Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Baton Rouge is seeking a full time Immigration Staff Attorney to serve the needs of low-income immigrants by providing direct legal representation and assistance with immigration benefit applications. The Immigration Staff Attorney also represents immigrants and their families in removal proceedings across Louisiana. Additionally, the Staff Attorney offers non-representative legal orientation services to immigration detainees through the Legal Orientation Program (LOP) at detention centers in Central and North Louisiana. This position requires maintaining external relationships and representing the agency to the public, as such it requires a polished business-like demeanor and professional appearance, which excludes unnatural hair color, conspicuous body art and facial piercings.
Minimum Qualifications:
- Education: J.D. from an accredited ABA institute
- Certification/Licensure: Admitted to practice law in Louisiana and must be in “good standing”.
- Fluency in English and Spanish is required.
- Proficiency using Microsoft Office platform programs and ability to learn case management database systems
- Completion of background checks such as driving record, criminal record, and sex offense registry, state and local police records, or national sources such as FBI and E-Verify as required by funding agencies or determined necessary by Catholic Charities and results must be satisfactory to CCDBR, its representatives, employees, or agents as an essential requirement of employment.
- Valid Driver’s license and current proof of insurance required
Other Qualifications:
- Knowledge and understanding of the U.S. immigration legal system, with an ability to apply this knowledge to real life case circumstances, preferred.
- Ability to establish and maintain a positive and professional relationship with co-workers, participants, and visitors; cultural sensitivity and the ability to relate well and effectively in a diverse workplace with a diverse client population.
- Attention to detail and ability to balance multiple simultaneous responsibilities in a fast-paced environment
- Knowledge of community resources and ability to connect families to services
- Ability to meet strict deadlines
- Ability to think strategically & creatively problem solve
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills
Physical Demands and Work Environment:
- Frequent sitting, standing, walking, speaking, reading, writing, typing, and seeing up to 8 hours per day.
- This position at a minimum requires office presence during normal business hours, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.
- Driving is expected 40% of the time.
- Occasionally carrying / lifting to 40 lbs., reaching above shoulder level, bending, and gripping/grasping.
- Travel by automobile to detention centers (Central and North Louisiana) is expected for up to three (3) days consecutively.
- Temperature controlled indoor working environment. Fluorescent lighting, occasional isolated conditions.
- When the agency responds to disasters, the employee may be requested to perform duties outside of the primary job responsibilities both in the office and at off-site locations affected by the disaster.
Job Type: Full Time, Exempt
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Catholic Charities is a mission-based organization and Equal Opportunity Employer. We consider it a privilege to serve people of all faiths and socio-economic backgrounds. Our leadership is mission-driven, energetic, disciplined, and self-motivated. We value diversity, service, compassion, and accountability; we hold ourselves responsible for delivering outcomes that change people’s lives and our community.
