Post Bar Clerkship (Temporary), Immigration Legal Services

Position Title: Post Bar Clerkship (Temporary)

Organization: Jewish Family Service of San Diego

Department: Immigration Legal Services

Position Type: Temporary (37.5 hours/week, Non-Exempt)

Temporary Date: August 2024 - December 2024

Work Setting: Hybrid

Reports To: Lead Immigration Advocate

Pay Range: $32 to $35.89/hour

Total Compensation:

In addition to standard pay, compensation for this position includes:

• Comprehensive, low-cost healthcare coverage for employees (if working 30 hours or more)
• Employer-covered life insurance (if working 30 hours or more)

Time Away from Work:

Being able to take time away from work is critical in bringing your best self to work. Time off benefits for this position include:

• Sick Pay – 1 hour for every 30 hours  

Position Overview: 

Jewish Family Service of San Diego (JFS) is one of four refugee resettlement agencies in San Diego County, a Department of Justice Recognized organization, and a core partner of the San Diego Rapid Response Network (SDRRN) - a group of 40+ immigrant rights and social service organizations, attorneys and community leaders who educate, protect and assist immigrant individuals and families – including refugees and asylum seekers – with legal support and social services. JFS has a large Immigration Legal Services Department (ILSD) where it not only coordinates the legal services for SDRRN, but also has a large team of lawyers, DOJ accredited representatives, and support staff working on a wide range of services for low-income and vulnerable immigrants in San Diego and Imperial counties. This position will work within the ILSD team at JFS. The ILSD team specializes in removal defense, family-based petitions and applications, administrative relief, naturalization, and humanitarian relief.  The ILSD team has experience and regularly practices immigration law before Department of Homeland Security (DHS), such as with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Border Patrol (BP) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP), as well as before the Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR) at the San Diego, Otay Mesa and Imperial Immigration Courts and Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA), and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit.  The ILSD team also represents clients in relevant immigration matters before San Diego Superior Court on simple post-conviction relief and probate guardianship matters. The ILSD is also the legal service provider which coordinates the Higher Education Legal Services (HELS) program at 2 CA State Universities – San Diego State and CSU San Marcos, in addition to 9 community colleges in San Diego and Imperial counties.

Under the Supervision of the Affirmative Services supervisors, the Post Bar Clerk will be responsible for providing direct legal representation to Ukrainian nationals. The Post Bar Clerk will provide direct legal representation in affirmative cases, and removal defense cases, if we receive referrals for those types of cases. The types of affirmative services vary, but some examples include Ukrainian re-parole, Temporary Protective Status, Affirmative Asylum, Family-Based petitions, crime victims seeking VAWA or U visas, work permit applications, and immigrant youth seeking Special Immigrant Juvenile Status. This position will require flexibility as the goal is to help as many Ukrainian nationals as possible with immigration legal services. The list of immigration legal services may be more expansive than the examples listed above, and it may include representation in removal proceedings.

Responsibilities:  

Under the supervision of direct supervisor, Managing and Directing Attorneys:

• Provide legal orientation, counseling, and education regarding a range of immigration legal services faces to members of the Ukrainian community in San Diego County (this position is specifically funded to work with Ukrainian community)
• Handle complex immigration legal issues
• Successfully manage and coordinate a full caseload of active cases
• Conduct immigration legal screenings, follow-up and communicate effectively with potential clients
• Provide eligibility and risk assessment for individuals and families seeking immigration representation before the DHS and EOIR
• Have an ongoing excellent track record in preparing successful immigration filings before USCIS, EOIR, ICE, BP, and CBP’s Office of Field Operations (OFO)
• Stay in constant communication with clients about the status of their pending immigration cases
• Coordinate and document client communications
• Participate in community workshops, information sessions, and other outreach activities, as needed
• Stay up to date on rapidly changing immigration laws and policies
• Comply with data and program reporting requirements
• Be ready to perform any additional case management or administrative tasks

Skills/Experience/Abilities That Are a Must-Have:

• Juris Doctorate degree and awaiting admission to the bar of any state or the District of Columbia
• A minimum of 1-3 years of experience in immigration law
• Excellent interpersonal skills, including good communication and listening skills, attention to detail, and professional attitude
• Strong case management, legal research, and legal writing skills
• Demonstrated ability and willingness to zealously pursue new and untested legal theories
• Demonstrated ability to take initiative and work under pressure
• Ability to work both independently and in a group setting
• Ability to work flexible hours, including some evenings and weekends, if needed
• Must have a valid driver’s license, access to an automobile, insurance, and willingness to drive to off-site locations
• Passion for social justice for immigrants

Skills/Abilities We’d Like You to Have:

• Bilingual is a plus, but not required
• Experience working with immigrant communities, including detained immigrants
• Experience working with marginalized populations and survivors of trauma
• Internship Experience with immigration law and case management
• Dedication to serving immigrant communities with a sincere commitment to working on behalf of low-income immigrants

Important Notice:

Incomplete submissions will not be considered. Please, no phone calls. Please, principals only. Please, local candidates only (relocation is not provided).

About Jewish Family Service of San Diego
Jewish Family Service of San Diego is a client-centered, impact-driven organization working to build a stronger, more resilient community.  For over 100 years, Jewish Family Service has been a trusted resource for the entire community, offering an array of services that are always life-changing, and often life-saving.  At Jewish Family Service, we believe our employees are the backbone of our Agency.  We strive to ensure that each employee is treated with dignity and respect.  Our goal is your success.  Come work at JFS and be our partner in Moving Forward Together.  To learn more about JFS, please visit jfssd.org. 

*Jewish Family Service is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran or disability status.