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Introduction: Church World Service (CWS) is a not-for-profit, faith-based organization transforming communities around the globe through just and sustainable solutions to hunger, poverty, displacement and disaster. CWS does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, gender identity, genetic information, age, disability or veteran status in employment or in the provision of services.
Primary Purpose:
The incumbent is responsible for the management of all areas relating to the CWS New York Legal Department. This position is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the legal department including but not limited to staff supervision, case review, and assignment of cases to staff attorneys, court representation, service provision and community outreach.
Essential Duties:
Ensure adequate representation for CWS clients at USCIS, including but not limited to: Immigration Interviews, Asylum Hearings; Master Calendar Hearings; and submission of briefs to the Board of Immigration Appeals. Ensure adequate review of immigration forms completed by the legal staff.
Responsible for training and supervising legal staff, including: staff attorneys; paralegals; volunteer attorneys; law students and other volunteers.
Apply for and maintain DOJ Accreditation for the paralegal staff. Ensure Continuing Legal Education for attorneys and license requirements.
Responsible for the oversight of the Department’s budget and expenses.
Ensure the maintenance of legal and documentation library: selecting and ordering subscriptions; selecting and filing relevant newspaper articles; and supervising legal staff in library maintenance.
Provide activity reports to the Director of Immigration Legal Services.
Holds weekly meetings with legal staff to assign new cases as well as the review and discussion of on-going cases.
Prepare and submit monthly, trimester and/or semi-annual reports to funders and appropriate agencies. Monitor program performance and ensure that program meets performance goals set by funding source contracts.
Approve and coordinate staff time off ensuring continuous and adequate program coverage.
Represent CWS/IRP at community based organization meetings, and various Task Force meetings, related to immigration issues.
Promote the CWS legal program through various media including newspaper, radio and television. Coordinate and plan outreach activities to achieve program goals.
Perform other related duties and special projects as requested.
Qualifications:
Education:
Law degree with specialization in immigration law. Admission to the NY bar preferred.
Experience:
Three years professional legal experience, with experience working with churches or church-based organizations preferred. Demonstrated ability to manage a multi-program department and supervise a diverse staff.
Other Skills:
Working knowledge of Spanish language required.
CWS’ U.S. COVID-19 Vaccination Policy requires all new staff to provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination as soon as reasonable, no longer than 60 days of employment. Any employee who is pregnant, who is nursing, who has a disability, or who has a medical condition that prevents them from safe vaccination, or who rejects vaccination because of sincerely held religious beliefs, may contact the CWS Benefits Administrator to request reasonable accommodation as defined by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC).
CWS offers a competitive benefits package that includes:
- 403 (b) Retirement Plan
- Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance
- Paid Time Off
- Life Insurance and AD&D
- Long Term and Short Term Disability
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
- Health Savings Account
- Flexible Spending Accounts
- Commuter Benefits