Temporary Staff Attorney

This job posting was opened on 3/27/25. Please note that we will be prioritizing candidates who are current IRC (and recently employed by IRC) staff before other applicants. If necessary, we will extend the opportunity to external candidates.

JOB OVERVIEW:

This is a temporary position to cover planned staff maternity and paternity leaves. The role will begin as soon as possible and end in September 2025. IRC seeks a Staff Attorney to join the New York RAI office to represent clients on petitions before US Citizenship & Immigration Services (USCIS) along with pro se asylum applications and changes of address and venue before the Immigration Court. The Staff Attorney will bring experience representing clients in affirmative or defensive asylum applications and on affirmative matters before USCIS. The position will work in collaboration with community partners and IRC's Immigration Technical Unit (TU) at IRC's headquarters, which supports IRC's 24 legal service programs across the US.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES:

Direct Legal Representation and Program Management

• Conduct intakes with IRC clients and provide direct legal representation to individuals before USCIS
• Provide pro se services for asylum seekers, including asylum application assistance, changes of address and venue, applications for employment authorization, etc.
• Coordinate closely within IRC's multidisciplinary teams to identify needs and facilitate referrals to services offered in-house and through partnerships with external providers.
• Ensure client and program data is collected consistently, managed appropriately, and reported accurately in accordance with program reporting requirements set by IRC.
• Position may supervise legal assistants and/or interns.
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge and expertise of changing immigration policies through independent research and analysis, regular trainings, and peer-to-peer consultation.
• Participate in community-based coalitions related to immigrant rights.
• Serve as a strong advocate for humanitarian immigrants.

JOB REQUIREMENTS:

• Law degree (JD or LLM) from an ABA-accredited U.S. institution and member in good standing of any state bar;
• At least one year experience providing direct representation in immigration court and/or before USCIS to asylum applicants and other immigrants seeking humanitarian relief;
• Excellent legal research, writing, analytical, and organizational skills;
• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively, both orally in a courtroom setting and in writing;
• Bilingual in one or more languages of the survivor population preferred (eg, Spanish, French, Arabic);
• Deep commitment to immigrant rights and working with humanitarian immigrants;
• 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;

Working Environment:

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

Compensation: Posted pay ranges apply to US-based candidates. Ranges are based on various factors including the labor market, job type, internal equity, and budget. Exact offers are calibrated by work location, individual candidate experience and skills relative to the defined job requirements.

Equal Opportunity Employer: IRC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. IRC considers all applicants on the basis of merit without regard to race, sex, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, disability or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

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 $143 per month, dental starting at $6.50 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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