Careers

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Policy Associate / Associate Director of Policy

Summary: The policy associate will work closely with NIJC’s director of policy, NIJC staff, and external partners to identify gaps and issues in the immigration system, promote client case stories, and develop administrative or legislative recommendations to advance reform. The policy associate will also work with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS)/Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) Enforcement Working Group in gathering information for meeting agendas and preparing minutes from the meeting.

Qualifications: The position requires a bachelor’s degree, but a Juries Doctorate or master’s degree in public policy or related field of study are preferred. At least one year of experience in law and policy is required, but additional experience, particularly in the immigration field is preferred. In addition, the candidate must be:

• Excellent at legal research and writing.
• Skilled at complex legal analytical work.
• Self‑motivated and able to manage a variety of tasks.
• Committed to advancing immigrants’ rights. Knowledge of legal issues involving immigrants’ rights, discrimination, violence against women, and/or international human rights is preferred but not required.

To view the full job description and to apply for the policy associate position, please visit this position listing on Heartland Alliance's job board. 

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Paralegal, NIJC's Immigrant Children's Protection Project

Summary: The paralegal provides general paralegal support through intake, research, case review, documentation preparation and other related tasks to support general operations and the work of staff and pro bono attorneys.

Qualifications: 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. 

• Education and/or Experience: Bachelors degree with demonstrated experience working with immigrants, refugees and/or asylum seekers. At least one year of experience working with these populations preferred.
• Language Skills: Fluency in a second language may be required. Ability to communicate articulately with internal and external audiences.
• Other Qualifications: Excellent writing, editing, organizational and computer skills required. Ability to manage multiple tasks efficiently and perform well under strict deadlines.

To view the full job description and to apply for the paralegal position with NIJC's Immigrant Children's Protection Project, please visit this position listing on Heartland Alliance's job board. 

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Project Coordinator, National Litigation Project

Summary: The overall objectives of the position are to: 1) provide administrative support to the litigation team; 2) provide legal support to the litigation team in the form of drafting letters, memos, and other materials; 3) maintain litigation website to publicize current cases; 4) respond to national calls and letters from immigrants in Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody as a result of immigration enforcement; 5) coordinate effective documentation of due process violations for immigrants, including those related to LGBT and HIV-positive refugees and asylum seekers, and those with claims to U.S. citizenship; 6) respond and document the needs of partner organizations, including conducting issue-based training on legal relief available to detainees, detention conditions and Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and ICE policies.

Qualifications: 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. 

• Education and/or Experience: Bachelor’s degree and two years of experience in human rights field, legal and/or communications work required. This position may require experience with vulnerable populations.
• Language Skills: Fluency in English and Spanish is required. Ability to effectively interview clients and engage in fact-gathering for advocacy or litigation in a fast-paced environment.
• Technical Skills: Ability to design and maintain program website with minimal training; Fluency in Microsoft Office especially Word and Excel; Ability to maintain and organize large quantities of information in an electronic database
• Attention to detail and accuracy: Ability to competently and effectively communicate orally and in writing for a variety of audiences; Ability to manage multiple tasks efficiently
• Demonstrated commitment to immigrants’ rights/human rights
• Volunteer Management: Ability to train interns, to assist with projects, supervise work, and assign additional tasks on an as needed basis
• Understanding the Importance of Client Confidentiality: In accordance with organizational policies and ethical standards required of the legal profession and the code of professional responsibility, preserves client confidentiality, accounts for client monies, and avoids conflicts of interest.

To view the full job description and to apply for the project coordinator position, please visit this position listing on Heartland Alliance's job board. 

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Project Coordinator, LGBT Immigrant Rights Initiative

Summary:  The National Immigrant Justice Center's LGBT Immigrant Rights Initiative provides comprehensive representation to lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender immigrants and asylum seekers as well as those living with HIV/AIDS. In addition to providing these services, the LGBT Immigrant Rights Initiative runs an Asylum Documentation Project, which provides information and technical assistance to LGBT/H asylum seekers who are detained by Immigration & Customs Enforcement (ICE) throughout the country. NIJC also maintains a website designed to provide assistance to non-detained LGBT asylum seekers and their lawyers. Through these various initiatives, NIJC provides LGBT immigrant detainees with (1) basic orientation to the various forms of immigration relief, (2) information about the treatment of LGBT people in the individual’s home country, (3) information about appealing a decision, and (4) instructions about how to file a grievance concerning detention conditions.

Qualifications: 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. 

• Education and/or Experience: Bachelor’s degree and two years of experience in human rights field, legal and/or communications work required. This position may require experience with vulnerable populations.
• Language Skills: Fluency in English and Spanish is required. Ability to effectively interview clients and engage in fact-gathering for advocacy or litigation in a fast-paced environment.
• Technical Skills: Ability to design and maintain program website with minimal training; Fluency in Microsoft Office especially Word and Excel; Ability to maintain and organize large quantities of information in an electronic database
• Attention to detail and accuracy: Ability to competently and effectively communicate orally and in writing for a variety of audiences; Ability to manage multiple tasks efficiently
• Demonstrated commitment to immigrants’ rights/human rights
• Volunteer Management: Ability to train interns, to assist with projects, supervise work, and assign additional tasks on an as needed basis
• Understanding the Importance of Client Confidentiality: In accordance with organizational policies and ethical standards required of the legal profession and the code of professional responsibility, preserves client confidentiality, accounts for client monies, and avoids conflicts of interest.

To view the full job description and to apply for the project coordinator position, please visit this position listing on Heartland Alliance's job board. 

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Fellowships

NIJC is accepting letters of interest and concept notes for an Equal Justice Works Fellowship in 2014-2016. This fellowship provides a unique opportunity to impact a rapidly evolving social justice area and gain expertise in immigration law. As an Equal Justice Works Fellow at NIJC, you will engage in direct legal services, education and outreach, and litigation on behalf of immigrants, refugees, and asylum seekers. You will contribute to NIJC’s efforts to ensure access to justice for all.

To apply for the EJW Fellowship, please submit your letter of interest, resume, concept note, writing sample, and references to Sloka Krishnan at skrishnan@heartlandalliance.org. This information must be received no later than June 15, 2013. For more details about this opportunity, please click here. Please contact Sloka with any questions you may have.

NIJC will also accept proposals for Open Society and other fellowship programs. If you would like to partner with NIJC for these or other opportunities, please contact Sloka Krishnan at skrishnan@heartlandalliance.org.

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Internships

NIJC offers internships to law students and undergraduates to work in variety of its different legal services programs. The internships present an excellent opportunity to learn more about U.S. immigration law and policies while making a difference in the lives of low-income and impoverished individuals who are in need of legal representation. NIJC is now accepting applications for fall and year-long internships for the following programs:

• The Jeanne and Joseph Sullivan Project for Protection of Asylum Seekers
• Detained Immigrant Protection Project
• Immigrant Legal Defense
• Immigrant Children’s Protection Project
• Counter-Trafficking Project
• LGBT Immigrants Rights Project
• Federal Immigration Policy Internship
• National Litigation Project 

Click here for more information about the internships we have available and how to apply. 

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