Position Summary: The Director of Immigration Legal Services is responsible for overseeing and managing all aspects of the immigration legal services program. This includes providing strategic leadership, ensuring the delivery of high-quality legal services to clients, and managing a team of attorneys and support staff. The Director will develop and implement program goals, policies, and procedures, while ensuring compliance with legal and ethical standards. They will also be responsible for building and maintaining relationships with community partners, funders, and stakeholders to support the program's growth and sustainability..
Supervisory Responsibility: This position will have responsibility for up to 18 staff and 10-15 volunteers.
- All responsibilities will be in line with the Council on Accreditation (COA) standards including:
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The Director will provide overall development and supervision of immigration legal services provided to the immigrant communities of Alameda and Contra Costa counties.
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The Director will work with the Chief Program Officer to ensure that the program is directed by agency goals and priorities as indicated in the Strategic Plan.
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The Director will be responsible for developing a culturally competent environment, culturally competent policies and procedures, and culturally competent literature.
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This position will manage the Legal Services Program Manager, Senior Staff Attorney, Immigration Attorneys, DOJ Accredited Representatives, Paralegal, Legal Assistants, and other applicable program staff at our offices in Oakland, Richmond, and Concord.
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The Director will monitor performance goals for each staff member and provide each staff with annual performance evaluations and performance improvement plans when necessary.
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The Director will implement best practices across all sites, develop policies and procedures for Immigration Legal Services in accordance with appropriate standards, and maintain a culture of continuous quality improvement, through evaluation of strengths and weaknesses of the services and regular outcomes measurement and analysis.
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This position will coordinate the training needs of all staff, to maintain accredited status for DOJ representatives or comply with continuing legal education requirements for attorneys.
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The Director will act as liaison to internal programs and services. and external stakeholders and community partners as appropriate.
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The Director will represent our agency to other organizations as assigned, at community functions, and at other events as requested.
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The Director will attend community meetings, agency administrative meetings, and program leadership team meetings, and act as facilitator when appropriate.
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The Director will calendar and set the agenda for regular legal team case rounds.
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The Director will assist in recruiting, training, and supervising legal volunteers.
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Must be available to work some weekends and evenings.
- Other duties as assigned.
Financial and Administrative:
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The Director has major financial and administrative responsibilities that contribute to the successful running of the program as well as positively impact the overall agency.
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This position will work with the Finance Department, and is responsible for tracking revenues and expenses, reviewing financial statements, compiling projections, ensuring appropriate levels of spending within approved budget and grant allowable-cost guidelines, and adjusting spending and allocations based on changes in service requirements, revenue and business environment. The Director is the primary budget for the Immigration Legal Services division and will participate in and be prepared for monthly financial reviews.
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The Director is responsible for ensuring fee collection goals are met per budget agreements.
- This position will work with the Human Resources Department to ensure all required paperwork for leaves of absences, performance evaluations, change in status forms (class forms), and job requisitions are completed and submitted in accordance with Department guidelines.
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The Director is responsible for ensuring that all timesheets, requests for time off, and approvals of timecards organizations time keeping system.
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Assist Chief Program Officer in working towards overall sustainability of Catholic Charities.
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Assist Chief Program Officer with the development of a program logic model and related indicators of success.
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Assist Chief Program Officer in implementing best practices across all offices.
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Immigration Legal Services will have processes for indicator measurement, quality and review.
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Immigration Legal Services will have accurate data collection for grant reporting and proposals.
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A Juris Doctorate JD, and 40+ hours of immigration law training.
- Must be a registered member in good standing with the California Bar Association with rights and privileges to practice in the state of California.
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A minimum of 3 years of direct immigration law experience and a minimum of 3 years providing administrative and management support in a professional office environment.
- A minimum of 3 years experience in a supervisory role with direct supervision of attorneys, paralegals, and legal assistants required.
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Must have proven and strong leadership skills, working to coordinate outreach for legal services at local events and with other service providers.
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Commitment to client empowerment.
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Experience recruiting, supervising and training multiple volunteers in administrative and direct services tasks.
- High Analytical abilities to process large amounts of data from multiple sources. Ability to prioritize across multiple types of work and coordinate the work of others.
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High level of independent judgment required.
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Professional technology skills including Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, Adobe Acrobat, and database software. Ability to scan, edit and create .pdf files and experience with online forms, shared drives and cloud folders.
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Ability to network and interact internally and externally.
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Bilingual English and Spanish encouraged or other second language capabilities.
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Valid Drivers license and available transportation, with proof of insurance.
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Experience serving clients from diverse cultures.
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Highly effective communication; demonstrates a fundamental respect for the dignity of others. Works collegially and is a proven team builder. Inclined to coach and teach in order to improve knowledge and ability of others, but holds people accountable for results.
- Creative thinker, capable of seeing potential in creating new relationships to expand programs that are mission aligned.
- Understands and values quality improvement. Able to effectively address overlapping projects and deadlines. Adaptable and reliable in face of conflict, crisis, or changing priorities.
- A demonstrated commitment to diversity and inclusion; valuing a diversity of perspectives and encouraging contributions by all team members.
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Business literate, understands financial reports, applies data to assess business effectiveness and efficiency, and acts in a fiscally responsible manner.
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Politically astute and tactful; attentive to the perspectives and competing interests of various internal and external stakeholders.
- Ability to thrive in a flexible, fast-paced, accredited, and growth-oriented environment while maintaining a positive solution-oriented approach.
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High level of oral, and written communication, ability to speak to explain complex legal procedures to a many audience.
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Community Liaison to Chancery Yes
- Impact on Organizational Goals Yes
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Budget Responsibilities Yes
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Supervisory Responsibilities Staff and volunteers
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Training/Developing Staff Staff and volunteers
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Management of Program Yes
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Check Signer No
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Negotiator No
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Contract Signer No
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Business Development No