Staff Attorney

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) helps people whose lives and livelihoods are shattered by conflict and disaster to survive, recover, and gain control of their future. Founded in 1933, the IRC is at work today in more than 40 countries and in 26 U.S. cities. The IRC’s Resettlement, Asylum and Integration (RAI) department creates opportunities for refugees and other vulnerable migrants to survive and thrive in the US. RAI serves nearly 50,000 individuals each year in the US through a diverse portfolio of programs aimed at achieving outcomes in five impact areas: Health, Safety, Economic Wellbeing, Education, and Power.

In operation since 1975, the IRC Northern California has successfully resettled more than 65,000 refugees, asylees, and other immigrants from over 50 countries. Since its establishment, IRC NorCal has grown into a trusted community-based service provider, serving an array of low-income immigrant populations with a robust portfolio of services to help clients achieve economic self-sufficiency and integrate into their new communities. After becoming DOJ-recognized/accredited in 1979, IRC NorCal began offering immigration services to refugees, and since that time has expanded over the last 20 years to serve the broader immigrant population in Northern California.

JOB OVERVIEW:

IRC Sacramento seeks a Staff Attorney to join the office at a time of program expansion and innovation. The Staff Attorney will support the IRC Sacramento office’s Survivors of Torture (SOT) program by providing legal consultations and direct legal representation to SOT clients, including affirmative applications before the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services and a limited number of respondents in removal proceedings. IRC Sacramento conducts outreach to larger immigrant groups through Know Your Rights presentations, our Welcome Center, flyers, and other outreach efforts. The goal of these outreach and consultation efforts is to provide underserved individuals with an understanding of different immigration relief available, the importance of citizenship, immigrant rights and immigration laws, and resources available through the IRC and other community partners. The Staff Attorney will engage with these outreach efforts as well.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES:

Direct Legal Representation and Program Management

- Conduct intakes and provide legal consultations to survivors of torture in the Sacramento area - Provide direct legal representation for SOT clients in the Sacramento area, specifically on affirmative applications under the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), U-visas, T-visas, and asylum applications - Provide representation in immigration court to a limited number of SOT clients facing removal in the Sacramento Immigration Court who are seeking asylum, withholding of removal and protections under the Convention Against Torture - Assist with outreach efforts, including Know Your Rights presentations on rights and immigration pathways - Ensure client and program data is collected consistently, managed appropriately, and reported accurately and in accordance with program reporting requirements set by the IRC and the funder - Maintain up-to-date knowledge and expertise of changing asylum and immigration policies through independent research and analysis, regular trainings, and peer-to-peer consultation. - Work in a team and collaborate with other IRC team members to provide legal services to the community - Participate in community-based coalitions related to immigrant rights - Serve as a strong advocate for humanitarian immigrants

Community Partnerships and Workshops

- Create and maintain a viable outreach strategy to cultivate and maintain strong relationships with community-based organization, local immigration attorneys, and nonprofit legal providers - Collaborate with other IRC departments and partners to offer community-based workshops or information sessions when demand exceeds capacity to provide direct legal representation

JOB REQUIREMENTS:

- Law degree (JD or LLM) from an ABA-accredited U.S. institution and admission to any state bar - Ideally at least one year experience providing direct representation in immigration court and/or before USCIS to immigrants seeking humanitarian relief; law school graduates with clinical or internship legal experience may be considered - Excellent legal research, writing, analytical, and organizational skills - Ability to communicate clearly and effectively, both orally and in an adjudicatory setting and in writing - Commitment to anti-racism and ongoing learning - Trauma-informed and sensitive listening and communication skills - Evidence of capacity to be a strong team member in a highly collaborative and fast-paced multidisciplinary environment, and desire to join a team working to protect due process and immigrant rights - Fluency in English required; language skills in Spanish preferred, but not required - Must be able to travel locally within the service area to attend court hearings, USCIS interviews, and attend relevant partner and stakeholder meetings

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 candidates who are selected for interview to furnish proof of vaccination against COVID-19 in order to be considered for this position.

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.

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