Summary

Washoe Legal Services (WLS) seeks a temporary, full-time Attorney/Legal Advocate to assist in its dynamic Immigration Unit. This position is a temporary position (expected to last until November 30, 2022), which will primarily focus on helping and representing recent Afghan arrivals in applying for affirmative asylum. This position will work in conjunction with WLS’s partner, the Northern Nevada International Center (NNIC), who is the designated refugee resettlement agency in the Reno/Northern Nevada community. As part of WLS’s partnership with NNIC, the Attorney/Legal Advocate may also be responsible for other immigration legal cases as referred to WLS from NNIC.

Responsibilities

The Afghan Asylee Attorney/Advocate will be responsible for:

• Assisting individuals in completing and filing applications for affirmative asylum and ancillary benefits, such as employment authorization and refugee-family petitions in front of USCIS
• Representing individuals in affirmative asylum interviews at the USCIS Asylum Office in San Francisco, CA
• Serving as a liaison between WLS and NNIC, as well as other community partners to help clients obtain and organize essential documents/records necessary for filing immigration applications/petitions
• Occasionally assisting in completing and filing applications for other NNIC immigration law referrals (including, but not limited to, Refugee/Cuban/Haitian Adjustment, SIJS, T-Visas, and UVisas)
• Collecting, updating, and reviewing client and grant-reporting data on a monthly basis
• Making referrals both internally to other units within WLS and other community partners
• Occasional outreach, community education, and other regional events
• Other administrative tasks as assigned/necessary

Qualifications

• Admitted and in good standing with any bar of the 50 states, DC or Puerto Rico, (preferred), or recent law school graduate
• Prior experience in immigration law, with particular emphasis in affirmative asylum
• Have strong communication skills, both written and verbal
• Have excellent interpersonal skills
• Be comfortable working with individuals of different backgrounds, including those from different cultures, socio-economic statuses, seniors, and vulnerable populations
• Have excellent organizational and problem-solving skills
• Have strong computer/database skills and excellent attention to detail
• Be able to take initiative and work independently, as well as part of a team
• Commitment to Social Justice, particularly in the realms of legal aid and immigrants’ rights

While not required, additional language skills, as well as prior experience working with low-income individuals, victims of trauma, crime, or domestic violence, and/or case management software are also desirable.

Salary/Benefits

Position is a temporary, full-time, exempt position, expected to be paid at an annual salary of $60,000 - $65,000 (12 mos.), depending upon experience. WLS offers a competitive benefits package, including 100% employee-sponsored health insurance for employee, generous Paid Time Off, 13 paid holidays per year, and 401(k) with employer match. Upon successful completion of this position, continued employment, while not guaranteed, may be considered as part of the Immigration Unit, or another WLS team, as resources/staffing allow.

Application Deadline and Starting Date

Position is available immediately, and is expected to begin March 1, 2022, or earlier. Priority Deadline for application is January 31, 2022, at 9 AM, PST, however, position will remain posted until filled. Applications and interviews will be reviewed/conducted on a rolling basis.

Location:

Work is expected to be performed on-site at the primary office of WLS’ partner, the Northern Nevada International Center, located at 855 W 7th Street in Reno, NV’s West University neighborhood. Given the unique and temporary nature of this position, necessary back and forth travel between Reno, NV and San Francisco, CA, as well as the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, remote work from the CA Bay Area may be considered under limited, special circumstances.

About Washoe Legal Services:

Washoe Legal Services (WLS) is a private 501(c)(3) non-profit organization in Washoe County, Nevada which was established in 1965 and has been in continuous operation since. WLS provides Northern Nevada’s vulnerable populations access to justice, regardless of their ability to pay, to protect their rights, safety and family stability.

WLS plays a critical role in increasing the safety and stability of domestic violence victims and their children; protecting the rights of abused and neglected children, the indigent, and the elderly; and increasing the safety and stability of immigrants who are elderly or victims of crime and domestic or sexual violence. WLS’s purpose is to achieve justice for those whose voices might otherwise not be heard, to empower individuals to advocate for themselves, and to make positive changes in the communities we serve.

Washoe Legal Services assisted over 8,580 clients in 2020 and represented 1,636 children in the custody of the Washoe County Department of Health and Human Services and the Department of Children and Family Services (rural counties), represented 1,355 protected persons in adult guardianship cases and 285 protected persons in minor guardianship cases, assisted 1,725 clients with housing and/or foreclosure related issues, assisted 175 victims of domestic violence, and provided self-help services to nearly 1,400 individuals.

The Immigration Unit is recognized under the Department of Justice’s Recognition and Accreditation Program with a staff of three: one full time Fully Accredited Representative, one part time Partially Accredited Representative, and a Legal Assistant. The Unit represents individuals in a variety of immigration law matters including: family-based immigration matters, immigration benefits for victims of crime, citizenship, renewing, and maintaining lawful immigration status for documented individuals, other humanitarian benefits, such as DACA & TPS, as well as asylum and refugee matters and removal proceedings in the Immigration Court.

How to Apply:

To apply, please email a cover letter, and resume to lmonge@washoelegalservices.org with the Subject Line: Afghan Asylee Attorney/Advocate. References will be required upon advancement in the potential hiring process.

Diversity Statement:

Washoe Legal Services is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization committed to the empowerment of vulnerable individuals and communities, through the expansion of access to legal justice in Northern Nevada. We do not discriminate in regards to gender, age, race, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, disability or any other protected class as provided for by law or statute. Individuals of diverse backgrounds are highly encouraged to apply.