Managing Paralegal, Detained Adult Program

Amica Center for Immigrant Rights (Amica Center)•Washington, DC

11d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Capital Area Immigrants’ Rights (CAIR) Coalition is now Amica Center for Immigrant Rights (“Amica Center”). Amica Center is the only non-profit organization in the Washington, D.C. area exclusively focused on providing legal assistance to adult and child immigrants detained by the government in the Capital Region and beyond. The Detained Adult Program (DAP) works with hundreds of adults detained by ICE each year, providing information, support, and legal representation with trauma-sensitive, person-centered services. DAP is a highly collaborative work environment where staff are interconnected through case workshops and staff-run committees. DAP staff are experts in the complex immigration system and have persisted through various challenges by forming project-focused cohorts. A Managing Paralegal in the Detained Adult Program helps manage and support the program by ensuring eligible individuals receive intake and Know Your Rights (KYR) services, overseeing internal and external data reporting for intakes and representation cases, providing structure and legal support for paralegals on removal defense cases, and supervising junior staff with a focus on professional development. The Managing Paralegal will also be a member of Amica Center’s organizational Leadership Team and contribute to setting organization-wide policies.

Requirements

At least 4 years of strong experience or legal training in immigration law.
Possess broad knowledge and adequate experience in immigration law and procedure.
At least 1 year of supervision experience.
Oral and written Spanish professional proficiency required, fluency preferred.
The employee demonstrates a firm understanding of relief eligibility to allow for meaningful contribution to client intakes, intake review and follow-up, and to support junior staff in casework with limited supervision.
The employee demonstrates a mastery of the understanding of legal information versus advice and educates others on this distinction and is familiar with preparing client filings and can support junior staff on doing so with limited attorney input.
The employee satisfactorily handles all required client, jail, and managerial obligations with limited supervision.
The employee manages their workload to allow for proper prioritization and thoughtful use of time and resources.
The employee can effectively supervise a team of paralegals, assist them with managing caseloads, completing referral and intake responsibilities, and advancing professional development.
The employee ensures that all administrative aspects of their position and that of their direct reports are carried out without managerial intervention, including timekeeping, file management, database requirements, etc.
Must possess a valid driver's license and be comfortable operating a vehicle upon hiring.
All employees are required to be fully vaccinated and boosted against COVID-19.

Nice To Haves

Experience working within the detained removal defense experience preferred.
Experience managing data systems and processes preferred.
Experience with Excel and data manipulation preferred.

Responsibilities

Ensures smooth program operation by implementing, managing and providing training on systems that support direct representation and KYR work.
Ensures that pipelines are up to date, including monitoring referrals and updating information on the organization’s legal server and other shared databases.
Provides leadership and structure to DAP paralegals, including overseeing systems for case assignments and holding regular and ad hoc paralegal meeting spaces.
Provides direct and matrix supervision to junior paralegals.
Supports in tracking and monitoring patterns or trends in the field.
Serves as one of DAP’s Legal Server Administrators.
Provides leadership support on DAP’s recurring paralegal fellowships and/or DOJ Accreditation Program.
Joins local KYR visits, as needed.
Demonstrates advanced understanding of basic relief eligibility and provides insightful input during case strategy meetings, case workshopping, intake review (as needed) and other critical junctures.
Conducts additional case research and preparation of cases for pro bono placement or other follow up after intake review.
Supports junior staff in their professional development and provision of direct representation services.
Conducts training and supervises other staff on administrative tasks, including database maintenance and reporting to funders.
Works with DAP leadership, grants administrator, program associate(s), and others as necessary on data reporting to funders.
Troubleshoots data supervision system issues.
Assists program leadership in planning and implementation of program goals.
Assists other program staff in high-work/low-bandwidth periods.
Participates in stakeholder relationship activities, including in-person and telephonic meetings with community groups, governmental bodies and representatives, and other legal service providers, as needed.
Attends and participates in biweekly organization-wide leadership group meetings.

Benefits

Free gym access located in Washington, D.C (dependent on employee’s primary office)
Flexible working hours after successful completion of trainings and with approval of supervisor
Pre-tax commuter benefits for those living in the DMV
Subsidized health, dental insurance, and vision insurance
Life Insurance valued at $50,000, as well as long- and short-term disability
The option to set up a Flexible Spending Account
High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP) with a one-time employer contribution of $350 to the Health Savings Account (HSA)
The option to set up a 403(b) savings account which the organization has the option to match at a certain percentage after one year of continuous employment
23 Personal Days per calendar year
Up to 20 days of Sick Time per calendar year
7 hours of Volunteer Time Off per calendar year
Federal holidays
Paid winter break closure
12 weeks of parental leave