Position Title: Staff Attorney – Removal Defense

Organization: Jewish Family Service of San Diego

Department: Immigration Legal Services

Position Type: Full-Time (37.5+ hours/week), Exempt

Work Setting: Fully Onsite

Reports To: Managing Attorney

Pay Range: $74,000 to $85,000 annually

Total Compensation:

In addition to standard pay, compensation for this position includes:

• Comprehensive, low-cost healthcare coverage for employees
• Generous employer 401(k) contributions
• Employer-covered life insurance

Time Away from Work:

Being able to take time away from work is critical in bringing your best self to work. Time off benefits for this position include:

• Paid vacation time and sick leave
• 15 paid holidays, including Federal and Jewish holidays (as long as the holiday lands on a normal scheduled work day), and floating holidays
• 2 Wellness Days to be taken any time during the year to support employees’ mental wellness

Position Overview:

Jewish Family Service of San Diego (JFS) is a Department of Justice-recognized provider of immigration legal services and a key refugee resettlement agency in San Diego County. As co-lead of the Immigration Legal Services Coalition of San Diego (ILSC), JFS plays a critical role in coordinating rapid-response efforts and delivering legal support for vulnerable noncitizens impacted by immigration enforcement.

Serving low-income and vulnerable immigrants across San Diego and Imperial Counties, JFS offers legal representation and support tailored to each client’s needs. Services include removal defense, humanitarian relief, family-based petitions, naturalization, and administrative remedies. JFS provides representation before USCIS, ICE, CBP, and Immigration Courts, as well as in select cases before the Board of Immigration Appeals, federal courts, and San Diego Superior Court.

JFS also leads the Higher Education Legal Services (HELS) program, supporting immigrant and refugee students, faculty, and staff at two California State Universities and ten regional community colleges. Beyond direct services, JFS engages in advocacy to advance the rights and well-being of immigrants and refugees throughout the region.

Responsibilities:

Under the supervision of the Managing Attorney, Lead Staff Attorney, or experienced Staff Attorney, the Staff Attorney for the Immigrant Legal Rights Program will be responsible for the following:

• Handle complex legal issues affecting low-income immigrant populations in removal proceedings (detained and non-detained).
• Conduct immigration legal screenings and communicate clearly and effectively with prospective clients.
• Maintain regular and responsive communication with clients regarding the status of their pending immigration matters.
• Provide eligibility and risk assessments for individuals and families seeking immigration representation before Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR), and state or federal district courts, as needed.
• Prepare and submit high-quality immigration applications and pleadings before USCIS, EOIR, ICE, Border Patrol (BP), CBP’s Office of Field Operations (OFO), and state and/or federal courts, with a demonstrated record of successful filings.
• Manage and coordinate a full caseload of active immigration removal defense cases efficiently and responsibly.
• Participate in community workshops, legal clinics, information sessions, and outreach activities, as required.
• Coordinate, document, and maintain accurate records of all client communications.
• Stay current on rapidly changing immigration laws, regulations, and policies.
• Ensure compliance with data collection, case tracking, and program reporting requirements.
• Perform additional case management, administrative, or program support duties as assigned.

Skills/Experience/Abilities That Are a Must-Have:

• Law graduate
• Licensed to practice law in California preferred, but we will consider candidates with license to practice law in one of the 50 U.S. states.
• Strong passion for social justice and advocacy on behalf of immigrant communities.
• Demonstrated commitment to providing culturally competent, trauma-informed services to noncitizens and newcomers detained and non-detained in San Diego County, Imperial County, and the broader San Diego border region, including but not limited to Tijuana and Mexicali, Mexico.
• Willingness to complete extensive immigration law–focused training and all required biannual ethics trainings.
• Minimum of one (1) year of immigration legal experience.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, including clear verbal communication and active listening.
• Detail-oriented and self-directed, with strong oral and written communication skills in English.
• Ability to accurately collect, enter, and maintain case and program data.
• Strong relational skills and a consistently professional demeanor.
• Proven abilities in case management, legal research, and legal writing.
• Demonstrated willingness and ability to zealously advocate for and defend the rights of immigrants.
• Ability to take initiative and perform effectively under pressure.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively as part of a team.
• Flexibility to work occasional evenings and weekends, as needed.
• Strong organizational skills, with the ability to prioritize, multitask, and adapt in a fast-paced, fluid environment.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, including Excel, Word, and Outlook.
• Genuine passion for the organization’s mission and work.

Skills/Abilities We’d Like You to Have:

• Ability to travel locally within San Diego and Imperial Counties.
• Multilingual abilities, including English/Arabic, Spanish, Farsi, Haitian Creole, and/or Portuguese.
• Experience working with detained immigrants or other incarcerated populations.
• Experience working with migrants from diverse countries of origin.
• Experience working with marginalized communities and survivors of trauma.
• Demonstrated dedication to serving immigrant communities, with a sincere commitment to advocating for low-income immigrants.

Physical Requirements:

• Evening and weekend work will be required when we conduct workshops.
• Travel may be required for conferences, outreach meetings, or community events.
• While performing the duties of this position, the employee is regularly required to sit, talk, and listen.
• The employee frequently needs to stand, walk, use hands and fingers to operate a keyboard, handle documents, and reach for the telephone or other office equipment.
• The work environment has a moderate noise level, requiring the ability to concentrate and maintain good auditory perception.
• The employee must have the ability to lift, push, or pull up to 25 pounds as needed.

Important Notice:

Please submit your resume and cover letter on your application.

Incomplete submissions will not be considered. Please, no phone calls. Please, principals only. Please, local candidates only (relocation is not provided).

About Jewish Family Service of San Diego
Jewish Family Service of San Diego is a client-centered, impact-driven organization working to build a stronger, more resilient community. For over 100 years, Jewish Family Service has been a trusted resource for the entire community, offering an array of services that are always life-changing, and often life-saving. At Jewish Family Service, we believe our employees are the backbone of our Agency. We strive to ensure that each employee is treated with dignity and respect. Our goal is your success. Come work at JFS and be our partner in Moving Forward Together. To learn more about JFS, please visit jfssd.org.

*Jewish Family Service is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran or disability status.