Volunteer & Pro Bono Coordinator
Role: The Volunteer & Pro Bono Coordinator is an integral role at CARECEN, and part of a fast-paced, team-oriented Legal Services department that is a vital part of CARECEN’s mission. The position is the first contact for many individuals new to CARECEN and will ensure a strong first impression, as well as lasting positive relationships with ongoing volunteers. The Coordinator reports directly to the Director of Legal Services to increase the capacity for immigration legal service delivery.
The Volunteer & Pro Bono Coordinator motivates and leads an engaged advocacy community, including members of the private bar, law students, interns and other volunteers, in the provision of immigration legal services to the most vulnerable residents of our community. Through cultivating and coordinating outreach efforts to the private bar, legal community, and others, the Coordinator will develop relationships that increase CARECEN’s ability to serve our clients and community and fulfill our mission.
The Coordinator will be responsible for outreach, onboarding, and communicating with individual volunteers in a timely manner, coordinating volunteer groups and community partnerships as necessary, and working with program staff to ensure volunteer and program needs are being met and issues are addressed. The Coordinator will also foster relationships and communicate with volunteers to grow overall support for the organization.

Primary duties:
· Onboard, orient, and train volunteers, maintain complete and accurate records of volunteer services, and provide hours verification as needed;
· Work closely with program staff to facilitate and foster volunteer involvement across the organization, including the implementation of volunteer appreciation activities to cultivate relationships;
· Design training and volunteer-related programs for volunteers and staff, including working closely with program staff to create and implement substantive trainings;
· Maintain updated volunteer schedules and offerings, prepare and send quarterly volunteer newsletter, routinely seek feedback on volunteers from program staff, and follow up with volunteers as needed as issues arise;
· Act as the administrative liaison and supervisor for volunteers, including helping to tactfully address issues with volunteer performance or placement in coordination with the Director of Legal Services and Director of Operations;
· Timely screen and refer cases to the private bar and provide support and oversight to ensure timely immigration legal services are provided to low-income eligible clients;
· Ensure adherence to program and case handling standards, funder requirements and the highest professional standards; establish and implement volunteer program policies in conjunction with organizational leadership;
· Create and maintain data systems, monitor program quality, efficiently complete program reporting requirements, and quickly respond to requests for information;
· Work with the Director of Legal Services and Citizenship Manager to manage partnerships with local institutions including colleges and universities, businesses, corporate service groups, etc.;
· Attend staff meetings and other meetings (including community meetings) when necessary;
· Respond to queries from prospective and current volunteers;
· Assist in development of promotional materials organization-wide;
· Perform other administrative tasks as requested.

Qualifications:
· At least 1 to 3 years of direct experience in volunteer coordination and human/social services, preferably working with issues related to immigration legal services
-Spanish Fluency is greatly preferred
· Experience and/or commitment working with vulnerable or marginalized populations who may have been victims of serious crimes or who have experienced poverty, trauma or discrimination
· Experience networking with a variety of groups, programs, and people
· Must engage with staff and external parties in a professional, courteous, and timely manner
· Excellent communication and organizational skills, attention to detail
· Computer proficiency, including experience with databases and proficiency with Microsoft Suite
· Commitment to race equity, anti-racism and economic justice in the workplace and in providing services
· Ability to handle confidential information with sensitivity and discretion
· Ability to complete assignments efficiently, independently set priorities, meet deadlines, and work on several projects at once
· Ability and willingness to travel to meetings and conferences as needed using public transportation or other means (reimbursable)

Salary range is $50,000 – $55,000 annually, based on experience. CARECEN offers a generous benefits package including comprehensive health insurance, retirement contribution, paid time off, and ongoing professional development opportunities.

Application Process:

Applicants with professional, volunteer, and/or personal ties to the low-income immigrant communities in the metropolitan Washington, DC area are encouraged to apply. Those interested should send a resume, cover letter, and writing sample to Genevieve Augustin, via e-mail at legal@carecendc.org.

Position Overview: CARECEN is seeking a dynamic Law Clerk, a law graduate pending bar examination and licensing, to be a member of the Legal Immigration Program. The Law Clerk reports directly to the Director of Legal Services, and is responsible for legal service delivery of individual cases and other legal related duties.  The Law Clerk contributes to overall efforts for advancing the mission of the organization, works collaboratively with other program staff, and supports initiatives that meet the goals and objectives set by the Legal Program. The Law Clerk is expected to successfully sit for and pass the bar examination at the first available opportunity. Retention of position is contingent upon successful completion of the bar examination and licensing.

• Provides client intake through consultations and Naturalization screenings and gathers documents necessary to prepare a case.
• Provides counsel and advice to program’s client base on immigration law.
• Provides direct representation in affirmative applications for immigration relief, including Adjustment of Status, Temporary Protected Status, NACARA, U visas, Asylum, DACA, Naturalization, Consular Processing, and other Humanitarian Relief.
• Provides direct representation and other forms of legal assistance to individuals in a wide range of immigration matters.
• Performs administrative and substantive tasks related to grant reporting and other requirements.
• Observes and monitors student interns in the performance of their duties and skills.
• Participates in coalition meetings to remain current on immigration –related issues, policy directives, and regulations.
• Provides communication with regional, local, and national advocacy groups in order to maximize CARECEN’s effectiveness in the community with a focus on Coalition Building.
• Assists to develop and participate in legal education programs by exploring and assessing current, new and expanded subject matter in immigration law.
• Provides in-service and continuing legal education to staff and educates the community at public speaking engagements on and off-site.
• Participates in outreach activities within broader organizational events.
• Assist with drafting and editing reports, grant proposals, and other documents, and general fundraising efforts.

Candidate Qualifications:

• Written and verbal fluency in Spanish and English required
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Experience in community outreach (preferred)
• Excellent organizational and team-building skills
• Demonstrated commitment to social justice and ability to sensitively relate to and work with low-income immigrant clients, grassroots groups and community-based organizations
• Must have strong interest in trial advocacy and complex legal issues
• Must be passionate and creative in resolving client legal issues, through collaboration with organizations, social workers, foreign consulates, and other entities
• Ability to work under pressure and to handle multiple and changing priorities and tasks
• Must be able to work some evenings and weekends
• Must obtain admission to practice law in any state Bar or the Washington, D.C. Bar.

Salary: $65,000-$75,000 depending on experience.

Application Process:

Applicants with professional, volunteer, and/or personal ties to the low-income immigrant communities in the metropolitan Washington, DC area are encouraged to apply. Those interested should send a resume, cover letter, and writing sample to Genevieve Augustin, via e-mail at legal@carecendc.org.

Position Overview: CARECEN is looking for a dynamic attorney experienced in the area of immigration law and community advocacy to work under the supervision of the Legal Services Director to provide direct immigration-related Legal Services and community outreach by:

• Providing direct legal assistance to clients primarily in matters of Immigration Law. These legal services include direct legal interviews of clients, conducting intake on a weekly basis, and maintaining own caseload.
• Recruiting and supervising law students and volunteers at Citizenship and Deferred Action workshops.
• Offering educational workshops in relevant areas of immigration law and other issues of interest to our community and engaging in public speaking opportunities held in collaboration with churches, educational institutions, partner organizations and neighborhood associations for the community.
• Participating in coalition and stakeholder meetings related to immigration issues, policy directives, and regulations.
• Assisting in development of CARECEN’s pro bono legal program, including working with established contacts and recruitment of pro bono attorneys.

Candidate Qualifications:

• 1-3+ years of experience in immigration law and immigrant rights
• Spanish Fluency
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Experience in community outreach (preferred)
• Excellent organizational and team-building skills
• Demonstrated commitment to social justice and ability to sensitively relate to and work with low-income immigrant clients, grassroots groups and community-based organizations
• Must have strong interest in trial advocacy and complex legal issues
• Must be passionate and creative in resolving client legal issues, through collaboration with organizations, social workers, foreign consulates, and other entities
• Ability to work under pressure and to handle multiple and changing priorities and tasks
• Must be able to work some evenings and weekends
• Admitted to practice law in any state Bar or the Washington, D.C. Bar.

Compensation

Salary is commensurate with experience and qualifications, between $75-$85k.  Competitive benefits package includes paid medical insurance and generous vacation, holidays and personal/sick-leave.

Application Process:

Applicants with professional, volunteer, and/or personal ties to the low-income immigrant communities in the metropolitan Washington, DC area are encouraged to apply. Those interested should send a resume, cover letter, and writing sample to Genevieve Augustin, Central American Resource Center via e-mail at legal@carecendc.org.

CARECEN seeks an intern to assist with communications. This internship is a wonderful opportunity to learn while helping CARECEN create and maintain a more professional look for our website, publications and outreach materials, better document activities and media coverage and improve our on-line donation capabilities. To that end the intern should have some experience in evaluating the current status of web usage and production, making critical analysis and suggestions, and finding ways to develop and improve the website and outreach materials.

Duties

• Assist staff with media outreach for specific events.
• Keep track and document radio, TV and print media coverage of CARECEN activities, events or accomplishments and update the media list as needed.
• Work with staff to complete monthly e-newsletter.
• Design and distribute email blasts with action alerts to our community
• Update website regularly.
• Update CARECEN’s Facebook and other social media pages as needed with current issues and relevant news.
• Participate in meetings with the service and advocacy teams as needed.
• Work with staff to help consolidate information for CARECEN’s annual report or other publications such as brochures, fact sheets, etc.
• Help design flyers for CARECEN’s programs and events.
• Contribute by developing new and innovative ideas for communications.

Requirements

• Strong writing skills.
• Consistency, attention to detail.
• Good interpersonal and communications skills.
• Ability to carry out research independently.
• Capacity to organize and summarize information.
• Ability to meet deadlines.
• Desktop publishing, HTML, and related computer skills.
• Graphic design experience is a plus.

Intern will work 15 hours a week, with a schedule determined in consultation with CARECEN.

Desirable: Spanish preferred but not required.

To apply, please reach out to admin@carecendc.org . 

Please indicate you are interested in the Communications internship, share your resume, and explain your interest in working with us in this role.