Open Positions:
Immigration Attorney
Columbia County Sanctuary Movement (CCSM) organizes with immigrants and allies to collectively support, empower, and defend our communities. We are a multilingual nonprofit organization dedicated to providing holistic services and education, and engaging members in campaigns for systemic change. This position is based in Hudson, New York, with the ability to work a hybrid remote/in-office schedule and will report to Co-Executive Directors Diana Cruz and Bryan MacCormack.
The Immigration Staff Attorney will provide legal representation to recent arrivals and long-term residents on both affirmative applications and in removal proceedings. The attorney can expect to appear before the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, New York City Immigration Court, and Buffalo Immigration Court. The Immigration Staff Attorney will have the opportunity to work with CCSM to use creative legal remedies and gutsy advocacy strategies to challenge the unjust deportation machine and inhumane immigration legal system.
70% Legal Service Provision
- Conduct intakes with potential clients, conflict checks, and screenings for various forms of immigration relief
- Facilitate legal consultations and provide case-specific advice to clients
- Represent members and identify forms of relief in removal cases (such as defensive Asylum claim or prosecutorial discretion)
- Prepare affirmative cases (such as U-Visas/T-Visas, TPS, SIJS, Asylum, Naturalization, and family petitions) before USCIS.
- Supervise and provide technical support to DOJ-accredited representatives providing legal services to clients applying for affirmative immigration benefits before USCIS
- Travel to attend master, individual hearings, and ICE check-ins when necessary
- Maintain accurate, complete, and confidential case files
- Mentor, support, and train CCSM staff on complex immigration matters and the provision of trauma-informed services
- Work closely with Co-Executive Director and Community Navigator to provide holistic services and referrals to clients
- Strengthen CCSM’s existing Rapid Response work and hotline by providing legal expertise and, at times, legal representation to detained members
- Provide the support and program development needed to host a Justice Corps Fellowship in the near future
20% Administration
- Administer legal service systems and track program metrics
- Work with grant manager on accurate legal service grant applications
- Contribute to managing legal service program budget
- Supervise DOJ accredited representatives and/or paralegals
- Support strengthening and administering legal service policies
10 % Outreach, Education and External Relations
- Inform and provide orientation about defenses against removal proceedings and the court process to community members
- Facilitate remote court appearances from CCSM’s office rather than traveling to NYC or Buffalo
- Identify and collaborate with local or state partner organizations on appellate and impact-oriented litigation efforts related to detention conditions, labor rights, and other priorities.
- Establish and maintain relationships with community partners, immigration service providers, pro bono attorneys, private attorneys, and our legal service funders.
Desired Qualifications:
- Juris Doctor active NYS bar admission required (recent graduate with upcoming bar exam acceptable)
- Highly Preferred: Ability to communicate effectively with monolingual Spanish-speakers (i.e., advanced Spanish skills)
- Excellent research, writing, analytical, and communication skills
- Minimum of 2 years of relevant experience in immigration law or direct legal services (can include law school immigration clinic programs) and experience with both affirmative applications and removal defense
- Knowledge and adherence to community and movement lawyering principles
- Commitment to CCSM’s mission, immigrant communities, and principles of collective liberation
- Valid driver’s license, access to a car, and ability to travel
- Relationships with immigrant communities
- Directly impacted by or experience with the immigration system preferred
This is a full-time position (approximately 40 hours a week) with a starting salary of $ 80,121.60.
We are committed to compensating our team fairly and reducing the inequity that can come from salary negotiations. The posted salary and benefits are the best we can offer at this time, and we will continue to build a benefits package that supports all staff.
Benefits include:
- Unlimited paid time off with prior approval
- 90% Health and 100% dental, vision, and long-term disability insurance
- 401(k) with employer contribution
- Equity-based compensation adjustments
- Paid Holidays and end-of-year office closure
- 16 weeks of fully paid parental leave
- Work computer, cell phone, and mileage reimbursement
- Language learning stipend and professional development funds
- Interpretation and safety trainings
- Digital security benefits package (professional and personal)
CCSM is an equal opportunity employer and strongly encourages people of color, women, working-class people, LGBTQIA+ people, immigrants, formerly incarcerated people, and people with disabilities to apply. Statistics show that people with marginalized identities often do not apply for positions when they do not meet all qualifications. We encourage you to push past imposter syndrome and apply anyway.
Apply on BambooHR by clicking here. If you have access needs, email info@sanctuarycolumbiacounty.org with details.
Your cover letter should answer the following questions:
- How are you impacted by the immigration system?
- Why are you interested in this role?
- What experiences have you had that make you a strong candidate? (Your response does NOT need to include formal work experience)
We will not check references until after the interview.
Community Navigator (Part-Time)
Programs & Services - Hudson, New York (Hybrid)
CCSM organizes with (im)migrants and allies to collectively support, empower and defend our communities. The Community Navigator will work closely with Co-Executive Director focused on Programs and Services, staff, and the Coordinating Committee to help community members locate, connect, engage, and stay involved with the services they need to achieve their goals. Navigators will be mobile and serve as the bridge to guide individuals across different systems, city agencies, and organizations.
CCSM is building a representative staff that contributes to leadership development within our community. We will provide training and mentorship to applicants who we believe would be a strong addition to our team but do not have all of the qualifications below. We collectively develop work portfolios that match individual skill sets and organizational aspirations.
Service Provision & Coordination
- Conduct intakes and provide ongoing follow up and case support to community members
- Connect immigrants to legal service providers, social service organizations, and government representatives
- Distribute financial mutual aid payments
- Maintain comprehensive up-to-date notes and provide timely notification to community members of all activities regarding their case
- Accompany members to appointments (e.g., social service, Department of Motor Vehicles appointments and local courts) and provide transportation when needed
- Identify, compile and maintain lists of culturally and linguistically appropriate community services, programs and resources for use by community members
- Translate and interpret for members participating in CCSM programming
- Help community members use technology to access services, including navigating online portals and applications, using video conferencing platforms for appointments, and locating documents or forms on agency websites.
- Work with Programs and Services Department to identify service gaps and develop solutions to fill them
- Advocate for institutional accountability to language justice policies
- Working alongside other staff members, volunteers and/or partner organizations to coordinate accompaniment (e.g., social services, immigration courts, and local courts)
- Attend weekly staff meetings and monthly Coordinating Committee meetings
- Ready to provide members with resources via virtual or in-person presentations, or through community tabling events
Qualifications
- Commitment to CCSM’s mission, immigrant communities, and principles of collective liberation
- Bilingualism (English / Spanish) required
- Previous social service or legal experience is highly desirable.
- Willingness to work in both a remote and in-person setting
- Willingness to work flexible hours and travel for trainings, conferences, and accompaniment occasionally with personal vehicle
- Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail
- Good written and verbal communication skills
- Valid driver’s license, access to a car, and ability to travel
- Relationships with immigrant communities / Resident of Columbia or Greene County preferred
- Comfortable managing multiple projects independently and with a team
- Excellent project and time management skills
- Take feedback well and have a learning mindset
- Demonstrates cultural humility and ability to interact with others in a non-judgmental, empathetic, and professional manner.
- Directly impacted by or experience with immigration system preferred
Statistics show that people with marginalized identities often do not apply for positions when they do not meet all qualifications. We encourage you to push past the imposter syndrome and apply anyway- we promise you others are doing the same.
Terms of Employment
This is a part-time, hybrid position (approximately 20 hours per week) based primarily at our office in Hudson, NY. The starting hourly wage for this position is $28.74. This position is contingent on grant funding.
We are committed to compensating our team fairly and reducing the inequity that can come from salary negotiations. The posted salary and benefits are the best we can offer at this time, and we will continue to build a benefits package that supports all staff.
Benefits include:
- Unlimited paid time off with prior approval
- 401(k) with employer contribution
- Equity-based compensation adjustments
- Paid Holidays and end of year office closure
- 16 weeks of fully paid parental leave
- Work computer, cell phone, and mileage reimbursement
- Language learning stipend and professional development funds
- Interpretation and safety trainings
- Digital security benefits package (professional and personal)
CCSM is an equal opportunity employer and strongly encourages people of color, women, working-class people, LGBTQIA+ people, immigrants, formerly incarcerated people, and people with disabilities to apply.
How to Apply
Apply on BambooHR by clicking this link. If you have access needs, email info@sanctuarycolumbiacounty.org with details.
Your cover letter should answer the following questions:
- How are you impacted by the immigration system?
- Why are you interested in this role?
- What experiences have you had that make you a strong candidate? (Your response does NOT need to include formal work experience)
We will not check references until after the interview.