We’re Hiring: Legal Orientation Program Supervisory Attorney
RMIAN has an immediate opening for a full-time Legal Orientation Program Supervisory Attorney in the Detention Program to oversee RMIAN’s provision of legal information and screening cases at the Aurora Contract Detention Facility.
RMIAN’s Legal Orientation Program (LOP) is a government-funded know-your-rights program that uses education and information to empower individuals detained at the Aurora immigration detention facility to represent themselves. LOP staff provide information about rights in removal proceedings, court procedures, release options, and relief from removal. In addition to providing general information in a group setting, the LOP team conducts individual intakes to screen cases for referral to volunteer pro bono counsel and direct representation by RMIAN staff attorneys. Additionally, the LOP team is responsible for providing pro se support where possible, including individual sessions and group workshops, to people facing deportation proceedings without the assistance of counsel.
This position is meant for an attorney dedicated to equal justice for all and with a passion for educating individuals to advocate on their own behalf—someone with experience practicing removal defense immigration law, preferably in a detained setting. This is an ideal position for an attorney who wants to work closely with pro se respondents and witness the impact information and education can have on outcomes.
The ideal candidate:
Is an attorney who has a background in immigration law and a strong commitment to immigrant justice.
Is guided by the principle that all respondents before the immigration court are entitled to counsel and is passionate about explaining a complex legal framework in a digestible manner to individuals not well-versed in the complexities of immigration law. This candidate is excited about educating and empowering pro se individuals and enjoys creative delivery of information.
Enjoys creative lawyering and working in a collaborative setting but can work independently.
Is ready to assume a large degree of responsibility and autonomy in running a major subprogram within RMIAN’s Detention Program.
Is skilled at building rapport with clients and at building relationships with colleagues and external stakeholders (including governmental agencies, nonprofit providers, and community partners). Acts with courtesy, patience, and poise, and is excited to share RMIAN’s work with others.
Has experience and confidence in speaking to groups.
Enjoys collaborating with others and understands how to keep people focused on the goal —this person thrives on working as a member of a team and has experience with project management and positively influencing people to get things done. In particular, this person excels at engaging and motivating colleagues at all levels to keep moving toward results.
Is exceptionally organized – this person loves handling details and multiple projects running in parallel. Understands how to prioritize and can triage to meet time-sensitive deadlines.
Appreciates the need to be responsive and act on time-sensitive inquiries – this person can respond to stakeholders quickly and is skilled at time management.
Enjoys finding and creating efficiencies – this person naturally conceptualizes workflow through a systems approach, thrives on innovating to make tasks more streamlined, and works quickly and accurately.
Is able to work autonomously and independently – this person doesn’t require micromanaging and can be trusted to manage and meet deadlines and complete tasks in a timely manner without the need for extensive oversight.
Responsibilities:
Direct LOP Services (20%)
Provide Know-Your-Rights presentations at the immigration detention center in Aurora, Colorado. This includes conducting individual intakes, holding pro se workshops, and screening cases for referral to pro bono volunteer attorneys and RMIAN staff attorneys.
Conduct legal and factual research to determine participants’ legal eligibility and suitability of cases for pro bono referral.
Support RMIAN’s pro bono efforts to match as many cases as possible with free legal representation, including screen cases, communicating with participants, and gathering records.
Providing discrete assistance to pro se individuals on a limited-scope basis as needed.
Program Management and Development (60%)
Work with Detention Program Managing Attorney and LOP team to set service schedule and ensure RMIAN meets its contractual obligations.
Work with Detention Program Managing Attorney to ensure LOP team has educational and other supports necessary to continue providing services in a changing and challenging legal environment.
Together with the Detention Program Managing Attorney and Pro Bono Coordinating Attorney, develop strategies for increasing representation based on detention population and RMIAN’s capacity for pro bono referrals.
Oversee the day-to-day operations of the LOP at the detention facility, including determining weekly priorities, troubleshooting access issues, and navigating stakeholder relationships.
Serve as point-person with Acacia Justice Center, the primary contractor with the Office of Legal Access Programs at EOIR; work directly with Acacia to troubleshoot issues and to coordinate annual site visits and trainings.
Oversee data reporting; draft quarterly reports.
Supervise LOP staff including several attorneys and two legal administrative staff.
Determine how to best support individual pro se respondents in their legal cases.
Coordinate with Detention Program Managing Attorney and RMIAN Social Services Program as needed to ensure LOP is providing trauma-informed services at all times.
Provide mentorship and training to LOP staff.
Develop and oversee development of new pro se materials to be distributed to individuals through the Legal Orientation Program.
Create and implement systems to enhance efficiency of program.
Direct Representation (10%)
Maintain a small caseload involving detained individuals seeking relief from removal (including representation before the Immigration Court, Board of Immigration Appeals, USCIS, and other agencies).
Outreach, Community Education, Development, and Organizational Efforts (10%)
Participate in RMIAN’s outreach, community education, and development efforts.
Foster relationships with clients willing to engage in campaigns to promote public awareness of RMIAN’s work and its impact on people who seek lasting protection from deportation in the United States.
Participate in internal initiatives related to community building, committee work and other activities within RMIAN.
Required skills and experience:
Admission to any state bar.
Professional-level English & Spanish fluency – both oral and written (will be tested during interviews)
Immigration law experience in removal defense.
Deep dedication to immigration legal services, working with individuals in detention, commitment to working with members of marginalized groups, and people with prior history of involvement in the criminal and immigration legal systems.
Demonstrated cultural competency.
Location:
This position is based out of RMIAN’s office located in Westminster, Colorado but requires frequent travel to the Aurora Contract Detention Facility in Aurora, Colorado. RMIAN’s operations are currently on a hybrid remote/in-person model, requiring at least two days a week of work in RMIAN’s office, or other work-related locations. For the first three months of employment, working three days a week in the office or the detention facility is required. Additional and/or alternative days in the office or detention facility may be required as needed due to the press of business.
RMIAN is committed to the care of our staff and community, and thus requires COVID-19 vaccination for all staff members. All new hires must provide proof of vaccination against COVID-19 or request a reasonable accommodation prior to commencing their employment with RMIAN.
Compensation:
This is a full-time, salaried, exempt position. Salary is commensurate with experience; the range is between $70,000 to $85,000. Salary includes a generous benefits package which includes:
Generous paid time off with 15 days of vacation in the first year of employment and an additional 2 days for each additional year of employment, 10 sick days, 11 Federal holidays, plus, an annual week-long holiday office closure;
Excellent health insurance (100% covered by RMIAN);
Dental & vision insurance (90% covered by RMIAN);
Life insurance, professional liability insurance, and short-term disability insurance (100% covered);
Professional development funds and opportunities;
Eligibility to participate in RMIAN’s Simple IRA retirement plan (RMIAN matches 4%); and
Eligibility to participate in RMIAN’s flexible spending plan.
If this profile calls to you, please send your resume, a writing sample, references, and a short statement that explains why this role is a great fit for you to hr@rmian.org.
RMIAN is an equal opportunity employer and recognizes the importance of diversity in the workplace. We encourage applications from people of color, immigrants, women, members of the LGBTQ community, and other underrepresented and marginalized groups. RMIAN does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, national origin, disability, marital status or veteran status. We are committed to providing an inclusive and welcoming environment free from discrimination.