Program Associate, Center on Immigration & Justice at the Vera Institute of Justice

The Vera Institute of Justice, founded in 1961, is an independent, non-partisan, nonprofit organization that combines expertise in research, technical assistance, and demonstration projects to assist leaders in government and civil society, examine justice policy and practice, and improve the systems people rely on for justice and safety. Vera has offices in New York City, Washington, DC, and New Orleans, and its projects and reform initiatives, typically conducted in partnership with local, state, or national officials, are located across the United States and around the world. Vera is an equal opportunity employer with a commitment to diversity in the workplace.

Vera seeks a Program Associate for its Center on Immigration and Justice’s Legal Orientation Program (LOP). LOP was created to inform detained immigrants about their rights, and the immigration court and detention processes. On behalf of the federal government’s Executive Office for Immigration Review, program staff work with nonprofit legal service agencies to provide detained people at 27 facilities nationwide with basic information about forms of relief from removal, how to represent themselves in immigration court, and how to get legal representation. Research has shown that LOP participants’ cases move through immigration court more quickly, likely resulting in their spending less time in detention than people who do not have access to legal information.

Responsibilities

The Program Associate’s duties include the following:

• Coordinate development of and review legal orientation materials (in English and Spanish) and provide meaningful feedback;
• Assist in the preparation of reports to government partners;
• Devise, manage, and coordinate assistance to program sites in the form of training conferences, on-site training programs, conference calls, phone consultations, and other means as appropriate;
• Conduct visits of program sites (expect to conduct 6 site visits per year) and draft site visit evaluations;
• Represent Vera’s Center on Immigration and Justice in public speaking engagements and at professional meetings;
• Develop and maintain relationships with project partners;
• Brainstorm solutions for challenges experienced by program sites; and
• Assist on other projects as assigned.

Qualifications

Candidates must possess the following:

• A JD degree;
• At least 1 to 2 years of legal, government, or policy work experience;
• A demonstrated knowledge of immigrant, criminal, or other justice areas;
• A desire to effectuate change in partnership with the government;
• Strong writing and research skills;
• Strong communication and facilitation skills;
• Ability to read and communicate effectively in Spanish;
• Ability to manage work on multiple projects effectively and efficiently;
• Ability to work collaboratively on a team, as well as manage projects independently;
• Experience representing detained immigrants is a strong plus;
• Experience with “know your rights” and other community education initiatives is a strong plus; and
• Willingness to travel outside of New York City.

Salary

Low to mid-50s, commensurate with experience. Excellent benefits.

Please submit cover letter and resume.

Online submission is preferred.

http://vera.theresumator.com/apply/h4UAEF/Program-Associate.html?source=IDEA

However, if necessary, materials may be mailed or faxed to
ATTN: Human Resources / CIJ Program Associate recruitment
Vera Institute of Justice
233 Broadway, 12th Flr.
New York, NY 10279
Fax: (212) 941-9407

Please use only one method of submission (online, mail or fax).No phone calls, please. Only applicants selected for interviews will be contacted.

The Vera Institute of Justice values diversity and is an equal opportunity employer.
For more information about Vera and the Center on Immigration and Justice, please visit our website, www.vera.org.