Managing Attorney

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world's worst humanitarian crises, helping to restore health, safety, education, economic wellbeing, and power to people devastated by conflict and disaster. Founded in 1933 at the call of Albert Einstein, the IRC is one of the world's largest international humanitarian non-governmental organizations (INGO), at work in more than 40 countries and 29 U.S. cities helping people to survive, reclaim control of their future and strengthen their communities. A force for humanity, IRC employees deliver lasting impact by restoring safety, dignity and hope to millions. If you're a solutions-driven, passionate change-maker, come join us in positively impacting the lives of millions of people world-wide for a better future.

JOB OVERVIEW: 

The Managing Attorney will oversee immigration legal services at IRC-NY, including (1) the NY Pro Se Assistance Program, which provides comprehensive legal consultations, immigration court preparation, asylum application support, and other pro se filing assistance to individuals in removal proceedings; as well as (2) IRC’s longstanding immigration legal services program, which provides low-cost immigration legal services to refugees, immigrants and other community members seeking family reunification, adjustment of status, naturalization, and other immigration benefits before USCIS. 

The Managing Attorney will bring not only legal expertise and a passion for this area of work, but also the ability to motivate and mentor a team of legal professionals in a dynamic and fast-paced environment. The position will work in close collaboration with a range of community partners, local IRC-NY leadership, and the Legal Services Technical Unit (TU) at IRC’s headquarters, which oversees IRC’s 24 legal service programs across the US, including four offices that have removal defense programs. The Managing Attorney will strategize on funding for sustainable legal services and bring enthusiasm and vision for shaping legal program design.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES: 

• Oversee legal strategy through daily direct supervision of a team of legal practitioners, including attorneys and Department of Justice-accredited representative. 
• Employ adaptive management techniques to provide regular individual supervision and support; mentor staff, set clear performance expectations and goals, give regular performance feedback, help prioritize workloads, help troubleshoot challenges, and maintain appropriate professional development plans.
• Develop and monitor intake procedures, case acceptance policies, and caseload targets and limits. 
• Provide direct legal representation to a limited caseload of clients before USCIS, including on complex cases.
• Actively co-facilitate and support grant opening, grant review, and grant closing meetings, and lead all aspects of grant cycle, including developing/implementing monitoring & evaluation plans. 
• Ensure program data is collected consistently, managed appropriately and reported timely, using IRC’s legal case management database and other relevant case management systems. 
• Ensure effective integration of internships and volunteers within programs. 
• Collaborate and work effectively with other IRC program areas, as appropriate, to ensure client-centered services, in furtherance of IRC’s mission. 
• Establish, maintain, and periodically refresh legal services program policies and procedures in collaboration with IRC’s Legal Services Technical Unit; oversee and/or conduct regular case file reviews (paper files and/or electronic case files) to ensure compliance with legal case management procedures. 
• Create and maintain a viable outreach strategy to cultivate and maintain strong relationships with community-based organizations, the private bar, and nonprofit legal providers; pursue program initiatives with partners that further goals and address unmet demand.
• Work closely with the HQ Legal Services Technical Unit and field offices as part of IRC’s immigration legal services network.
• Serve as a strong advocate for humanitarian immigrants. 

KEY WORKING RELATIONSHIPS: 

Position Reports to: Deputy Director, IRC-NY. Position liaises closely with HQ Legal Services Technical Unit.

Position Directly Supervises: 4 staff attorneys, 1 DOJ Accredited Representative, and interns.

JOB REQUIREMENTS: 

• Law degree (JD or LLM) from an ABA-accredited U.S. institution and member in good standing of any state bar;
• Minimum 5 to 7 years’ experience providing direct representation to refugees and other humanitarian migrants in affirmative applications such as adjustment of status, naturalization, family petitions, and consular processing; experience representing asylum seekers before the immigration court and the Board of Immigration Appeals. 
• At least 2 years of experience providing supervision to attorneys and/or DOJ accredited representatives in a legal services context. Program management experience preferred.
• Experience managing and administering private and public grants, including grant proposals, budgeting, and reporting. Fundraising experience preferred. 
• Strong legal supervision skills and superb legal judgment; 
• Ability to oversee and provide supervision on a reasonably high case volume and work under time pressure;
• Experience organizing and facilitating immigration workshops and immigration information sessions;
• Outstanding communication and interpersonal skills;
• Collaborative leader who will thrive on working in partnership with local leadership and the HQ Legal Services Technical Unit.
• Bilingual in one or more languages preferred (eg, Spanish, French, Arabic);
• Deep commitment to working with humanitarian immigrants;
• Trauma-informed and sensitive listening and communication skills;
• Desire to join a team working to protect due process and immigrant rights; and
• Must have ability to travel frequently in and around the service area to engage with clients and community partners.

Compensation: (Pay Rate: $95,000 - $109,000). Ranges are based on various factors including the labor market, job type, internal equity, and budget.  Exact offers are calibrated by work location, individual candidate experience and skills relative to the defined job requirements. 

PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS

All International Rescue Committee workers must adhere to the core values and principles outlined in IRC Way - Standards for Professional Conduct. Our Standards are Integrity, Service, Equality and Accountability. In accordance with these values, the IRC operates and enforces policies on Safeguarding, Conflicts of Interest, Fiscal Integrity, and Reporting Wrongdoing and Protection from Retaliation. IRC is committed to take all necessary preventive measures and create an environment where people feel safe, and to take all necessary actions and corrective measures when harm occurs. IRC builds teams of professionals who promote critical reflection, power sharing, debate, and objectivity to deliver the best possible services to our clients.

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Compensation: Posted pay ranges apply to US-based candidates. Ranges are based on various factors including the labor market, job type, internal equity, and budget.  Exact offers are calibrated by work location, individual candidate experience and skills relative to the defined job requirements.

US Benefits: We offer a comprehensive and highly competitive set of benefits. In the US, these include: 10 sick days, 10 US holidays, 20-25 paid time off days depending on role and tenure, medical insurance starting at $163 per month, dental starting at $6.50 per month, and vision starting at $5 per month, FSA for healthcare and commuter costs, a 403b retirement savings plans with immediately vested matching, disability & life insurance, and an Employee Assistance Program which is available to our staff and their families to support counseling and care in times of crisis and mental health struggles.

Equal Opportunity Employer: IRC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. IRC considers all applicants on the basis of merit without regard to race, sex, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, disability or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

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Why Choose the IRC?

Work that has meaning: Every day at the IRC is a chance to make a difference through a purpose-driven career. Whether you're working directly with communities or providing support behind the scenes, you will be part of a dynamic team that is always innovating, scaling, and testing new and better solutions to ensure the best possible outcomes for the people we serve.

Global scale, dynamic workplace: At the IRC, we believe that the dynamic, global make-up of our team is our strength. When you join us, you're not just starting a job—you will be part of a global organization positively impacting millions of lives in over 40 get to work with colleagues from all around the world—working across time zones and regularly exchanging different ideas, perspectives and insights. You’ll join a team that is dedicated to fostering a supportive environment to create a workplace where everyone feels valued, respected, and heard.  

Challenging work, innovative solutions: We’re committed to excellence and innovation, and pride ourselves in setting industry-leading standards while practicing evidence and data-lead strategies. Come challenge norms, shatter conventions, and pioneer change while working on real, nuanced and complex issues we face in the world today.  

Community centered: We’re an empathetic community that truly cares for one another. Our comprehensive safety and security initiatives ensure a safe work environment, while our continuous learning and development programs provide ongoing opportunities for personal and career advancement.

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Our Typical Recruitment Process

The interview process typically includes three rounds, though the number may vary depending on the role and level of seniority. It usually begins with a conversation with our recruiting team to learn more about you and your goals. This is followed by an interview with a hiring manager or business stakeholder to explore your background and provide more insight into the role. The final round focuses on assessing your role-specific expertise and may be conducted as a panel interview to evaluate your cross-functional strengths. Before extending an offer, we generally conduct reference checks, and after an offer is made, a standard background check is completed. While we strive for consistency, the process may differ based on the role, business unit, location, job type, legal requirements, and other factors.

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