the Florence Project is hiring a
The Organization:
The Florence Project was founded in 1989 to respond to a representation crisis for indigent non-citizens detained at the rural Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Detention Center in Florence, Arizona. Through our programs today, we provide services to thousands of adults, youth, and children detained in Eloy, Florence, Phoenix, and Tucson, Arizona on any given day. In 2001, the Florence Project implemented our Integrated Social Services Program, one of the first of its kind in this field. The Florence Project provides high quality legal and social services and supports initiatives for national changes in immigration law and policy.
Primary Purpose of the Job:
The Pro Bono Managing Attorney is responsible for leading and overseeing the Pro Bono team within the Children’s Program, as well as, creating, and implementing a strategy for the team that includes an assessment of the current pro bono outreach opportunities and recommendations with input from the Children’s Program Manager and the Adult Program Pro Bono Managing Attorney, for new initiatives, expansion of recruitment efforts, and outreach activities.
The Pro Bono Managing Attorney is accountable for casework and oversight of the day-to-day administration of services, which includes supervising staff members devoted to providing excellent and responsive mentoring service to Pro Bono lawyers handling Florence Project cases.
Essential Duties & Responsibilities:
Supervisory Leadership Responsibilities
Supervise Pro Bono Mentors and Pro Bono Legal Assistants. This includes overseeing and being responsible for the quality of services provided in the Pro Bono team, conducting case reviews with supervised staff as needed, and providing training, mentorship, and support to the legal staff. The Pro Bono Managing Attorney will work closely with the Children’s Program Manager (PM) in updating PM on supervision and oversight. Supervise Staff Attorneys, Law Grads, and other staff members.
Create, implement, and manage outreach and recruitment of Pro Bono Attorneys.
Coordinate and provide or supervise a team member, in regular trainings and presentations to Pro Bono attorneys, legal affinity groups, community groups, and other audiences, as necessary.
Communicate with the Adult Program Pro Bono Managing Attorney and Volunteer Coordinator to build relations and work closely with community partners, law firms, and stakeholders to recruit attorneys through legal recruitment presentations.
Oversee ongoing mentoring and support for attorneys who have cases placed with them for representation.
Design and implement a best practices Pro Bono mentoring method, training, and assessment. Provide overall direction on growth, development, and expansion of Pro Bono Program.
Supervise and maintain accurate and timely data and reports that reflect the work. This includes setting and monitoring metrics for Pro Bono placements.
Manage a small caseload of direct representation and pro bono cases to stay updated on the legal issues.
With the Development Program and the Adult Program Pro Bono Managing Attorney, create an appropriate celebration of our Pro Bono attorneys and volunteers at an annual Pro Bono Appreciation Event.
Oversee case review meetings with legal staff and interns, hire new staff, coordinate orientation for new hires, and plan trainings for legal staff.
Participate in program development with the Legal Director, Deputy Director, and the Executive Director, including participating in annual strategic planning retreats with Board and staff.
Lead the implementation of any changes to the scope of direct representation legal services provided or the model for delivering those services.
Supervise and maintain accurate and timely data and reports that reflect the work.
Oversee collection of data by the legal staff for various grant funded positions, complete quarterly reporting for funders, and participate in network calls, meetings, and trainings.
Attract, retain, lead, coach and develop an effective, diverse team of Staff Attorneys, Managing Legal Assistants, Legal Assistants, Interns, and special project legal fellows, and provide a collegial, calm, and collaborative work environment that is client-centered and ego free.
Develop, monitor, and evaluate staff goals, caseloads, and work plans.
Coach, train, mentor, and support the legal staff to ensure they have the necessary tools and resources needed to optimize performance and achieve established program goals and that effective communication exists among the staff and the team, including establishing and maintaining regular team meetings.
Responsible for working in collaboration with Program Manager regarding hiring, orientation, employee relations, performance management and evaluation of staff.
Oversee criteria and procedures for accepting, opening, managing and closing case files; formulate legal strategies for cases and designate protocols for the allocation of limited resources.
Develop and implement quality assurance protocols; ensure quality of services provided to all stakeholders.
Work with other Managing Attorneys, Executive Director and administrative staff to ensure that FIRRP’s legal practice is in compliance and good standing with all relevant bodies and agencies.
Support Florence Project outreach and development activities as needed.
Advocacy
Other Duties & Responsibilities:
Minimum Requirements:
Must be licensed to practice law in Arizona (or willing to take Arizona bar exam), or eligible to waive into practice in Arizona (have two years of good standing in another state bar or have received a score of 273 or greater on the Universal Bar Exam).
2 years minimum experience providing direct representation to immigrants in removal proceedings or other relevant experience required. Other relevant experience as a lawyer could be considered.
Experience supervising staff or interns and demonstrated ability to inspire confidence in others and play a supportive role.
Be a proactive and engaged supervisor without micromanaging and be a clear and thoughtful decision maker.
In lieu of supervisory experience, leadership potential and excellent communication and interpersonal skills, as well as ability to learn and execute a variety of job requirements with the capacity to be trained to be an effective manager may be considered.
Demonstrate commitment to advocating for indigent immigrant clients in a respectful and empowering way.
Demonstrate a zealous support of the Florence Project’s mission.
Must be comfortable working with people with criminal convictions.
Demonstrated comfort with public speaking.
Strong litigation experience and/or oral advocacy skills.
Strong legal research.
Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work with diverse populations.
Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing.
Highly organized, an innovative thinker, and work in high-volume settings with limited resources.
Excellent problem solving, research and analytical skills.
Effectively manage multiple projects and meet deadlines.
Demonstrate to be a hardworking, flexible, respectful team player that can work effectively in a collaborative, innovative, and client centered work environment.
Ability to work independently, be adaptable and reliable in the face of conflict, pressure, crisis or changing priorities.
Exhibit high ethical standards and the ability to maintain confidentiality.
Must be able to pass federal and state background checks.
Fluency or advanced proficiency in Spanish required.
Travel is required for this position.
Must have a valid driver’s license and reliable transportation.
Proven computer skills. Advanced understanding of basic office applications.
Preferred Qualifications:
Working Conditions/Physical Demands:
Salary & Benefits
This is a full-time position. Salary is competitive for our field and geographical area and is commensurate with experience: $78,000-$89,000 annually. We strive to create and uphold a positive, supportive, and inclusive work environment for all staff. We offer excellent benefits, including:
Medical plans including health, dental, vision coverage, subject to plan terms
Short Term Disability
Eligibility for group benefits such as voluntary life insurance, subject to applicable waiting periods
Retirement plan, subject to plan terms
Paid Time Off earned on a biweekly accrual basis- Twenty-five (25) Days of Vacation Time, annually
Five (5) Days of Medical/Sick Time, annually
One (1) Day of Personal Time, monthly
Eight (8) Week Paid Sabbatical, after Three (3) years of employment
Bereavement leave
Company-paid federal holidays, all observed
Eligible for Parental Leave which includes Twelve (12) paid weeks
Mileage reimbursement for travel between offices and places of work
Relocation Assistance for out of state new hires
Application Process:
This is an immediate opening. Salary is competitive for our field and geographical area and is commensurate with experience. The position will remain open until we receive enough qualified applicants. To apply, please submit a cover letter detailing your interest in the position as well as your resume, three professional references. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, and candidates are encouraged to apply early. Only those selected for an interview will be contacted. The Florence Project values diversity in the workplace and strongly encourages applications from people of color, LGBTQ individuals, persons with disabilities, and members of underrepresented communities.
At FIRRP, we recognize that people come with a wealth of experience and talent beyond just the requirements of a job. If your experience is close to what you see listed in our current job opportunities, please still consider applying. Diversity of experience and skills combined with passion is a key to innovation and excellence, which is very much valued at FIRRP. Therefore, we encourage people from all backgrounds to apply to our positions. Please let us know if you require accommodations during the interview process.
This job announcement is for informational purposes only and is subject to change and modification without notice. This job announcement includes a non-exhaustive list of responsibilities, qualifications and requirements of the position, but does not necessarily include all the job functions of the position.