Staff Attorney, Higher Education Legal Services

Position Title: Staff Attorney – Higher Education Legal Services     

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: Directing Attorney Higher Education and Affirmation Services

Pay Range: $74,000-$82,000/year

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 Directing Attorney, Supervising Attorney, Lead Staff Attorney, or experienced Staff Attorney, the Staff Attorney for the Higher Education Legal Services program will be responsible for the following:

• Conduct immigration legal screenings and comprehensive consultations to identify potential immigration benefits, defenses, inadmissibility issues, and related risks
• Provide eligibility and risk assessments for individuals and families seeking immigration representation before DHS, EOIR, and state courts, as needed
• Prepare and file immigration applications and pleadings before USCIS, EOIR, ICE, Border Patrol (BP), CBP’s Office of Field Operations (OFO), and state and/or federal district courts
• Maintain consistent and clear communication with clients regarding case status, developments, and next steps
• Coordinate, document, and manage all client communications in accordance with program standards
• Ensure compliance with data collection, case tracking, and program reporting requirements
• Manage and coordinate a full caseload of active immigration matters effectively and efficiently
• Develop, review, and deliver Know Your Rights and Family Preparedness trainings and presentations for the HELS community and the broader community
• Participate in community outreach efforts, including workshops, information sessions, and campus- and community-based events
• Under the supervision of removal defense attorneys, provide emergency and non-emergency removal defense and enforcement representation for HELS affiliates, AS, and the ILSC, including representation before CBP, BP, ICE, USCIS, and Immigration Courts nationwide (including San Diego, Imperial and Otay Mesa)
• Support the immigration legal team—including DOJ-accredited representatives, pro bono attorneys, and staff—through case support, collaboration, and mentorship
• Supervise assigned staff and ensure supervisees fulfill all job-related responsibilities
• Stay current on rapidly evolving immigration laws, policies, and procedures
• Perform additional case management, administrative, and program support duties as required

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