Supervising Attorney - Bakersfield, CA and Fresno, CA

Job Description

Job Description:\n\n UFW FOUNDATION JOB POST TITLE: Supervising Attorney FLSA STATUS: Exempt (Salary) LOCATION: Bakersfield, CA Fresno, CA HIRING RANGE: $85,000.00 - $105,000.00, depending on experience About UFW Foundation: For nearly 20 years, the UFW Foundation has mobilized farm workers and their organizations across the country to advocate for more equitable policies, such as immigration reform, pesticide protections, heat standards, hazard pay and other worker protections. We engage constituents in systemic change to break the cycle of poverty while also providing critical services. In fact, the UFW Foundation is one of the largest federally accredited immigration legal service providers in the state of California. The organization has staff in California, Arizona, Georgia, Illinois, Michigan, New York, and Washington state. The UFW Foundation’s Immigration Legal Services Program provides high quality comprehensive affirmative and removal defense services, and representation before U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR), and California State Courts. We represent low-income clients, including unaccompanied minors, in an array of affirmative and defensive applications, including but not limited to family petitions, U-visa/VAWA, Waivers, Naturalization and DACA, as well as Asylum/Withholding/CAT, Cancellation of Removal and Special Immigrants Juvenile Status (SIJS). The UFW Foundation is a U.S. DOJ recognized and accredited organization. SUMMARY: The Supervising Attorney position will provide general oversight of their assigned team members (attorneys, service providers, legal assistants, and fellows), with emphasis on monitoring the regional workload and maintaining stakeholder correspondence, providing general feedback to ensure the flow of legal information and workload. The Supervising Attorney position will be located in one of the following locations: Northern Central Valley, Southern Central Valley, and Southern Central Coast. The Supervising Attorney will report to a Directing Attorney. The UFW Foundation seeks an individual with law practice experience or experience working with immigrant communities that can help the organization, in collaboration with the UFW Foundation’s various programs and departments, as well as its partners, to develop a service delivery model that will maximize the limited resources in rural communities and leverage relationships from urban centers. ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: (This is not an exhaustive list) Direct Legal Services Provide high-quality affirmative immigration and removal defense services and representation before USCIS, EOIR, and California state courts.Assess client eligibility for a range of immigration relief, including Naturalization, DACA renewal, Employment Authorization, Family-Based Petitions, Adjustment of Status, Permanent Resident Card renewal, SIJS, VAWA, U/T visas, TPS, Asylum, and Cancellation of Removal.Prepare and file timely and thorough applications, motions, briefs, and supporting documentation.Analyze criminal dispositions and advise clients regarding immigration consequences.Explain processes, options, and timelines to clients in a clear and culturally competent manner.Maintain accurate, detailed, and timely case data in the case management system. Supervision & Quality Assurance Supervise, mentor, and support attorneys, DOJ-accredited representatives, fellows, legal assistants, and interns.Oversee workflows, caseload distribution, and case quality to ensure compliance with immigration law, ethical obligations, and organizational policies.Provide regular feedback, coaching, and training to staff, including support for DOJ accreditation/renewal.Participate in “triage” meetings and other supervisory check-ins to ensure effective case screening and workload management. Community Engagement & Education Represent the UFW Foundation at workshops, group processing events, and community legal education presentations (e.g., Know Your Rights, immigration relief information sessions).Collaborate with community partners, educational institutions, and other stakeholders to expand service delivery and reach.Identify trends in DHS practices and emerging community needs to inform advocacy and program strategies. Program Development & Reporting Support the preparation and submission of grant reports and other required documentation.Collaborate with Directing Attorneys to maximize program impact, efficiency, and case output.Contribute to fundraising efforts, including providing data, client stories, and legal insights. Other ResponsibilitiesTravel regularly to court hearings, workshops, UFW Foundation service centers, and trainings.Perform other related duties as assigned. SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:Balance direct client representation with supervisory duties.Lead, mentor, and support a team of attorneys, DOJ-accredited representatives, legal assistants, fellows, and interns.Provide ongoing training, coaching, and performance feedback to build staff capacity and ensure professional growth.Establish clear expectations, monitor workloads, and hold team members accountable for meeting quality and productivity standards.Foster a supportive, collaborative, and inclusive team culture that reflects the UFW Foundation’s mission and values.Support staff in preparing for and renewing DOJ accreditation or bar membership, as applicable.Coordinate with Directing Attorneys to align team goals with broader program and organizational priorities. MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS: The ideal candidate for this position must have a high level of professionalism and organization. The candidate must demonstrate competency in the following areas:Licensed attorney in good standing.At least 2 years of supervisory experience. Excellent interpersonal skills, including good communication skills, listening skills, and attitude.Experience working with vulnerable populations.Demonstrated cultural competence and cross-cultural communication skills. Ability to work both independently and under supervision.Ability to work flexible hours, including some evenings and weekends.Ability to keep track of projects and deadlines and communicate progress in real-time.Collaboration. Ability to work with teammates in a professional and solutions-oriented manner. Demonstrated ability to work with a diverse group of people in various settings.Dedication to Mission. A genuine interest in immigrant and farm worker rights/workers’ rights (e.g. worker conditions, wage-hour violation). Excellent oral and written communication skills in Spanish and English. Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills. Flexibility, Speed, and Precision. Ability to adjust quickly to constantly changing priorities with speed, precision, and accuracy. Si Se Puede® (It Can Be Done) Attitude. The embodiment of a personal spirit that promotes confidence, courage and risk-taking. This is a hybrid position that offers a balance of in-office and remote work. The incumbent will be expected to work on-site in person at one of our regional offices, two to three times per week. The rest of the week can be spent working remotely, with the flexibility to adjust according to project needs. In addition, the incumbent may be required to attend meetings, trainings, workshops either in their home state or elsewhere throughout the year. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. LANGUAGE SKILLS: Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations. Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals. Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, campus staff and students, government officials and their staff members, and the general public. This position may require bilingual and/or bi-literate ability (English/Spanish).MATHEMATICAL SKILLS: Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as discounts, interest, commissions, proportions and percentages. Ability to apply concepts of basic algebra and geometry.REASONING ABILITY: Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form. PREFERRED REQUIREMENTS AND/OR QUALIFICATIONS:3 to 5 years of immigration relief services. Previous experience working with the Latino community. EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE: Juris Doctor and three years or more of related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience. Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook) experience. CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS: Licensed attorney in good standing.Valid driver’s license, access to an automobile, insurance, and willingness to drive to off-site locations. COMPENSATION: The annual salary pay range for this position is $85,090.00 to $105,000.00, and benefits include:Accruals of 2, 3, and 4 vacation weeks per year depending on tenure16 paid holidays (includes a personal day)1 mental health day per calendar yearPaid sick daysHealth, dental, and vision benefitsLife insuranceFlexible Spending AccountsEmployee Assistance Program for support with personal and work-related challenges403(b) retirement plan with 2% employer match (providing employee meets criteria)401(k) retirement plan with no employer match (providing employee meets criteria) *Employer-sponsored pension plan*Supplemental insurance (within 30 days of hire date)*Professional development opportunities and access to thousands of courses20% discount for immigration services through the UFW FoundationMany discounts, such as entertainment discounts for movie theaters, theme parks, etc. via ADP Lifemart, TicketsatWork, and UnionPlus *Note: Some of the benefits listed above are not available to temporary employees. Eligibility and access to benefits may vary based on employment status and other factors. ADDITIONAL AND/OR SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS AND/OR QUALIFICATIONS COVID-19 Vaccination Requirement – The UFW Foundation is committed to ensuring the health and safety of our community, employees, and program participants. While vaccinations and boosters are not currently mandatory, we strongly recommend their use as a crucial measure in reducing the transmission of COVID-19. It is imperative to emphasize that if a pandemic situation arises that necessitates vaccines and/or boosters, we will reinstate this requirement to protect everyone effectively. Vaccinations have proven to be effective in preventing the spread of the virus and reducing severe illness. By choosing to get vaccinated, individuals contribute to the collective effort in mitigating the impact of the pandemic and creating a safer environment for all. We will continually monitor the evolving situation and follow the guidance of health authorities. PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. WORK ENVIRONMENT: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER: The UFW Foundation is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We believe a strong commitment to equal employment opportunity is more than a legal and moral obligation – it is also a sound business practice to realize the potential of every individual. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive work environment for all! In order to provide equal employment and advancement opportunity to all individuals, employment decisions at the UFW Foundation will be based on merit, qualifications, and abilities. Except where required or permitted by law, employment practices will not be influenced or affected by an applicant’s or employee’s race, color, religion, sex/gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, marital status, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, ancestry, disability, genetic information, age, or any characteristic protected by law. We encourage all qualified applicants to apply for a position fighting for farm worker and immigrant communities! The UFW Foundation believes in second chances. As an organization, we will rely on individualized assessments in the hiring of those with past criminal convictions. The UFW Foundation will make reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with qualified disabilities under the Americans with Disabilities Act unless doing so would result in an undue hardship. Persons of color, gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people, persons with disabilities, persons who have lived in poverty, formerly incarcerated, persons 40 years old or older, and people fluent in more than one language are strongly encouraged to apply for open positions with the UFW Foundation. This policy governs all aspects of employment, including selection, job assignment, compensation, counseling, discipline, termination, access to benefits and training. Our commitment to equal opportunity employment applies to all persons involved in our operations and prohibits unlawful discrimination by any employee, including supervisors and co-workers.