National Immigrant Justice Center Policy Counsel

Program Description

The National Immigrant Justice Center (NIJC) provides direct legal services to, and advocates for, immigrants, refugees, and asylum seekers through policy reform, impact litigation, and public education. Since its founding more than three decades ago, NIJC has been unique in blending individual client advocacy with broad-based systemic change. Headquartered in Chicago with offices in Washington, DC, Indiana, and San Diego, NIJC's team of 100+ attorneys, paralegals, and professionals, along with 2,000 pro bono attorneys, is at the forefront of immigration reform.

Job Description

• When applying for this position, please include a cover letter and writing sample*
  
  

The National Immigrant Justice Center (NIJC) seeks a motivated and committed Policy Counsel to join its growing Washington D.C. policy-advocacy team. NIJC's Washington D.C. team executes its three primary policy priorities through strategic advocacy and policy work primarily at the federal level. These priorities include defending the right to seek asylum, ending reliance on detention in the U.S. immigration system, and redressing the injustices of deportation.

The Policy Counsel will be responsible for supporting and contributing to NIJC's federal advocacy and policy work across all three priority areas. The attorney will track trends and developments in substantive immigration law and policy and monitor NIJC's direct legal service work to understand the impact of constantly evolving immigration policies and laws on the people directly impacted, and communicate that impact to key policy makers in Washington D.C. Additionally, this attorney will contribute to NIJC's written work product by drafting and editing policy documents, legislative text, analysis of regulations, commentaries, and public-facing explainers. The attorney will represent NIJC and its clients before Congress, with the administration, and in key coalitions while advancing proposals and ideas that seek to make systemic changes that support immigrant communities. The attorney will have the opportunity to help develop creative policy-advocacy strategies grounded in the experiences of the people directly impacted by immigration law and policy and using innovative media and communications strategies.

This position is a remote-based position with opportunities for in-person, co-working if the hired candidate is based in Washington D.C. The attorney will report to NIJC's Policy Director and work closely with other policy team members and NIJC staff across the organization.

Essential Duties And Responsibilities

• Serve as one of NIJC's key representatives in Washington D.C. advocating to advance policies that support immigrants, refugees, and asylum seekers.
• Work with NIJC staff to identify client stories to support policy positions and ongoing policy advocacy initiatives.
• Review and analyze pending legislation and amendments; prepare analysis and suggested modifications; prepare talking points for key policy makers and other advocates.
• Draft and revise petitions for rulemaking, administrative complaints; and provide support, as needed, on NIJC litigation.
• Maintain relationships with congressional staffers and develop new congressional champions.
• Support educational briefings for congressional staff.
• Represent NIJC in formal and informal coalitions of national and local organizations.
• Develop innovative advocacy plans that lean on NIJC's unique expertise as both a legal service provider and impact advocacy organization with access to key policy makers in Washington D.C.
  
  

Qualifications: To perform this job successfully, the ideal candidate must be able to perform each essential duty. 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. The ideal candidate:

• Is a professional who can work independently, responding to tight deadlines and emerging opportunities;
• Is an exceptional writer with cogent and sharp analytical skills;
• Is a strong public speaker who persuasively represents NIJC and its clients and confidently articulates the impact of policies and laws on immigrant communities;
• Prioritizes work, has strong organizational skills, maintains confidentiality, thrives in a fast-paced and entrepreneurial environment, and is open to change.
  
  

Required Experience

• Education and/or Experience: J.D. with six years of related professional experience. Candidates with fewer years of experience are still encouraged to apply.
• Language & Written Skills: Exceptional oral and written communication skills. Demonstrated competency in public speaking and exceptional interpersonal skills across a broad range of audiences including people directly impacted by the U.S. immigration system. Spanish proficiency preferred.
• Other Skills: Experience working on immigrant or refugee issues particularly through policy advocacy and/or direct legal representation a plus.
• Computer Skills: Proficiency in Microsoft Office, Internet Explorer, Outlook/Exchange; Windows and include a willingness to learn new software.
  
  

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.

• Must be able to remain in a stationary position 50% of the time
• Constantly operates a computer and other office productivity machinery, such as a copy machine.
  
  

 

It is the policy of NIJC not to discriminate against any applicant for employment, or any employee because of age, color, sex, disability, national origin, race, religion, or veteran status.

Salary: $75600 - $88900 per year