MANAGING IMMIGRATION ATTORNEY
Agency Background
Northern Manhattan Improvement Corporation (NMIC) is a community-based, not-for-profit organization founded in 1979. NMIC has grown into a leading multi-service agency with over 140 staff members serving New York City with a focus on upper Manhattan and the Bronx. Our mission is to serve as a catalyst for positive change in the lives of the people in our community on their paths to secure and prosperous futures. Integration is the cornerstone of NMIC’s programs, and our staff can identify and address a broad array of immediate needs through comprehensive crisis intervention services. With their matters resolved, clients move seamlessly to capacity building services through our holistic programs designed to transition individuals and families to self-sufficiency.
- Our Legal, Organizing, Advocacy, and Weatherization programs meet community member’s basic needs including legal representation, immigration assistance, housing advocacy, tenant organizing, financial services, DV and health related matters
- Our Education & Career Services program impacts individual community members with the practical tools necessary to build secure and prosperous futures
Job Title: Managing Immigration Attorney
Department: Legal, Organizing & Advocacy
Unit: Immigration & DV Services
Reports to: Assistant Director for Immigration & DV Services
Location: 45 Wadsworth Avenue, New York, NY 10033
FLSA Status: Exempt
Model: Hybrid, averaging 3 days per week in person
Summary Of Responsibilities
The Managing Attorney for Immigration is a position within NMIC’s Immigration team led by the Assistant Director for Immigration & DV Services. The Immigration Unit provides legal representation and advocacy in a comprehensive array of immigration matters, including: VAWA self-petitions, U-Visa petitions, Battered Spouse Waivers, Adjustment of Status, Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), Naturalization, and Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS). The Managing Attorney will be primarily responsible for providing direct supervision to attorneys and paralegals on their immigration cases as well as guidance to unit staff on immigration related issues as well as ensuring compliance on grants. The Managing Immigration Attorney will also maintain a small load of complex cases and may provide representation before the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and the Executive Office of Immigration Review (EOIR).
Essential Functions And Responsibilities
Supervision
- Supervise staff attorneys and paralegals providing immigration legal services.
- Develop and maintain systems to ensure efficient case outcomes and compliance with grant requirements.
- Oversee and supervise application and court-based immigration cases.
- Troubleshoot immigration case issues with unit staff.
- Mentor immigration attorneys and paralegals through ad hoc opportunities and regular meetings to support their professional development.
- Hold weekly meetings with Immigration Department Staff to discuss unit updates, training opportunities, case issues, or other relevant information.
- Hold quarterly meetings with Immigration Department Staff to ensure adherence to department guidelines and quarterly goals.
- Support the onboarding and supervision of new staff, volunteers, and interns in collaboration with the Assistant Director for Immigration & DV services.
Client Representation
- Provide legal representation and advocacy to primarily Spanish speaking communities in their immigration matters while working collaboratively with other NMIC programs to offer comprehensive client services.
- Provide direct representation to clients before USCIS in all applications for relief.
- Maintain a docket of complex cases, including, but not limited to: VAWA applications, U-Visa, SIJS, complex Adjustment of Status, and representation before the EOIR and ICE.
- Provide representation to clients before USCIS interviews where appropriate.
Service Coordination
- Collaborate with the Director and Deputy Director of LOA, Assistant Director for Immigration & DV, Managing Social Worker, and other members of NMIC’s leadership team to ensure efficient and effective service delivery.
- Coordinate and oversee community intake days.
- Attend department and agency meetings as required.
- Support the Assistant Director for Immigration & DV Services in pro bono efforts, including deepening relationships with pro bono partners in collaboration with the Assistant Director for Immigration & DV Services.
- Provide technical assistance to pro bono partners and provide ongoing case guidance.
Additional Duties
- Attend liaison meetings and internal agency meetings.
- Participate in community wide events and presentations.
- Attend professional meetings and educational conferences.
- Maintain awareness of current trends and development in the immigration legal field.
- Additional tasks may be assigned.
Qualifications
- JD and NYS Bar admission
- Minimum of 5 years of immigration legal experience.
- Experience working with similar populations in a community-based setting strongly preferred.
- Proven mentoring skills.
- Proven ability to multi-task and prioritize work.
- Strong verbal and writing skills in English.
- Bilingual skills in English/Spanish are strongly preferred.
SALARY: The salary range for this position is $124,434 to $133,800.
BENEFITS: NMIC offers a generous benefits package including medical, dental, life, and disability insurance; paid time off consisting of 20 vacation days, 15 sick days, 5 personal days, 11 agency holidays, plus the week off from Christmas Eve through New Year's Day; a 401k with agency contribution; and other benefits.
Nmic Is An Equal Employment Opportunity Employer
NMIC is an Equal Opportunity Employer and actively encourages candidates of diverse backgrounds to apply for employment. Applicants must meet the minimum requirements in terms of qualifications.? An equivalent combination of education and experience will be considered unless specifically stated otherwise.
