UC Immigrant Legal Services Staff Attorney (LEGAL SVC ADVISOR 2)

THIS IS A STAFF ATTORNEY POSITION THAT WILL PROVIDE IMMIGRATION LEGAL SERVICES AND EDUCATION AS A MEMBER OF THE UC IMMIGRANT LEGAL SERVICES CENTER, WITH A FOCUS ON STUDENTS, THEIR FAMILY MEMBERS, AND EMPLOYEES AT UC SANTA BARBARA. THE POSITION WILL BE BASED AT UC SANTA BARBARA. THIS IS A HYBRID POSITION WITH A 2 YEAR CONTRACT, WITH THE POSSIBILITY OF RENEWAL.

Under general direction, work with University of California (UC) Immigrant Legal Services Center attorneys and staff to serve the immigration-related needs of UC students and their immediate family members, as well as UC staff, employees and faculty primarily at the University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB). Assist clients in navigating the immigration system and provide immigration legal assistance.

Perform review, research, and analysis regarding immigration issues. Conduct "Know Your Rights" and other informational presentations, as well as campus outreach in collaboration with Undocumented Student Services (USS) and/or other UC campus entities. Represent clients at administrative and/or court proceedings and engage in administrative advocacy. The attorney will be expected to be on campus at UCSB 1-2 days per week, and as needed for presentations and to facilitate training sessions.

Staff attorney will focus on providing immigration legal services and education to the population at the University of California at Santa Barbara, in Santa Barbara, California, but may support other UC Immigrant Legal Services clients and UC Center work, and will be required to attend in-person appointments at UCSB and off-campus, as well as meetings via Zoom.

DURATION OF CONTRACT: 2 Years.

Apply By Date

July 11, 2025 at 11:59pm

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications - For full consideration, applicants are encouraged to upload license and/or certification if required of the position

• Must be a member in good standing of the State Bar of California and maintain that standing through continuing legal education credits required by the State Bar.
• J.D. degree. Member of a State Bar, or Provisionally Licensed to practice law.
• At least one year of experience in immigration law practice, including affirmative family-based immigration relief, U-Visa, VAWA, SIJS, adjustment of status, naturalization, advance parole, and DACA.
• Experience working with low-income communities and immigrants, preferably immigrant youth/young adults.
• Experience using writing, editing, and proofreading skills to write complex documents, and draft and create legal documents clearly, logically, and precisely with close attention to detail.
• Experience working in a multicultural environment and skills to communicate, interact, and work with diverse constituencies, particularly in student services organizations.
• Knowledge of legal and non-legal electronic databases to sufficiently support preparation of complex documents.
• Interpersonal and communications skills to state ideas clearly and concisely and to work closely with UC colleagues, college students and their families, staff at USCIS and courts, etc.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience supervising legal interns and/or externs, working with student and immigrant community organizations and providing trauma-informed client services.
• Experience providing informational sessions and workshops around adjustment of status, "Know Your Rights," traveling domestically, constitutional rights, and other immigration issues/updates. Skills to solicit pertinent information, research multiple sources, and distill large amounts of information.
• Proficiency in spoken and written Spanish.
• Familiarity with UC policies and procedures, removal defense experience, including in the intersection of criminal and immigration law.

Key Responsibilities

• 85% - Research, Analysis and Legal Representation
• 15% - Outreach and Liase On Campus

Department Overview

The Staff Attorney at UC Santa Barbara, as part of the University of California Immigrant Legal Services Center, will work directly to serve the immigration needs of UC students and their immediate family members, as well as some UC staff, with a focus on UC Santa Barbara. This position may involve some travel at the beginning of the term between UC Santa Barbara and UC Davis, in addition to quarterly meetings. Additionally, the position may require supporting non-UC Santa Barbara clients and travel to other regional UC campuses for quarterly meetings.

The Staff Attorney should have experience representing clients before the Department of Homeland Security agencies and analyzing cases to determine eligibility for benefits, including assessing grounds of inadmissibility and deportability, affirmative family-based immigration relief, SIJS, U-Visa, VAWA, adjustment of status, DACA, naturalization, Advance Parole, and Removal Defense.

Staff attorney is expected to maintain a full caseload, organized case notes, track work and deliverables diligently, move cases forward in a timely and efficient manner, meet deadlines, and follow UC Immigrant Legal Services Center and University policies and procedures. The UC Center cannot guarantee the volume or makeup of cases, rather the position will meet the needs of the campus(es).

POSITION INFORMATION

• Salary or Pay Range: $62,000/yr. - $109,000/yr. (Dept. budgeted range: $62,000/yr. - $92,800/yr. Commensurate with experience)
• Salary Frequency: Monthly
• Salary Grade: Grade 20
• UC Job Title: LEGAL SVC ADVISOR 2
• UC Job Code: 007206
• Number of Positions: 1
• Appointment Type: Staff: Contract - 2 year contract with possibility of extension or conversion to career
• Percentage of Time: 100%
• Shift (Work Schedule): Monday - Friday, 8am - 5pm
• Location: Santa Barbara, CA
• Union Representation: 99 - Non-Represented (PPSM)
• Benefits Eligible: Yes
• This position is hybrid (mix of on-site and remote work)

Benefits

Outstanding benefits and perks are among the many rewards of working for the University of California. UC Davis offers a full range of benefits, resources and programs to help you bring your best self to work, as well as to help you and your family achieve your health, wellness, financial and career goals. Learn more about the benefits below and eligibility rules by visiting either our handy Benefits Summary for UC Davis Health Employees or Benefits Summary for UC Davis Employees and our Benefits Page.

If you are represented by a union, benefits are negotiated between the University of California (UC) and your union and finalized in a contract. Read your bargaining unit's employment contract, stay abreast of current negotiations and learn about collective bargaining at UC: https://ucnet.universityofcalifornia.edu/labor/bargaining-units/index.html

* High quality and low-cost medical plans to choose from to fit your family's needs
* UC pays for Dental and Vision insurance premiums for you and your family
* Extensive leave benefits including Pregnancy and Parental Leave, Family & Medical Leave
* Paid Holidays annually as stipulated in the UC Davis Health Policies or Collective Bargaining Agreement
* Paid Time Off/Vacation/Sick Time as stipulated in the UC Davis Health Policies or Collective Bargaining Agreement
* Continuing Education (CE) allowance and Education Reimbursement Program as stipulated in the UC Davis Health Policies or Collective Bargaining Agreement
* Access to free professional development courses and learning opportunities for personal and professional growth
* WorkLife and Wellness programs and resources
* On-site Employee Assistance Program including access to free mental health services
* Supplemental insurance offered including additional life, short/long term disability, pet insurance and legal coverage
* Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSFL) Qualified Employer & Student Loan Repayment Assistance Program for qualified roles
* Retirement benefit options for eligible roles including Pension and other Retirement Saving Plans. More information on our retirement benefits can be found here

Physical Demands

• Standing - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
• Walking - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
• Sitting - Frequent 3 to 6 Hours
• Lifting/Carrying 0-25 Lbs - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
• Pushing/Pulling 0-25 Lbs - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
• Bending/Stooping - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
• Squatting/Kneeling - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
• Twisting - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
• Reaching overhead - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
• Keyboard use/repetitive motion - Frequent 3 to 6 Hours

Mental Demands

• Sustained attention and concentration - Frequent 3 to 6 Hours
• Complex problem solving/reasoning - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
• Ability to organize & prioritize - Frequent 3 to 6 Hours
• Communication skills - Frequent 3 to 6 Hours
• Numerical skills - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
• Constant Interaction - Frequent 3 to 6 Hours
• Customer/Patient Contact - Frequent 3 to 6 Hours
• Multiple Concurrent Tasks - Frequent 3 to 6 Hours

Work Environment

• UC Davis is a smoke and tobacco free campus effective January 1, 2014. Smoking, the use of smokeless tobacco products, and the use of unregulated nicotine products (e-cigarettes) will be strictly prohibited on any UC Davis owned or leased property, indoors and outdoors, including parking lots and residential space.
• The Staff Attorney will have office space at the UCSB campus in Santa Barbara, CA.
• Work a flexible, full-time schedule including some early mornings, evenings, and weekends.

Special Requirements - Please contact your recruiter with questions regarding which activities apply by position

• This is a critical position, as defined by UC Policy and local procedures, and as such, employment is contingent upon clearing a criminal background check(s) and may include drug screening, medical evaluation clearance and functional capacity assessment

Misconduct Disclosure Requirement: As a condition of employment, the final candidate who accepts a conditional offer of employment will be required to disclose if they have been subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct; received notice of any allegations or are currently the subject of any administrative or disciplinary proceedings involving misconduct; have left a position after receiving notice of allegations or while under investigation in an administrative or disciplinary proceeding involving misconduct; or have filed an appeal of a finding of misconduct with a previous employer.

A Culture of Opportunity and Belonging

At UC Davis, we're committed to solving life's most urgent challenges and building a healthier, more resilient world. We believe in growing through every challenge, continually striving to improve, and welcoming new perspectives that strengthen our community. We recognize that a vibrant and innovative organization values both individual strengths and shared purpose. The best ideas often emerge when people with different experiences come together.

As you consider joining UC Davis, we invite you to explore our Principles of Community, our Clinical Strategic Plan and strategic vision for research and education. We believe you belong here. The University of California, Davis is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age or protected veteran status.

To view the University of California's Anti-Discrimination Policy, please visit: https://policy.ucop.edu/doc/1001004/Anti-Discrimination

Because we want you to feel seen and valued, our recruitment process at UC Davis supports openness and authenticity. Research shows that some individuals hesitate to apply unless they meet every qualification. You may be an excellent fit for this role-or the next one. We encourage you to apply even if your experience doesn't match every listed requirement. #YouBelongHere

To learn more about our background check program, please visit: https://hr.ucdavis.edu/departments/recruitment/ucd/selection/background-checks

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