person as required.
Commitment to principles of equity and inclusion.
Favorable results on background checks, including driving record, Child Protection Registry, and state and federal criminal records.
Ability to meet the role’s work-related travel requirements; reasonable accommodation may be available for qualified individuals with disabilities.
Must be fully vaccinated and boosted against COVID-19, in accordance with the stated policy.

Nice To Haves

Family law experience.
Experience working with child clients.

Responsibilities

Coordinate with the Program Director and leadership team to oversee core program functions and ensure staff are informed about legal developments and adequately trained and supported.
Supervise and train attorneys in direct representation, including case strategy, trial preparation, and caseload management.
Improve staff efficiency and effectiveness across their work.
Coordinate with other programs to align legal, litigation, and advocacy efforts and strategies.
Contribute to organizational strategic planning and implement plans at the team level.
Perform administrative work, including grant reporting, budgeting, time and expense reports, and recordkeeping and data management.
Manage a small caseload representing clients in removal proceedings before local immigration courts, USCIS, and state courts, including asylum, withholding of removal, Convention Against Torture protection, SIJS, U-Visas, and T-Visas cases.
Contribute to supervision of team-wide representation processes, including legal information and screening for children, maintaining sample materials, and case placement decisions.
Supervise attorneys’ casework and caseload management, including co-counseling with junior staff as appropriate.
Mentor pro bono attorneys from area law firms handling children’s cases.
Complete administrative casework tasks, including preparing and submitting filings, maintaining files, and recordkeeping.
Coordinate with the Program Director and Acacia Center for Justice to support contract compliance and stakeholder relationships.
Engage with community groups, governmental bodies and representatives, and other legal service providers regarding developments in children’s detention and legal services.
Represent Amica Center in trainings and public engagements.
Contribute to creating, implementing, and evaluating team structures and policies.
Contribute to equitable and inclusive hiring, professional development, and staff performance evaluation.
Contribute to program administration, including grant compliance and reporting, time and expense reports, budgeting, and data management, as assigned by the Program Director.
Represent the Children’s Program on organization-wide leadership teams and share information and strategies with other programs.
Participate in Amica Center committees and working groups as needed.
Travel for work-related business, including as needed for hearings, jail visits, and programmatic meetings.