DOJ Accredited Representative

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.

The DOJ Accredited Representative, under the direction of the Managing Attorney and in collaboration with a team of staff attorneys, social workers, and legal assistants, will provide legal support to Direct Representation clients. This position includes representing clients in front of ICE and USCIS, including preparation of EADs and other USCIS filings.  It also includes representing clients in front of EOIR (immigration court and the Board of Immigration Appeals), under the supervision of a licensed attorney. This position is also responsible for covering hearings and assisting attorneys with legal cases and providing administrative support on cases.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

Applications before USCIS:

• Be the go-to person for USCIS-work

• Timely and competently file applications with USCIS

• Follow up on applications before USCIS

• Contact USCIS for client’s Infopass appointments

Legal Casework Support:

• Conduct intakes for direct representation cases

• Continue to meet with clients to obtain information

• Draft applications, declarations, country conditions

• Conduct records requests

• Communicates regularly with staff attorneys regarding case status, follow-up visits, and case updates

• Able to successfully work with a variety of clients

Caseload:

• Maintain a reasonable caseload under supervision of a Managing Attorney.

• Properly conduct most legal follow-up related to their cases

• Work with a variety of clients on a variety of legal issues

Covering Master Calendar Hearings for Attorneys:

• Provide coverage for Master Calendar Hearings for staff attorneys as needed

• Prior to coverage, communicates with staff attorney to understand procedural posture of the case, and what will happen at the hearing

• Ensure they have proper documentation and staff attorney’s calendar to schedule next hearing

Representing individuals in front of EOIR:

• Under the supervision of a licensed attorney, take on matters before EOIR (Immigration Court and BIA)

• Fully prepare for hearings, including preparing entire evidence packages, speaking to clients and sponsors/witnesses for key details, preparing written and oral arguments, and understanding of the case

• Significant knowledge of relevant law

Other:

• Additional duties as needed

Requirements:

• Applicants must qualify for 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 or willing to complete 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 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, must have completed or been 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 passionate about due process for all and working with people with complex and diverse criminal records and social histories.

• Strong oral advocacy skills.

• Strong legal research skills and familiarity with and/or willingness to learn legal research databases and system.

• 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.

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.

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.

An Adult Program Accredited Representative must be fully accredited. Up to and until a candidate is granted full accreditation, the candidate will retain their current job position and will be expected to complete essential job duties, as well as working towards the accreditation. Upon receiving accreditation, the employee’s job title shall convert to DOJ Accredited Representative and their salary should be increased in accordance with accreditation type and experience, as of the date of the accreditation. Should the applicant not receive full accreditation, they may remain in their current position and will no longer be a candidate for an Accredited Representative position.

Working Conditions/Physical Demands:

• Operate 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: $56,908.80 - $76,961.54 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 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.

Keywords

Accredited RepresentativeDOJImmigrationLegalCasework SupportMaster Calendar HearingsEOIRUSCISAdvocacyDue ProcessSpanishResearchCourt Observation