Staff Attorney Immigration

ABOUT US

Sanctuary for Families is New Yorks leading service provider and advocate for survivors of domestic violence sex trafficking and related forms of gender violence. Every year Sanctuary empowers thousands of adults and children to move from fear and abuse to safety and stability transforming lives through a comprehensive range of services. We provide a range of wraparound services to help survivors rebuild their lives in the aftermath of abuse and work to end gender violence through three key strategies: direct services outreach and training and systemschange advocacy. Our services are available in 12 locations throughout New York City.

POSITION DETAILS

Position is Fulltime Standard 35hrs/wk Salaried Exempt

Work schedule is currently Hybrid; must be able to meet job location schedule obligation

Budgeted Salary: $78975 $91688 per year; commensurate with relevant experience based on a Step wage scale pursuant to terms of collective bargaining agreement

POSITION OVERVIEW

The Staff Attorney at the Bronx Family Justice Center is a key position within Sanctuary for Families Immigration Intervention Project a legal services project that represents thousands of survivors of domestic violence other forms of gender based violence and human trafficking in a broad range of immigration matters. The Staff Attorney provides direct legal representation to immigrant clients. Depending on experience level this attorney might also mentor and/or supervise project assistants volunteer attorneys legal fellows and/or interns.

Other important responsibilities include conducting community outreach and education in Bronx screening walkin clients at the Bronx Family Justice Center collaborating with other agencies represented there to assist immigrant survivors and advocating for improvements in systems affecting their lives. The IIP operates from 5 different locations in New York City; this Staff Attorney works out of the NYC Family Justice Center located in the Bronx.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Represent survivors of genderbased violence and sex trafficking in their immigration cases before U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) the Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR) and appellate courts;
• Help to mentor project assistants legal fellows and/or interns as needed;
• Coordinate with partner agencies at the Bronx Family Justice Center and serve as an immigration law resource there;
• Screen potential clients for eligibility for immigration relief and legal representation through Sanctuary for Families;
• Represent Sanctuary for Families at the Bronx Family Justice Center and at community events on advocacy committees and on task forces.
• Collaborate with district attorneys offices other local state and federal law enforcement agencies health care providers and communitybased organizations to improve responses to immigrant survivors and to educate and provide technical assistance on issues relating to immigrant clients.
• Contribute to Sanctuarys efforts to educate the public local state and federal law enforcement agencies social service agencies communitybased organizations and elected officials about issues related to immigrant survivors; develop written materials and curriculum for such purposes.
• Perform any other Department or agencyrelated duties or special projects as assigned by the Legal Center Director and Deputy Director and the Director of the Immigration Intervention Project.

• Admission to practice law in a U.S. jurisdiction preferably New York;
• Minimum of two 2 years of experience in immigration law;
• Experience working in the field preferably in a nonprofit setting to assist survivors of domestic violence other forms of genderbased violence and/or human trafficking;
• Bilingual English and a relevant community language (e.g. French Spanish Russian);
• Excellent judgment;
• Strong writing research and analytical skills;
• Strong communications and leadership skills;
• Excellent interpersonal skills;
• Ability to work independently and under pressure;
• Ability to motivate inspire and manage staff;
• Energetic and passionate about Sanctuarys mission of ending genderbased violence and human trafficking;
• Deep understanding of and ability to work well with people of diverse ethnic cultural religious educational and socioeconomic backgrounds.

Benefits:

• Health Dental and Vision Insurance
• Employerpaid life insurance
• Employer retirement contribution
• Paid time off (Holidays Vacation Personal Sick)
• Generous Leave Policy
• Flexible spending account / Health savings account
• Student loan assistance
• Tuition reimbursement program
• Gym reimbursement program
• Wellness program and rewards

All qualified applicants will be afforded equal employment opportunities without discrimination because of race creed (religion) color sex national origin sexual orientation military status age disability predisposing genetic characteristics marital status or domestic violence victim status and other categories protected under Federal New York state or New York city laws. Sanctuary for Families follows the requirements of the Human Rights Law including with regard to nondiscrimination on the basis of prior criminal conviction and prior arrest.

People of color trans and gender nonconforming people people with disabilities and survivors of genderbased violence are strongly encouraged to apply.

We recognize that the safety healing and selfdetermination of survivors of domestic violence and related forms of gender violence is at the intersection of racial gender economic immigrant LGBTQ and disability justice as well as many other critical issues. In order to realize our mission Sanctuary strives to center DEI principles at every level of the organization and continues to deepen that commitment.