International Institute of the East Bay

A Resource for Immigrants and Refugees Since 1919

Job Announcement (9/05):

IMMIGRATION COUNSELOR (DOMESTIC VIOLENCE)

International Institute of the East Bay, Oakland, California

Position:	Immigration Counselor (specializing in domestic violence)
Agency:	International Institute of the East Bay
Salary/Hours:	$15 per hour, part time
Organization	The International Institute of the East Bay is 501(c)(3) non-profit organization Oakland that has served the immigrant and refugee community since 1919. The Institute has a variety of programs and projects, including services in legal assistance, community education and empowerment, computer and English as a Second Language training, job development assistance, vocational licensing, and policy and media advocacy. The IIEB is located in downtown Oakland, close to public transportation (15 minutes by train to downtown San Francisco), and serves the immigrant communities in the East Bay, as well as many from throughout the San Francisco Bay Area. The Institute is dedicated to serving people from all ethnicities, and currently serves many people in particular from Latino/a, African, and Southeast Asian communities. See www.iieb.org for more information. The Legal Department provides services including Free Clinics, and legal assistance and representation in a range of cases including family petitions, TPS/NACARA, naturalization, and deportation defense. Its program for immigrant survivors of domestic violence include assistance with VAWA Self-Petitions, U-visas, I-751 waivers, and limited gender asylum and domestic violence applications in deportation proceedings. The Legal Department also provides community education and technical assistance and training to nonprofit organizations, grassroots groups, and government agencies. It also conducts policy analysis and advocacy on immigrant rights issues.
Job Description:	IMMIGRATION COUNSELOR The Counselor will be responsible for all aspects of preparing VAWA Self-Petitions to assist immigrant survivors of domestic violence. The position will work under the supervision of the Staff Attorney and Managing Attorney, but will take primary responsibility for her/his own caseload, and will be in charge of intake and assessments. The position will also supervise one or more law clerks, and may also supervise undergraduate students and community volunteers. The position will also have the possibility of expanding to do other casework, including U-visa applications, family petitions, aspects of deportation defense, and many other areas of immigration law practice. The position also has the possibility of expanding into some types of advocacy work.
Qualifications desired	Commitment to and ability to work with low-income immigrants and refugees required. Law degree not required, but at least one year experience in immigration law, and some experience preparing VAWA Self-Petitions, strongly preferred. Fluency in English and Spanish required, other languages preferred. Strong analytical and research skills; ability to work independently, to manage own time and caseload, and work under pressure; excellent organizational, time management, and record keeping skills required. Knowledge of other areas of immigraiton law and policy preferred. Knowledge of other aspects of assistance to survivors of domestic violence preferred. Knowledge of policy issues and experience in advocacy higly valued. Experience in nonprofit sector, flexibility, creativity, ability to learn and to exercise initiative appropriately highly valued.
Job start:	As soon as possible.
How to apply	Please send cover letter, resume, and references to: Naomi Onaga Staff Attorney International Institute of the East Bay 449 15^th Street, Suite 201 Oakland, CA 94612 nonaga@iieb.org No phone calls please.