Project Manager-LItigation Team-NIJC

About NIJC

The National Immigrant Justice Center (NIJC) advances human rights and due process for immigrants, refugees and asylum seekers through direct legal services, impact litigation, advocacy, and public education. Headquartered in Chicago with offices in Washington, DC, Indiana, and San Diego, NIJC's team of over 100 attorneys, paralegals, and professionals, along with 2,500 pro bono attorneys, is at the forefront of immigration reform.

Job Summary:

In recent months, the quickly changing landscape of federal immigration law, including the substantial expansion of immigration arrests and detention, has prompted NIJC to pursue more federal court litigation than ever before. Considering this expansion, NIJC seeks to hire a litigation project manager who, together with the existing litigation project manager and the director of the litigation team, will oversee the day-to-day logistics of litigation related matters. The project manager will be responsible for overseeing and managing plaintiff searches, compliance with various class action settlement agreements, and coordination with new and existing clients as their cases progress. The person will also be responsible for supervising a litigation project paralegal, who will be responsible for managing some of the team's administrative needs.

Please note: While this is not an attorney role, candidates who are fully accredited representatives or who are eligible to become accredited are encouraged to apply.

The project manager will collaborate with legal teams both internal and external to NIJC, community stakeholders, and clients to define project scope, set timelines, and allocate resources. The project manager will work in collaboration with attorneys to oversee the day-to-day operation of substantial, high impact cases as well as cases on behalf of individuals appearing in the federal courts. They use project management methodologies and tools to optimize workflows, track progress, and ensure compliance with legal standards, ultimately driving the successful delivery of legal services and solutions. The project manager must also be able to communicate and work well with detained clients in cases that are proceeding on an expedited timeline. That project manager will eventually be responsible for supervising a paralegal.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Manage the acceptance of clients for impact and federal court cases for representation.
• Organize, lead, and oversee plaintiff searches for class action cases or other large group actions.
• Communicate with clients and immigration counsel about case developments
• Once accredited, provide full legal representation before USCIS and the immigration courts to litigation plaintiffs in their related, immigration court matters.
• Liaise between legal teams, clients, and other stakeholders to ensure clear communication and accurate management of data pertaining to cases.
• With existing Litigation Project Manager and Project Director, work with NIJC's communications team to ensure timely and accurate communication about NIJC's litigation matters.
• Conduct and lead regular meetings with team members assigned to various projects to review project status and address any issues.
• Prepare detailed project status reports and updates for management, clients, funders, and stakeholders.
• Gather and organize critical documents and evidence for legal proceedings.

Supervisory Duties:

• Supervise paralegal(s) on case management and file maintenance procedures.

Competencies:

• Legal Skills: Experience analyzing the impact of laws on vulnerable populations and advocating for improved laws and policies. Strong legal research and writing skills. Ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously, work independently, and collaborate effectively in a fast-paced environment.
• 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.
• Technology Knowledge/Skills: Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications.

Qualifications:

EducationExperience:

• Bachelor's degree in a relevant subject, which may include business management, quality assurance, or organizational development.
• At least 3-5 years of prior experience in immigration work.
• Fluency in Spanish.
• Demonstrates skills in project management and outcomes measurement highly desirable.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Excellent interpersonal and customer service skills.
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Excellent training and development skills
• Excellent time management skills with a proven ability to meet deadlines.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to prioritize tasks and delegate them when appropriate.
• Proficient with Microsoft 365 or related software.

How to Apply

Please Include:

• Your resume
• A compelling cover letter, including the following:
• Why you are interested in this specific role and in working for NIJC
• How your unique skills and experience will enable you to make a significant impact on our team and help us achieve our mission.
• A specific, brief example of a project or accomplishment from your past that best demonstrates your relevant qualifications.

Physical Abilities Statement

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
• The person in this position occasionally needs to move about the inside of the office to access filing cabinets, office machinery, etc.
• Constantly operating 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.