This is an internal position only.

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.

Accredited Representative:

The Department of Justice (DOJ) allows for certain non-attorneys to represent immigrant clients before the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR) and the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA). The Accredited Representative may only provide immigration legal services through a recognized organization, in this case, through the Florence Project. The DOJ may grant full or partial accreditation. A partially accredited representative is authorized to practice before DHS (i.e., USCIS, ICE). A fully accredited representative is authorized to practice before DHS, and upon registration, to practice before the Immigration Courts and the BIA.

This position is for a full DOJ Accredited Representative with our Adult Detention Program under DART. We understand that the DOJ may first grant partial accreditation; the staff member and the Florence Project will file a full accreditation application at a later time. The Florence Project will only interview applicants who meet the qualifications listed below in addition to the basic requirements for accreditation under 8 C.F.R. § 1292.1(a)(4). The Florence Project will support the individual elected in their application for accreditation with the DOJ. The position, including the raise in salary, will start once the DOJ grants accreditation status.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:

With full accreditation, conduct Legal Orientations (Know Your Rights Presentations) for detained individuals.
With partial or full accreditation, support the development of legal orientation and workshop curriculum including updating and improving scripts and visual aids.  Work with managers on best practices of popular education and training of staff in this area.
With partial or full support, oversee intake review by assessing cases for legal relief and providing case strategy.
Conduct in-depth intake interviews and visits with detained clients to obtain initial and follow-up information and to provide follow-up services.
Facilitate bond workshops (and other pro se workshops) in order to reach as many individuals as possible.
With partial accreditation, under the supervision of manager and program manager, competently represent a caseload of clients pursuing humanitarian parole, CFI/RFI and other cases before DHS, and case support on a handful of merits in order to get training and experience for full accreditation.
Maintain complete and accurate client files (both paper and electronic).
With full accreditation, provide coverage for other attorneys by attending initial master calendar hearings and/or status hearings.
With full accreditation, under the supervision of a manager and program manager, competently represent a caseload of clients pursuing immigration relief and/or release.
Data entry and maintaining data entry requirements by following data program techniques and procedures.
Current in immigration law and policy via self-study, attending attorney meetings, seeking and taking training sessions offered inside and outside of the Florence Project.
Maintaining client confidence and protecting operations by keeping information confidential.
Prepare paper filings and copies of court documents for legal staff and clients.
Translate documents from Spanish to English and English to Spanish, when necessary.

Qualifications:

Applicants must qualify for partial or full Accredited Representative status granted by the DOJ, and the position is contingent on DOJ granting that status.
Must demonstrate knowledge of immigration law and policy to properly assess cases for eligibility.
Ability to conduct legal and factual research, and experience reviewing, analyzing, and presenting cases to supervisor.
Currently completed a minimum of eight training courses, including FIRRP in-house trainings, with relevant subject matter instruction (certificate of completion or other form of proof preferred).
Currently or willing to ensure before the DOJ application is submitted, 30 hours of court observation (combination of Master Calendar Hearings, Bond Hearings, and Merits/Individual Hearings).
Currently or willing to ensure before application to DOJ is submitted, completed at least 20 applications, including pro se, under attorney supervision, with at least three different types of relief such as asylum, cancellation, and bond.
For full accreditation, significantly assisted attorney in direct representation of one removal case in immigration court.
For full accreditation, one must have completed or be interested in completing at least one litigation training before or soon after submitting the application to the DOJ.
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 works 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.
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.

Additional qualifications:

In addition to the Florence Project’s qualifications listed above, the applicant must meet the basic requirements under the federal regulations under 8 C.F.R. § 1292.1(a)(4).  One of the federal requirements is for the applicant to have completed a course in fundamentals of immigration law, procedure, and practice. The Florence Project will consider applicants who have completed the course or are scheduled to take it soon (before submitting the application to the DOJ). Please review the DOJ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) available at https://www.justice.gov/eoir/file/olap-ra-faqs/download.

Preferred Requirements:

Preferred 6 months employed at the Florence Project.
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:

Operating in a professional office environment requires the ability to sit for extended periods of time with intermittent walking, standing, bending, squatting, pulling, and pushing.
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 - accommodation may be available.
Travel regularly between offices, and secondary work locations.
Frequent time in detention facilities and immigration courts located in Florence and Eloy.
Effective September 1, 2021, FIRRP has implemented a mandatory COVID-19 vaccine policy. To comply with this policy, active employees must be fully vaccinated by October 15, 2021. Employees seeking an exemption due to a medical condition or sincerely held

Salary & Benefits:

This is a full-time position. Salary is competitive for our field and geographical area. Salaries will be calculated based on relevant experience and our established comprehensive wage scale: $55,244.80 - $74,711.20 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 years of employment
Bereavement leave.
Fifteen (15) Organization-paid holidays, all observed
Eligible for Parental Leave which includes Twelve (13) paid weeks
Mileage reimbursement for travel between offices and places of work.
Relocation Assistance for out of state new hires available for some positions.

Application Process:

This is an immediate opening. Salary 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.  This position is eligible for membership in the union Proyecto Solidaridad-FIRRP affiliated with OPEIU Local 251.