JOB OVERVIEW:
This is a temporary position to cover planned staff maternity and paternity leaves. The role is fully remote with an option for a flexible hybrid schedule and will begin as soon as possible and end on October 30, 2025. IRC seeks a Staff Attorney to join the New Jersey RAI office primarily to assess and review pro se asylum applications and changes of address and venue before USCIS and the Immigration Court. The Staff Attorney will bring experience representing clients in affirmative and/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:
Pro Se Legal Support
Conduct legal consultations with IRC clients. 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. 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; Ideally at least one year experience providing direct representation in immigration court and/or before USCIS to asylum applicants and other immigrants seeking humanitarian relief; law school graduates with clinical legal experience may be considered; 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; Must have ability to travel frequently in and around the service area to attend hearings and interviews and engage with clients and community partners.Working Environment***:***
May require occasional weekend and/or evening work.Compensation: (Pay Range: $77,631-$90,771**)** 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.