Summary: The Action NYC Attorney will join African Services Committee (ASC) staff as part of a coordinated citywide initiative, ActionNYC, which will reach immigrant communities across New York City to connect individuals to free immigration legal consultations, document preparation, and application assistance. Supervised by the Legal Department’s Supervising Attorney/Legal Director, the ActionNYC Attorney will oversee a team of two (2) legal advocates/community navigators who are BIA-accredited and oversee the screening and intake process for potential new clients.
Roles and Responsibilities include the following. Other duties may be assigned.
Train and closely supervise a team of two (2) navigators who are BIA-accredited and will conduct comprehensive immigration legal screenings at ASC’s office in Harlem as well as provide application assistance to clients eligible for straightforward affirmative relief, including family-based visa petitions, Adjustment of Status applications, DACA, TPS, naturalization, green card renewals, removal of conditions for certain Lawful Permanent Residents, and others.
Oversee the screening and intake process for potential new clients at ASC. The ActionNYC attorney will also supervise the staff who operate ASC’s legal hotline, the provision of legal information via the hotline, and selection of hotline callers for follow-up for an in-depth interview by staff or volunteers to assess their eligibility for immigration relief.
Oversee the provision of all immigration legal services under both the ActionNYC and IOI legal service programs. The ActionNYC attorney will provide legal advice, review all applications prepared by navigators, and provide on-going case management. Capacity permitting, provide direct representation to clients for more complex forms of immigration relief.
Make appropriate referrals for cases or services beyond the scope of the program, or capacity of the program’s staff to other service providers. Ensure that program clients receive assistance in obtaining resources or referrals to address their non-legal needs.
Track and report comprehensive data regarding both the clients represented and the services provided via the ActionNYC program. Enter information into ASC’s legal case management system for all clients directly represented by the ActionNYC attorney. Comply with all ActionNYC reporting requirements. Report data for the IOI program as required. Assist Supervising Attorney/Legal Director to prepare and submit quarterly and annual reports. Prepare for any on-site audits by funder.
Supervise reporting done by subordinate staff for the ActionNYC, IOI, and Healthy Families programs. Also supervise staff reporting for the ASC’s Legal Hotline, and ASC’s legal workshops.
Oversee maintenance of case files and case management information. Supervise and ensure staff compliance with case file, case management, and reporting protocols and requirements.
Participate in ActionNYC trainings. Work closely with ActionNYC staff to implement program protocols.
Administer large‐scale screening events, including supervision of staff and volunteers.
Assist with community outreach and know‐your‐rights workshops to educate immigrant communities about forms of immigration relief.
Represent ASC at meetings with other legal service agencies, government agencies, collaborations with other organizations on issues related to the ActionNYC program.
Position Type and Expected Hours of Work:
This is a full-time position that will require the lawyer to work overseeing a team of between four to five staff members to provide free immigration legal information, consultations, legal services, and referrals to external resources. Most of the ActionNYC Attorney’s time will be spent providing legal consultations, performing case work, preparing information to be reported, and supervising subordinate staff at the ACS office. The remaining time will be spent representing clients at interviews with USCIS or at immigration court hearings and engaging in community education or outreach events. Days and hours of work are generally 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM Monday - Friday. Additional evening/weekend hours are required to meet court and/or program deadlines or client needs.
Admission to the New York State bar required. Additional bar admissions are a plus.
At least three (3) years of post-JD experience in immigration law, representing clients in affirmative benefits applications to USCIS and/or in removal defense.
Prior experience supervising staff and/or reporting on a legal program’s efforts.
Skills and/or competencies preferred:
Bilingual: Fluency in English and Spanish or French. Preference for candidates with additional foreign language abilities.
Excellent writing, research, analytical, and communication skills.
Demonstrated commitment to working on behalf of immigrant communities.
Demonstrated ability to think strategically, advocate effectively and proactively resolve issues or problems.
Outstanding interpersonal, organizational, planning and time management skills.
Passionate about accuracy and meeting deadlines on time all the time.
Thrive in a busy environment and able to shift gears when needed.
Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively in a diverse, public interest setting and to foster and support diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace.
Flexible schedule and availability for occasional evening and weekend work.
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