the Florence Project is hiring an
The Organization:
The Florence Project was founded in 1989 to respond to a representation crisis for indigent non-citizens detained at the rural Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Detention Center in Florence, Arizona. Through our programs today, we provide services to thousands of adults, youth, and children detained in Eloy, Florence, Phoenix, and Tucson, Arizona on any given day. In 2001, the Florence Project implemented our Integrated Social Services Program, one of the first of its kind in this field. The Florence Project provides high quality legal and social services and supports initiatives for national changes in immigration law and policy.
Associate Legal Program Manager:
The Associate Legal Program Manager for the Children’s Program assists the Children’s Legal Program Manager in overseeing the organization’s work serving unaccompanied minors. The Associate Legal Program Manager will work under the direction of the Children’s Legal Program Manager position, and support programmatic leadership and supervision of the Children’s Program’s delivery of legal services. The Associate Legal Program Manager will directly supervise Accredited Representatives in the Children’s Program and provide supervision coverage for the Children’s Legal Program Manager and Managing Attorneys as needed. The Program Manager will assist with program development as well as contribute to the design and implementation of organization-wide developments in conjunction with the Children’s Legal Program Manager.
The Children’s Program handles a variety of forms of relief from deportation. The Associate Legal Program Manager will mentor and supervise legal staff and provide legal representation to detained and non-detained immigrant children. The Associate Legal Program Manager will also collaborate on training and professional development initiatives for legal staff and participate with program development and outreach activities in conjunction with the Children’s Legal Program Manager, Children’s Program Managing Attorneys, Legal Director, Deputy Director, and Executive Director.
Essential Duties & Responsibilities:
Work in conjunction and under the direction of the Children’s Legal Program Manager to complete the following duties and responsibilities:
Lead in the hiring and supervision of Accredited Representatives and provide programmatic leadership and support to Children’s Program staff. This includes conducting case reviews with Accredited Representatives and providing training, mentorship, and support to Accredited Representatives. The Associate Legal Program Manager will also work closely with the Managing Attorneys, Managing Legal Assistants and the Legal Administrative Assistant team to provide programmatic leadership and support.
Supervise Staff Attorneys, Senior Staff Attorneys, Law Graduates and Managing Legal Assistants as needed.
Oversee the Children’s Program Shelter work, including program development, ensuring deliverables are met, and providing support to shelter teams.
In conjunction with the Children’s Legal Program Manager, oversee the hiring of legal staff and interns and follow the process and procedures required for these efforts.
Facilitate and lead programmatic meetings with legal staff.
Coordinate in conjunction with the Children’s Legal Program Manager, Children’s Program Managing attorneys, and the Deputy Director needed orientations for new hires.
Collaborate with the Children Program Managing Attorneys, Professional Development Manager, and the Deputy Director to develop regular training and mentorship opportunities for Children’s Program staff.
Develop and maintain stakeholder relationships and address issues as they arise, including but not limited to detention facilities, government actors, and community organizations.
Provide coverage for the Children’s Legal Program Manager and Managing Attorneys as needed.
While prioritizing programmatic managerial needs, maintain a small caseload of deportation defense immigration cases, providing representation to unaccompanied minors, with the opportunity to select challenging casework or appeals of particular importance.
While prioritizing programmatic managerial needs, provide mentorship and serve as second chair to new attorneys.
Participate in program development with the Children’s Legal Program Manager. Assist with the implementation of any changes to the scope of legal services provided or the model for delivering those services.
Assist with the collection of data, complete reporting for funders, and participate in stakeholder and legal service provider network calls, meetings, and trainings.
Communicate with the Children’s Legal Program Manager about possible advocacy initiatives, strategic litigation, and legal trainings for the community.
Support Florence Project outreach and development activities as needed, including participation in media requests.
Other administrative duties as needed.
Minimum Requirements:
J.D. and admission to any state bar. Arizona bar is strongly preferred.
2 years minimum experience providing direct representation to immigrants in removal proceedings or other relevant experience required. Other relevant experience as a lawyer could be considered.
Experience supervising staff or interns and demonstrated ability to inspire confidence in others and play a supportive role.
Be a proactive and engaged supervisor without micromanaging and be a clear and thoughtful decision maker.
In lieu of supervisory experience, leadership potential and excellent communication and interpersonal skills, as well as ability to learn and execute a variety of job requirements with the capacity to be trained to be an effective manager may be considered.
Demonstrate commitment to advocating for indigent immigrant clients in a respectful and empowering way.
Demonstrate a zealous support of the Florence Project’s mission.
Must be comfortable working with people with criminal convictions.
Strong litigation experience and/or oral advocacy skills.
Strong legal research.
Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work with diverse populations.
Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing.
Highly organized, an innovative thinker, and work in high-volume settings with limited resources.
Excellent problem solving, research and analytical skills.
Effectively manage multiple projects and meet deadlines.
Demonstrate to be a hardworking, flexible, respectful team player that can work effectively in a collaborative, innovative, and client centered work environment.
Ability to work independently, be adaptable and reliable in the face of conflict, pressure, crisis or changing priorities.
Exhibit high ethical standards and the ability to maintain confidentiality in all situations.
Must be able to pass federal and state background checks.
Fluency or advanced proficiency in Spanish required.
Travel is required for this position.
Must have a valid driver’s license and reliable transportation.
Proven computer skills. Advanced understanding of basic office applications.
Preferred Qualifications:
2 years of prior experience practicing before the Arizona Juvenile Courts, the Immigration Courts, or USCIS is strongly preferred.
Prior experience working with children/teenagers and trauma survivors or individuals with mental health issues is a plus.
Prior advocacy work in immigrant rights, human rights, LGBTQ rights, criminal justice, or experience working with trauma survivors is a plus.
Experience with databases and data tracking (i.e., Legal Server) is a plus.
Working Conditions/Physical Demands:
Operate in a professional office environment and requires the ability to sit for long periods of time with intermittent walking, standing, bending, squatting, pulling and pushing.
Require the ability to use standard office equipment such as scanners, computers, keyboards, phones, shredders, photocopiers, and filing cabinets. Requires the ability to lift-up to ten pounds. Accommodations may be available.
Required to travel regularly between offices, and secondary work locations.
Require frequent time in children’s shelter detention facilities and immigration courts located in Tucson and Phoenix.
The Florence Project has three offices: Florence, Tucson, and Phoenix. Depending on the needs of the program, the position may be based in the Phoenix or Tucson offices, with regular travel to the alternate location.
Effective September 1, 2021, FIRRP has implemented a mandatory COVID-19 vaccine policy. To comply with this policy, active employees must be fully vaccinated. Employees seeking an exemption due to a medical condition or sincerely-held religious belief should contact our Human Resources Department at humanresources@firrp.org.
Salary & Benefits
This is a full-time position. Salary is competitive for our field and geographical area and is commensurate with experience: $82,000-$85,000 annually DOE. We strive to create and uphold a positive, supportive, and inclusive work environment for all staff. We offer excellent benefits, including:
Medical plans including health, dental, vision coverage, subject to plan terms
Short Term Disability
Eligibility for group benefits such as voluntary life insurance, subject to applicable waiting periods
Retirement plan, subject to plan terms
Paid Time Off earned on a biweekly accrual basis- Twenty-five (25) Days of Vacation Time, annually
Five (5) Days of Medical/Sick Time, annually
One (1) Day of Personal Time, monthly
Eight (8) Week Paid Sabbatical, after Three (3) years of employment
Bereavement leave
Company-paid federal holidays, all observed
Eligible for Parental Leave which includes Twelve (12) paid weeks
Mileage reimbursement for travel between offices and places of work
Relocation Assistance for out of state new hires
Application Process:
This is an immediate opening. Salary is competitive for our field and geographical area and is commensurate with experience. The position will remain open until we receive enough qualified applicants. To apply, please submit a cover letter detailing your interest in the position as well as your resume, three professional references. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, and candidates are encouraged to apply early. Only those selected for an interview will be contacted. The Florence Project values diversity in the workplace and strongly encourages applications from people of color, LGBTQ individuals, persons with disabilities, and members of underrepresented communities.
At FIRRP, we recognize that people come with a wealth of experience and talent beyond just the requirements of a job. If your experience is close to what you see listed in our current job opportunities, please still consider applying. Diversity of experience and skills combined with passion is a key to innovation and excellence, which is very much valued at FIRRP. Therefore, we encourage people from all backgrounds to apply to our positions. Please let us know if you require accommodations during the interview process.
This job announcement is for informational purposes only and is subject to change and modification without notice. This job announcement includes a non-exhaustive list of responsibilities, qualifications and requirements of the position, but does not necessarily include all the job functions of the position.