Who we are
Acacia Center for Justice (Acacia) is a new non-profit that seeks to deliver and advocate for meaningful and effective access to justice and freedom for immigrants at risk of detention or deportation. Acacia works in partnership with a nationwide network of accountable and independent organizations committed to the critical work of providing legal orientation and representation services to adults and children facing deportation in the detained and non-detained settings. As a key part of this work, Acacia is responsible for delivering high quality research, evaluation and performance monitoring, and data analytics.
Who you are
Acacia Center of Justice seeks an Associate Program Director to oversee and lead its Recruitment Pipeline Project (RPP) which seeks to expand legal capacity in the immigration field by introducing new immigration attorneys into the nonprofit/public sector. The goal of this project is to bridge the representation gap that exists most acutely for unaccompanied children by developing a pathway for law graduates and attorneys to pursue careers in the immigration nonprofit field. To increase nationally capacity, the APD will develop a strategic implementation plan for building partnerships with expert agencies/organizations and recruitment firms to support the recruitment of recent law graduates as well as a well-rounded pool of experienced attorneys into the field through national job fairs, convenings, and law school fairs. The APD will also work with vendors to develop a strategic marketing campaign that builds awareness of existing jobs, mentorship and support in pursuing this career path, and connects interested individuals to live job openings.
What you'll be doing
Strategic Project Management
- Project Management of Recruitment Pipeline Project (RPP) in partnership with key internal and external partners.
- Work with Program Manager to develop and implement a strategic implementation plan for engaging with recruitment agencies, fellowship programs, and marketing firms to expand attorney capacity in the field.
- Strategically and creatively brainstorm solutions experienced by contracting partners in executing recruitment activities and meeting benchmarks
- Draft and review and manage contracts with recruitment partners.
Stakeholder Relations
- Mange relationships with multiple subcontractors, and other stakeholders including the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR)
- Respond to periodic reporting request from ORR
Team Leadership, mentorship and development
- Participate in planning and development of the RPP including identifying key performance goals, building relationships with key partners.
- Onboard, supervise, support and mentor RPP team members across roles and levels including operations, research and finance roles.
- Lead and support the recruitment and hiring for the recruitment pipeline project team.
Contract Compliance and Budget and Resource Management
- Develop and implement measures and processes to monitor contract compliance, including through analysis of program data and spending.
- Work in collaboration with finance team to monitor contract spending and adjust priorities where appropriate.
- Contextualize and assess the funding needs for the program from an operational perspective.
Communications
- Work with vendors to develop a strategic marketing campaign that builds awareness of existing jobs, mentorship and support in pursuing removal defense career path, and connects interested individuals to live job postings.
Qualifications/Skills Needed:
Required:
- Advanced degree in law, public policy, political science, education
- Demonstrated ability to manage a project, including assigned staff, from start to finish
- Experience in any of the following areas: program administration, law career services, immigrant legal services, government, or policy work.
- Experience in capacity/field building efforts.
- Demonstrated knowledge of immigration, child welfare, criminal and juvenile justice
- Ability to anticipate and identify problems and apply creative solutions
- Attention to detail and accuracy
- Strong organizational skills
- Strong communication
- Ability to work collaboratively with a team as well as the ability to take initiative and manage projects independently.
- Uncompromising commitment to immigrants' rights and race equity
- Background check as well as any government clearance requirements.
Preferred
- Experience in educational career counseling services.
- Experience with government grants and contracts.
- Knowledge of public interest law field.
Compensation and Benefits:
Acacia has established an internal compensation philosophy the centers equity and pay transparency. The compensation for this position is set at $126,000. The salary listed is just one component of Acacia’s total compensation package for employees. Supporting Acacia staff—both personally and professionally—is our priority.
- Medical/Dental/Vision- Some plans at $0 cost to the employee
- Employee Assistance Program
- 20 days per year of vacation time
- 12 days per year of sick time
- 4 personal days
- 11 observed holidays, including the last week of December
- Professional Development Stipend
- Home office set-up stipend
- Internet Stipend
- 401k with 5% employer contribution, no employee participation required.
- Student loan repayment assistance.
- Gym Reimbursement
People of color and those who have been impacted by the criminal justice system are strongly urged to apply.
To Apply:
Please upload a resume and cover letter at the link provided or email admin@acaciajustice.org with Subject: ATTN: Human Resources / [Job Title], Acacia Center for Justice
Equal Opportunity Employment:
Acacia is an equal opportunity employer and seeks to recruit persons of diverse backgrounds and support their retention and advancement within the organization. We are committed to fostering a workplace culture inclusive of people with respect to their race, ethnicity, national origin, gender/gender identity, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, veteran status, marital status, age, disabilities, political affiliation, religious beliefs, or any other characteristic. Our commitment to justice and diversity also means providing a work environment that is welcoming, respectful, and engaging.
As a federal contractor, and in order to ensure a healthy and safe work environment, Acacia Center for Justice is requiring all employees to be fully vaccinated and provide proof of their COVID-19 vaccine before their start date. Employees who cannot receive the vaccine because of a disability/medical contraindication or sincerely-held religious belief may request an accommodation (e.g., an exemption) to this requirement.
Acacia Center for Justice is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will be considered for employment without unlawful discrimination based on race, color, creed, national origin, sex, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, military status, prior record of arrest or conviction, citizenship status, current employment status, or caregiver status.