Managing Attorney, Partnerships & Advocacy

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Safe Passage Project

Managing Attorney, Partnerships & Advocacy

NYC, NY
Full Time
Paid
  • Responsibilities

    About Safe Passage Project

    Safe Passage Project (SPP) is a highly focused nonprofit immigration legal services organization that provides free lawyers to immigrant children facing deportation. Founded in 2013, SPP has grown to include 50+ employees, two offices, and an annual budget of over $5 million. It manages over 1,400 open cases a year.

    To date, SPP has supported more than 3,000 young people in NYC and Long Island. The New York Immigration Courts, some of the busiest immigration courts in the US, have more than 15,000 juveniles on their dockets, many of whom are fleeing trauma in their countries of origin such as gang violence and recruitment, abuse, and sexual assault. Immigrant children are not afforded free legal representation by the government, regardless of their age. As a result, more than half of immigrant children in immigration proceedings must go to court without the aid of a lawyer. Among unaccompanied children with legal representation, immigration court data shows that 73% are allowed to remain in the United States, whereas only 15% of unrepresented children are allowed to stay. This is where Safe Passage Project steps in, both through providing immigrant youth with direct representation by staff attorneys and through a robust network of pro bono attorneys that SPP trains, mentors, and supervises.

    About the Rol

    Reporting ****to the Executive Director, the Managing Attorney, Partnerships & Advocacy will be responsible for supervising a Program Associate and overseeing and managing the following key areas:

    Pro Bono/Volunteer Engagement

    Safe Passage works with approximately 400 pro bono attorneys and almost 100 volunteer interpreters. Safe Passage also recruits legal interns and fellows. The following are key responsibilities:

    • Manages and fosters relationships with pro bono partners at law firms and corporations

    • Leads the recruitment, vetting, training, and mentorship of pro bono volunteers

    • Provides support to Safe Passage Project staff in mentoring of pro bono volunteers from various legal fields

    • Leads Internship and Fellowship recruitment and management

    Trainings and Know Your Rights

    • Develops and maintains sample litigation documents, training manuals, and other materials for use by Safe Passage Project staff and pro bono attorneys
    • Supports in developing trauma-informed, human-centered lawyering practices
    • Maintains and updates Know Your Rights (KYR) materials
    • Point person in managing KYR and other training requests

    Policy and Advocacy Work

    Safe Passage Project is engaged in local, state, and national advocacy on behalf of immigrant youth.

    • Serves as Safe Passage Project's representative at coalition meetings
    • Coordinates advocacy with stakeholders and partners
    • Engages with elected officials on legislative matters
    • Serves as point person for advocacy related sign-on opportunities, participation in amicus briefs, etc.
    • Engages with local and national stakeholders on immigration policy matters
    • Provides updates on immigration law and policy to Safe Passage Project staff and volunteers
    • Coordinates strategic litigation projects

    Additional Responsibilities

    • Carries a small caseload representing minors in their immigration cases
    • Performs additional functions and responsibilities as assigned by the Executive Director

    Qualifications

    The strongest candidates for this position will have most, though likely not all, of the following qualifications and characteristics:

    • J.D. from an accredited law school and admission to the New York State bar
    • 7+ years experience as an immigration lawyer, providing legal services to immigrants
    • Experience managing volunteer engagement; working with law firm volunteers is a plus
    • Experience working on local, state, and national immigration advocacy campaigns is a plus
    • Strong database and computer skills (experience with Salesforce preferred)
    • Demonstrated experience maintaining multifaceted relationships with various stakeholders
    • Excellent multitasking and project management abilities, with a proven track record of handling complex projects efficiently
    • Excellent writing, communication, and interpersonal skills
    • Exceptional organizational, time management, and record-keeping skills
    • A high level of discretion in handling confidential information
    • Proven adaptability and flexibility in a dynamic and fast-paced environment, with proactive problem-solving skills
    • A spirit for collaboration and being a team player
    • A demonstrated ability to understand, communicate with, and effectively interact with people across cultures, as well as sensitivity to and knowledge of the various dimensions of diversity, including gender, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, age, disability, and socioeconomic status
    • Fluency in Spanish a plus
    • A commitment to Safe Passage Project's mission and desire to make a difference in children's lives

    Compensation and Benefits

    Safe Passage Project offers a competitive salary in the range of $120,000-$140,000 annually and offers the following benefits:

    • A hybrid work environment
    • Open Paid Time Off
    • Medical plans (which includes 1 plan that has 100% premium coverage).
    • Dental plans, Vision plans, and telehealth services.
    • An employer-sponsored retirement savings plan- we provide up to 6% employer match of your 401(k) contributions
    • 12 weeks of Paid Family Leave along with Unpaid Leave of Absence
    • Short-term disability (STD) & Long-term disability (LTD) Coverage
    • Flexible spending accounts (FSA) and Health savings accounts (HSA)
    • Commuter benefits
    • Voluntary Life Insurance plans
    • Pet Health Insurance
    • Yearly Professional Development Stipend
    • Time off from December 24th to January 1st
    • Home Office Stipend
    • Paid Holidays
    • Flexible work schedule

    The team works on a beautiful campus at a terrific office location in Tribeca, and in our Long Island office. Safe Passage Project is proud to have a top-down, bottom-up commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.

    Safe Passage Project is an equal-opportunity employer. Women, people of color, LGBTQ people, veterans, and people with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

    For more information on Safe Passage Project, please visit www.safepassageproject.org.