SUMMARY:

NWIRP seeks full time English-Spanish bilingual attorneys to provide direct representation and community outreach and education to immigrant community members in Washington State. The applicants must be fluent in English and Spanish, and must be able to start their position as soon as possible.

Under NWIRP’s current COVID policies, new staff members must provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination (unless eligible for an exemption) and must wear a face mask while in all common areas at the job location. At the time of this posting, NWIRP staff is operating in a hybrid model, and some in-office work will be expected of this position (at least two days per week). The position may also be eligible for the choice of a full-time in-person work model. A minimum two-year commitment to this position is preferred.

Staff Attorney (General)
NWIRP is looking for English-Spanish bilingual staff attorneys to be placed in NWIRP’s Granger and

Wenatchee offices. Additional languages spoken are a plus.

As a staff attorney, you will provide direct representation, individual consultations, and community outreach and education to immigrant community members seeking immigration protections before U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and the immigration courts. The staff attorney may also be assigned work relating to other immigration matters, including cases of people in immigration detention.

This position is expected to travel to immigration courts in Seattle or Tacoma and USCIS offices in Seattle, Spokane or Yakima in Washington State (and occasionally in Portland, Oregon). A valid driver’s license will be required in order to meet these expectations. The position may involve evening and weekend work hours.

BENEFITS AND COMPENSATION:

As of 2023, the beginning salary is $75,490 for an attorney with no experience and not yet admitted to practice. The salary step will increase to $78,040 upon bar admission and is higher for attorneys with specific types of experience. For example, for someone with 10 years of qualifying experience, the annual salary would be $98,302.05; 20 years would be $113,948.39. (Salary may increase in 2024 per NWIRP’s CBA.)

NWIRP is proud to be a unionized employer and this full time position is covered by NWIRP’s Collective Bargaining Agreement. NWIRP offers a generous benefits package, including:

● Fully paid health, vision & dental plans for employee level coverage with employer-funded HRA and HSA options

● FSA and Dependent Care accounts
● Employer contribution of 3% of salary to 403(b) retirement plan
● 12 days of health leave per year
● Generous paid vacation (16 days during your first year)
● 12 weeks of paid parental leave after 6 months of employment, plus the ability to extend with state paid leave
● 14 paid Holidays with the ability to float 5 holidays
● Subsidized transit pass if based out of Seattle
● Employer-paid disability/life/AD&D coverage; Long-term care insurance
● 4 weeks of paid sabbatical after every five years of employment at NWIRP
● Eligibility to earn compensatory time
● Relocation bonus and reimbursement for new employees

COMMITMENT TO INCLUSIVITY, EQUITY AND REPRESENTATION:

Northwest Immigrant Rights Project is an equal opportunity employer committed to having a diverse staff, board, and volunteer base reflective of the communities we serve and that enhances our ability to create a vibrant environment where all members of the NWIRP community thrive. We strongly encourage applications from individuals who identify as Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC), immigrants (including people who were formerly detained, undocumented, or who have navigated the immigration legal system), women, people with disabilities, members of the LGBTQ+ community, and individuals with diverse cultural backgrounds and language abilities.

NWIRP is committed to providing a work environment free from discrimination and harassment. NWIRP does not discriminate on the basis of class, race, color, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, political ideology, age, creed, religion, ancestry, national origin, or the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability. Excepting any undue hardship, NWIRP will provide reasonable accommodations upon request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the selection process. Please contact HR@nwirp.org.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

All staff attorneys are expected to:

● Provide direct representation to individuals in removal proceedings before the Immigration Court, on appeal to the Board of Immigration Appeals or before the federal courts, and before the Department of Homeland Security;

● Provide direct representation to persons submitting affirmative applications with USCIS and the Department of State;

● Conduct intakes, by phone and in person, and interview clients to gather or clarify information; ● Conduct case analysis to determine eligibility for immigration protections/status under the immigration laws;
● Maintain a working knowledge of significant policies, laws, practices, and trends in immigration

law, particularly as it impacts low-income immigrants and those impacted by the criminal justice

system;
● Establish, organize, and maintain files up to date;
● Perform administrative tasks related to grant reporting such as timekeeping, submitting

timesheets, tracking trainings and other duties in a timely manner;
● Participate in NWIRP’s outreach, community education, and development efforts; and ● Perform other tasks and responsibilities assigned by supervisory staff as needed.

Physical demands: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, stand and walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; talk and hear; utilize a phone, computer, keyboard, pen and paper. Occasional work on night and weekend hours. Travel may be required. Travel reimbursements apply.

Emotional demands: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to discuss topics including, but not limited, to discrimination; child abuse, neglect, abandonment; domestic abuse; violence, and psychological trauma. Working in a detention center environment (especially for LOP).

SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS:

● Law degree;
● Admission to practice of law in a U.S. state (but will consider law graduates taking the February

or July 2023 bar exam)
● Demonstrated commitment to advancing and defending the rights of immigrants and willingness

to support NWIRP’s mission, vision and values;
● Fluent in English and Spanish (additional languages are encouraged);
● Familiarity working with interpreters;
● Prior experience working with survivors of domestic violence or sexual assault is preferred;
● Commitment to creating a welcoming and professional inclusive environment for staff and clients;
● Excellent written and oral communication skills, and ability to organize information in a clear and concise manner, including strong problem solving, research, and analytical skills;
● Previous work with remote legal assistance preferred;
● Ability to provide trauma-informed and culturally inclusive legal representation;
● Special consideration will be given to attorneys with at least two years of prior relevant legal experience;
● Have a strong sense of judgment and decision making;
● Strong organizational skills;
● Ability to work independently as well as in a team environment;
● Proficiency in use of web-based software, Microsoft Office applications, including Word and

Excel, and web peer-to-peer communication platforms; Familiar with G-suite tools like Google

Docs, Google Sheets, and Gmail; and
● The applicant must have a valid driver’s license as each position involves some travel.

Supervising Attorney or Directing Attorney