JFCS Pittsburgh
In today’s world, it is important that your life’s work brings you value and purpose. By joining the team at JFCS, you will experience hands-on opportunities that directly help people in the Greater Pittsburgh region through life’s changes and challenges.
Proudly voted by JFCS employees as one of Pittsburgh’s best places to work for +10 years, our care and commitment to our employees and our clients is our top priority. We are looking for new employees who share our commitment to providing critical, high quality services to the community.
JFCS Immigration Legal Services
JFCS’s Immigration Legal Services Department supports refugees and immigrants in our region to help them find pathways to citizenship which contributes to the vibrancy of our region. Our clients include people with complex immigration cases as well as unaccompanied children detained in shelters in our region.
Position Summary
The Immigration Legal Services Manager oversees the implementation and monitoring of all government grants associated with the legal representation of unaccompanied children. This position is responsible for developing, managing and evaluating programs, activities, and outcomes related to JFCS’s work with unaccompanied children who are in shelter or released into the community. The Immigration Legal Services Manager leads a robust cross-disciplinary team that provides for the provision of mandated legal services. The Immigration Legal Services Manager will also be responsible for maintaining healthy relationships with area shelters, ICE, the courts and other stakeholders.
JFCS is seeking an organized, experienced leader who understands the legal needs of unaccompanied children and is passionate about coordinating the work of a dedicated team of lawyers and paralegals as they find the appropriate pathways for detained and released immigrant children to either remain in the US or return to their home countries. This is a newly created position that will manage all the immigration legal services staff, including paralegals, family lawyers, and lawyers who have deep experience in representing unaccompanied children. In addition, the Immigration Legal Services Manager will coordinate reports, data collection, external relationship development and outcome monitoring. This position reports to the JFCS Director of Immigration Legal Services
Benefits:
- Collaborative work environment and diverse staff
- Hybrid work model (part of the week in office, part remote)
- Sick Time = 12 days a year
- Vacation Time = starts at 2 weeks the first year and then increases with longevity up to 4 weeks total
- Additional paid time off for all employees = most federal holidays, 3-5 floating holidays (to be used at employee’s discretion), and a number of Jewish holidays
- Comprehensive health insurance – medical, dental and vision
- Short and long term disability, life insurance and a 401k package for which JFCS contributes 4% of salary after the first year of service
- Annual longevity bonuses after the first year of service
Accountability:
- Ensure the Notice of Contracted Activities and Responsibilities (NOCAR) is being followed in the daily operations.
- Work with the JFCS Director of Immigration Legal Services to write the Program Operation Plan (POP) which outlines the exact steps and procedures JFCS will follow to complete the required services under the government funding contract.
- Manage reporting under the contract (monthly narrative report, data report, data validation, billing invoices, interpreter use verification processes, etc.)
- Ensure that JFCS offers representation to all children at appropriate times throughout their detention and release process so that no child slips through the cracks due to aging out of the system or lack of clear information collection.
Coordination:
- Convene regular meetings of the Unaccompanied Children legal team to review cases and ensure upcoming hearings are covered by attorneys.
- Work with team leads (lead paralegals, lead family law attorney, lead detained and immigration lawyers) to identify problems/trends/issues/changes in policy/practices/lawsuit developments that affect our work.
- Ensure staff enter their timesheets according to the billing template to allow for even burndown rates of funds across the course of the contract year.
Development:
- Work with CFO and Director of Immigration Legal Services to develop a program budget that reflects staffing changes/needs.
- Spearhead revisions and modifications of contracts throughout the year, communicating with funding agencies in a timely manner.
Stakeholder Engagement:
- Function as the main point of contact for any problematic issues dealing with the shelter staff, the FFS, ICE, FOJC and/or Immigration Court.
- Represent JFCS immigration legal services for unaccompanied children at state collaborative meetings and county meetings in order to share updates about data, gaps in services, and program successes.
- Be an ambassador to represent JFCS externally in a positive and collaborative way.
Personnel Management:
- Perform and maintain background clearances and security training documentation required for staff and pro bono attorneys under the contract.
- Hold staff and pro bono attorneys accountable to ensure all clearances are updated as necessary, according to the contract.
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- On an annual basis, review approved forms and documents with staff, update and submit any changes for approval.
- Assist with the recruitment, hiring and onboarding of all incoming UC team staff.
- Be responsible for onboarding/offboarding people according to contract protocol.
- Supervise, mentor, train, support all UC team staff.
- Help develop, implement and coordinate professional development training aligned with program goals.
- Create a team based on the values of inclusion, respect, warmth, and mutual support.
- Assist with addressing personnel performance and job satisfaction issues.
- Other duties as needed
Required Skills/Abilities:
- Must be culturally sensitive to the unique needs of a diverse array of unaccompanied children from around the world and demonstrate a deep understanding of trauma informed services.
- Demonstrate a high level of organization to manage government funded programs while being responsive to clients’ evolving needs, trends within the community, and prioritizing ongoing support for front-line staff.
- Clear, concise written and verbal communication with staff, partners, and other stakeholders.
- Understanding of budgets, budget adherence and administration.
- Demonstrated abilities as a collaborative team leader who leads by example and creates an environment that is inclusive, respectful, warm, and supportive.
- Alert to cross-cultural interference in dealing with staff and clients and be culturally responsive in providing insightful program interventions and a responsive workplace environment.
- Cultural humility and openness to learning is a hallmark of this position.
- Ability to work independently and to manage the work of others.
- Must have access to reliable vehicle, insurance, and valid license.
Education and Experience
- JD or Masters degree in law is strongly preferred with the ability to practice in the United States. Masters Degree in political science, nonprofit management, MBA or related degrees will also be considered.
- Demonstrated knowledge and experience in immigration legal services.
- 2 years experience supervising staff.
- Experience in program planning and development as well as implementation and assessment.
- Strong administrative management and organizational skills with a keen focus on details required for government grant compliance.
- Experience with ensuring quality outcomes for clients and fidelity with monitoring requirements.
Physical Requirements:
- Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
- Must be able to lift up to 15 pounds at times.