Immigration Program Manager

Job Overview:

The Immigration Program Manager, provides guidance, leadership, and direct support for immigration legal and related civic engagement services. The Program Manager is responsible for supervision of legal services provided by DOJ accredited representatives, and staff and intern performance as well as program delivery, implementation, and development. The Program Manager is expected to be either accredited by the US Department of Justice (DOJ) through IRC or is an attorney admitted to any state bar to represent clients in immigration matters before United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

Major Responsibilities:

Program Development & Leadership

• Represent IRC at immigration-related meetings and events in the community, with partners and funders, and with government agencies, including by giving presentations.
• Create and support implementation of outreach strategy. Develop and implement media opportunities in conjunction with the Executive Director, Communications and External Relations Manager, and Senior Development Manager for publicizing local immigration work/services.
• Cultivate partnerships and opportunities with key legal service providers, community-based organizations, and other local organizations or institutions, to enhance collaboration and outreach for legal and civic engagement services.
• Develop strategic plan for immigration and related services, incorporating client and partner feedback, to increase responsiveness of services, increase sustainability, and improve service delivery.
• Cultivate donors, identify funding opportunities, and solicit funds through grants and opportunities.
• Serve on Program Management Team and work effectively across programs to further IRC’s mission. Contribute to and support office-wide Strategic Action Plan.

Direct Client Services

• Maintain a limited caseload of cases before US Citizenship & Immigration Services, including family reunification, adjustment of status, and naturalization cases
• Stay apprised of relevant immigration law and policy, and maintain DOJ accreditation or admission to the bar by attending and keeping records of continuing legal education training and credits.
• Maintain strict client confidentiality and observe all ethical practices/obligations as outlined in IRC’s Immigration Program Policies Manual.

Program and Staff Supervision

• Provide daily direct supervision to immigration services staff employing 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.
• Ensure all cases have high-quality legal review and that clients are counseled appropriately on their immigration options and potential risks and consequences of applying for certain immigration benefits.
• Ensure immigration staff adhere to the IRC Immigration Program Policies Manual, including through regular mentorship, direct observations of key client service activities (e.g., client intakes), and by ensuring staff receive frequent, ongoing relevant (internal and external) legal training, including on legal ethics, and have the most up-to-date guidance regarding immigration adjudication trends and policies.
• Ensure all staff, interns and volunteers have a clear understanding of what activities constitute the unauthorized practice of law and how these boundaries should be applied in IRC’s legal service model.
• Develop and monitor case acceptance policies and caseload targets and limits.
• Promote and develop a high functioning, collaborative team and ensure effective integration of internships and volunteers within programs; collaborate with other IRC program areas as appropriate to ensure client-centered service.
• 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.
• Oversee and/or conduct regular internal case file reviews (paper files and electronic case files) to ensure compliance with IRC Immigration Program Policies as well as any donor requirements.
• Develop/maintain effective quality assurance systems and processes for course correction.
• Serve as the key liaison with the Immigration HQ Technical Unit for caseload and ongoing legal work, including participating in regular calls and trainings.

Data Management & Reporting

• Responsible for accurate and timely completion of all program reports as required by funding sources, headquarters, and other partners.
• Track monthly and quarterly performance and ensure all client work is documented in Lolly Law and ETO.
• Track budget spending for immigration, including against grants as well as progress of revenue against goals.
• Regularly consolidate immigration fees with finance colleagues.

Job Requirements:

• Law degree (JD or LLM) from an ABA-accredited U.S. institute and admission to any state bar or equivalent work experience combined with DOJ accreditation with the IRCN
• At least 3 years of professional experience representing individuals before USCIS.
• At least 3 years of experience providing supervision in a legal services context and program management.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and cultivate partnerships in furtherance of program development goals.
• Demonstrated understanding of fiscal management and reporting required. Proven track record in business development, including proposal writing and development, grant management, and budgeting, highly desired.
• Excellent English written and oral communication skills, including presentation skills.
• Proficiency in another language strongly preferred.
• Ability and passion to train and mentor staff with less experience on immigration legal issues.
• Ability and passion to strengthen programs through best practices and innovative approaches.
• Proven understanding of legal ethics standards and ability to instruct others on core principles of legal professional conduct.
• Excellent organizational and time management skills
• Ability to be flexible and work well under pressure in a fast-paced team environment.
• Previous multi-cultural experience and proven ability to communicate well with people from diverse backgrounds strongly preferred.
• Proven ability to work effectively as a member of a team and to exercise independent judgment responsibly.

Certificates or Licenses:

• Department of Justice accreditation with the IRC required or admission to any state bar.

Working Environment:**

• Standard office environment with occasional participation in community outreach and legal assistance events.
• May require occasional weekend and/or evening work.

COVID-19 Vaccination Requirement: In accordance with IRC’s duty to provide and maintain a workplace that is free of known hazards and our commitment to safeguard the health of our employees, clients, and communities, IRC requires new hires to furnish proof of vaccination against COVID-19 in order to be considered for any in-office or hybrid positions. All IRC US offices require full vaccination to attend any in-office functions (e.g., meetings, trainings).

Commitment to Diversity and Inclusivity: IRC is committed to building a diverse organization and a climate of inclusivity. We strongly encourage applications from candidates who can demonstrate that they can contribute to this goal.

Equal Opportunity Employer: We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.

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 $120 per month, dental starting at $7 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.