JOB TYPE: Ministerial
REPORTS TO: Director of Immigration Legal Services

POSITION DESCRIPTION

This full-time, benefited position provides— or will train a highly-committed candidate to provide — high-quality legal services to low-income individuals by assessing eligibility for immigration relief, preparing applications for submission, and representing clients before U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and the U.S. Department of State. If the candidate is partially accredited, representation will be limited to these agencies; if fully accredited, responsibilities will also include representation before the Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR) and the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA).

The Immigration Legal Services program brings dignity, justice and hope to the immigrant among us by providing direct legal services in immigration matters to low-income clients in Eastern Oklahoma, so that immigrants can fully engage in and contribute to our community.

DOJ ACCREDITATION

The Department of Justice (DOJ) Recognition and Accreditation Program allows certain nonprofit organizations to provide immigration legal services through trained, non-attorney staff (8 C.F.R. § 1292.1(a)(4)). Under this program, Catholic Charities is a recognized organization authorized to offer immigration assistance. Catholic Charities may seek accreditation for specific staff members, enabling them to represent clients before agencies such as USCIS (with partial accreditation) and, with full accreditation, before the immigration courts. 

The program’s purpose is to expand access to affordable, reliable immigration legal services, particularly in underserved communities. Accredited representatives must meet defined training and character requirements, and recognized organizations are required to maintain appropriate supervision, legal resources, and client service standards. 

MINISTERIAL

• As a ministerial representative of CCEOK, both professional and personal conduct must align with the ethical and moral standards of the Catholic Church
• Pray daily for the needs of the poor through personal prayer, daily Mass, and/or adoration
• Be willing to learn and apply Catholic teaching in your role
• Help foster a shared culture of ministry across program operations and management

IMMIGRATION LEGAL ASSISTANCE 

• Conduct client interviews and screenings to assess eligibility for immigration relief, prepare and file applications, petitions, motions, and supporting documentation with USCIS and/or EOIR
• Advise clients on potential immigration benefits under the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) and implementing regulations in affirmative matters before USCIS (if partially accredited) and defensive matters before EOIR (if fully accredited)
• Provide direct representation in immigration matters and manage all aspects of casework, including client communication, legal research, drafting declarations, and preparing immigration forms
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of immigration law, policy, and procedural developments through ongoing training, webinars, and professional development
• Actively participate in team trainings 
• Represent clients in removal proceedings before EOIR, including hearings, if fully accredited
• Represent clients at USCIS interviews in Oklahoma as required

CASE MANAGEMENT

• Manage an individual caseload under the supervision of the Director
• Maintain accurate and timely case records, including data entry, documentation, and reporting in the case management system
• Ensure strong ethical compliance with government agency policies, departmental procedures, and DOJ accreditation requirements
• Participate in peer case file review and quality assurance processes

LEADERSHIP

• Train and mentor new legal staff in coordination with the Program Director 
• Contribute to program development by offering insights and recommendations to improve operational efficiency and client service delivery. 

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

• Collaborate with and assist in training volunteers to support program services 
• Conduct community education and outreach, particularly within the Hispanic/Latino community
• Work collaboratively with agency staff, referral partners, and community organizations to coordinate comprehensive services for clients
• Participate in immigration relief clinics and workshops
• Engage in community and stakeholder meetings to strengthen partnerships and advance program goals
• Performs other related duties as assigned by management

QUALIFICATIONS

• Accredited DOJ Representative (Partial or Full) OR willing to be trained to be an Accredited DOJ Representative (Partial or Full) 
• Work experience in the immigration legal field is preferred  
• Proficiency in Spanish and fluency in English (reading, writing, and speaking) required 
• Competence in communicating and interacting with others of diverse cultural, geographic, and economic backgrounds professionally and compassionately, including interacting with individuals experiencing substantial levels of emotional, physical, financial, or other hardship 
• Strong attention to detail and good problem-solving skills 
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills 
• Humility: willingness to learn new things, problem solve, and grow outside of comfort zone
• Ability to prioritize multiple projects and ensure all deadlines are met 
• Computer proficiency, including MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Office 365, and case management software