Two-Year Fellowship Staff Attorney
Agency Name: Northwest Immigrant Rights Project
Position / Job Title : Two-Year Fellowship Staff Attorney
Location: Seattle, WA
Category : Attorney
Job Description: SUMMARY:
Northwest Immigrant Rights Project (NWIRP) seeks a full-time Temporary Staff Attorney to work in the Removal Defense Unit as part of our Seattle office for a period of two years, beginning on March 12, 2025, or as soon as possible. Applicants must be fluent in English and at least one other language.
As a staff attorney fellow funded by Service Employees International Union-Local 775, you will offer consultation and brief legal services to union staff, and make referrals internally and to pro bono attorneys. You will also provide legal as well as Know Your Rights workshops to union membership and provide consultation as necessary.
ABOUT NORTHWEST IMMIGRANT RIGHTS PROJECT:
Founded in 1984, Northwest Immigrant Rights Project (NWIRP) is a nationally-recognized legal services organization on the front lines of defending and advancing the rights of immigrants. With over 150 employees, NWIRP provides direct legal representation and assistance in immigration matters to thousands of people with low incomes who come from over 150 countries and speak over 60 different languages.
NWIRP challenges unjust policies through high-impact lawsuits and advocates for laws and policies that respect the rights of immigrants. NWIRP is also a trusted provider of immigration-related community education for immigrant communities and social service providers. NWIRP serves the community through four offices in Washington State (Granger, Seattle, Tacoma and Wenatchee), but the impact of our work is felt nationwide.
NWIRP’s Removal Defense Unit provides direct representation and pro se assistance to individuals facing removal proceedings. Attorneys maintain a diverse caseload and assist individuals in applying for various forms of relief, including asylum, withholding of removal, protection under the Convention Against Torture, U and T nonimmigrant statuses, cancellation of removal, waivers of inadmissibility, family petitions and post-conviction relief.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
All NWIRP staff attorneys are expected to:
Provide direct representation to individuals in removal proceedings before the Immigration Court, on appeal to the Board of Immigration Appeals or before the federal courts, and before the Department of Homeland Security;
Provide direct representation to persons submitting affirmative applications with USCIS and the Department of State;
Conduct presentations, workshops, legal clinics, and intakes, by phone and in person;
Conduct case analysis to determine eligibility for immigration protections/status under the immigration laws;
Maintain a working knowledge of significant policies, laws, practices, and trends in immigration law, particularly as it impacts low-income immigrants and those impacted by the criminal justice system;
Establish, organize, and maintain files up to date;
Perform administrative tasks related to grant reporting such as timekeeping, submitting timesheets, tracking training, and other duties in a timely manner;
Participate in NWIRP’s outreach, community education, and development efforts; and
Perform other tasks and responsibilities assigned by supervisory staff depending upon NWIRP’s needs.
SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS:
Law degree;
Admission to the bar of any state in the U.S.;
Demonstrated commitment to immigrant rights and eagerness to support NWIRP’s mission, vision and values;
Excellent writing, communication, interpersonal, and organizational skills;
Ability to provide trauma-informed and culturally-inclusive legal representation;
Commitment to creating a welcoming, professional, and inclusive environment for staff and clients;
Commitment to working with a diverse community and in a challenging working environment;
Fluency in English and at least one other language (additional languages are encouraged);
Strong ability to work independently, as well as in a team environment;
Proficiency in use of web-based software, Microsoft Office applications (including Word and Excel), and web peer-to-peer communication platforms; familiarity with G-suite tools (Google Docs, Google Sheets and Gmail);
Prior immigration law and removal experience preferred;
Prior experience working with survivors of domestic violence or sexual assault is preferred;
Experience handling a high-volume caseload preferred;
Sound judgment and decision-making skills;
Strong organizational skills;
Ability to take on a substantive caseload, and;
The applicant must have a valid driver’s license as the position involves some travel.
Physical demands: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, stand and walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; talk and hear; utilize a phone, computer, keyboard, pen, and paper. Occasional work on night and weekend hours. Travel may be required. Travel reimbursements apply.
Emotional demands: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to discuss topics including, but not limited, to discrimination; child abuse, neglect, abandonment; domestic abuse; violence, and psychological trauma. Occasional work in a detention center environment.
Standard hours of work are Monday – Friday, 9 am – 5 pm, with a 30 – 60 minute unpaid lunch, but occasional evening and weekend work hours may be required.
At the time of this posting, NWIRP staff is operating in a hybrid model, and some in-office work will be expected of this position (at least two full days per week).
BENEFITS AND COMPENSATION:
This is an exempt salary position and the minimum annual salary for candidates who have a law degree, but are awaiting Bar admission and have no experience is currently $81,257.80; and salaries are higher for staff attorneys with specific types of experience. For example, for someone with 5 years of directly relevant experience, the annual salary would be $94,619.00; the current salary maximum is based on 40 years of experience, equaling $149,245.
This temporary full-time position is not covered by NWIRP’s Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA). However, the temporary staff member will still have access to most of NWIRP’s generous benefits package, which currently includes:
Fully paid health, vision and dental plans for employee-level coverage with employer-funded HRA and HSA options;
FSA and Dependent Care accounts;
Automatic, employer contribution of 3% to 403(b) retirement plan;
Generous paid health-related leave (12 days per year);
Generous paid vacation (16 days during your first year);
14 paid Holidays with the ability to float 5 holidays;
Employer-paid disability, life, AD&D and long-term care insurance;
Eligibility to earn compensatory time;
Opportunities for paid professional development; and
New employees may be eligible for a relocation bonus, per the CBA.
Subsidized transit pass.
NWIRP is an eligible employer under the Federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program.
COMMITMENT TO INCLUSIVITY, EQUITY AND REPRESENTATION:
Northwest Immigrant Rights Project is an equal opportunity employer committed to having a diverse staff, board, and volunteer base reflective of the communities we serve and that enhances our ability to create a vibrant environment where all members of the NWIRP community thrive. We strongly encourage applications from individuals who identify as Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC), immigrants (including people who were formerly detained, undocumented, or who have navigated the immigration legal system), women, people with disabilities, members of the LGBTQ+ community, and individuals with diverse cultural backgrounds and language abilities.
NWIRP is committed to providing a work environment free from discrimination and harassment. NWIRP does not discriminate on the basis of class, race, color, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, political ideology, age, creed, religion, ancestry, national origin, or the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability. Excepting any undue hardship, NWIRP will provide reasonable accommodations upon request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the selection process. Please contact HR@nwirp.org.
REPORTS TO:
Supervising Attorney
TO APPLY:
Please apply & upload a single-file document through our Careers Page containing your cover letter, resume, and a list of (3) professional references.
In your cover letter, please address:
1) How your personal or professional experiences qualify you for this role, and;
2) What challenges you recognize as barriers to providing legal advocacy to immigrant community members.
Full consideration will be given to those who apply by March 7, 2025 but applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until the position is filled.
Link to Application: https://secure3.entertimeonline.com/ta/90199.careers?CareersSearch=&lang=en-US