Detention Hotline Coordinator, Detained Adult Program

Amica Center for Immigrant Rights (Amica Center)•Washington, DC

8h•$61,500 - $80,750•Hybrid

About The Position

The Detention Hotline Coordinator for the Detained Adult Program (DAP) will lead efforts to ensure the effective delivery of legal services through Amica Center’s free detention hotline and through participation in in-person Know Your Rights visits to government detention facilities throughout Virginia. The Detention Hotline Coordinator will oversee hotline operations to ensure callers—whether detained represented individuals, pro se (un-represented) respondents, or non-detained people seeking information—receive accurate, trauma-informed legal education and assistance. They will maintain up-to-date training materials, troubleshoot emergent legal issues, and collaborate across teams to strengthen hotline management, workflows, and rapid response systems. In addition, the Detention Hotline Coordinator will play a key role in expanding access to legal information inside detention centers by delivering in person Know Your Rights presentations, adapting materials to reflect changes in immigration law, and liaising with external partners to enhance the provision of legal services. The Detention Hotline Coordinator will lead in the development, implementation and troubleshooting of systems to enhance the legal information and assistance Amica Center provides to adults who enter ICE custody with pre-existing removal orders, whether the individual is detained locally in long-term detention facilities, in a short-term holding facility, or transferred elsewhere in the country. This is a highly collaborative position, playing a key role within the Know Your Rights (KYR) Team, and closely collaborating with the Volunteer Program, the Direct Representation Intaking Team, and fellow DAP managers.

Requirements

At least 3 years of strong experience or legal training in immigration law.
At least 1 year of supervision experience.
Strong ability to collaborate across teams and departments.
Oral and written Spanish professional proficiency required, fluency preferred.
It is expected that the candidate will need to travel for work-related business. As a result, the candidate must possess a valid driver's license and be comfortable operating a vehicle upon hiring. This role requires travel, but qualified individuals with disabilities may be accommodated in a reasonable manner under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
Candidates will be required to apply to become a DOJ Accredited Representative (see: Executive Office for Immigration Review | Recognition & Accreditation (R&A) Program) after hire. If the detention hotline coordinator's application for DOJ accreditation is approved, they will transition into a Detention Hotline Coordinator– Legal job description and receive a 2-step increase in salary. In addition to the duties and responsibilities outlined above, the detention hotline coordinator– DOJ accredited representative will provide brief legal advice, make limited entries of appearance on matters such as Motions to Reopen, and serve as a backup lead attorney/representative on in-person KYR detention facility visits.

Nice To Haves

Previous experience supervising volunteers preferred.
Experience managing data systems and processes preferred
Experience with Excel and data manipulation preferred.

Responsibilities

Manage operational aspects of the hotline, including staffing schedules, technology troubleshooting, and administrative tasks that keep the hotline running smoothly.
Manage the provision of legal services over the hotline. This includes direct supervision of volunteers, undergraduate interns, and paralegals who provide legal education and resources to callers.
Provide substantive legal training to volunteers, undergraduate interns, legal interns, and paralegals who staff the hotline.
Answer legal questions and provide in-chat support to volunteers, interns, and staff who cover the detention hotline, as they answer calls from individuals who may have emergent legal situations. Troubleshoot these types of requests clearly and empathetically.
Ensure hotline training materials remain up to date with legal changes and any changes to the Know Your Right team’s processes.
Coordinate across teams to ensure all hotline-related systems are effective and useable by staff, volunteers and interns.
Provide emergency coverage of the hotline as needed.
Work across teams and with external partners where appropriate to implement systems for detained individuals with prior removal orders to receive faster access to legal information, screening and representation, including assistance in filing Motions to Reopen.
Directly assist detained people with pre-existing removal orders (or their non-detained points of contact when the detained person cannot be reached) to understand their legal options and processes and to prepare emergency motions and requests. Train and supervise others to do the same.
Work with attorneys and DOJ accredited representatives to ensure final legal review and entries of appearance on Motions to Reopen and other legal requests.
Conducts detention facility visits in Virginia (normally 1 overnight visit per quarter) for the provision of Know Your Rights presentations and group workshops.
Participates in the development of resources for detention facility visits, including updating and creating legal materials, pro se guides, and training for staff and volunteers. Ensures in-person KYR and hotline supporting teams collaboratively share and update legal resources and trainings to maximize efficiency in the provision of legal services. Stays abreast of key legal updates to incorporate into hotline and KYR work.
Identify and track trends and emerging issues faced by the people we work with in detention affecting their immigration cases. Coordinate with others in the organization to help detained people respond to and access better information on issues. Make appropriate referrals and provide necessary insight to in-house and external teams working on responding to the emergent issues identified.
Conducts training and supervises other staff and volunteers on administrative tasks, including database maintenance.
Undertake own administrative functions, including for case and follow up work (e.g., preparation of all aspects of filings) and ensuring the inputting and accuracy of data and case information into shared databases in a timely fashion.
Assists program leadership in planning and implementation of program goals.
Assists other program staff in high-work/low-bandwidth periods.
Actively engage in Amica Center’s training and advocacy efforts, as needed.
Participates in stakeholder relationship activities, including in-person and telephonic meetings with community groups, governmental bodies and representatives, and other legal service providers.
Coordinate with all internal Amica Center Programs (e.g., Impact Lab, DAP Direct Representation teams) to ensure all programs are kept abreast of detention developments, clients, and referrals.

Benefits

Free gym access located in Washington, D.C or Baltimore, MD (dependent on employee’s primary office)
Flexible working hours after successful completion of trainings and with approval of supervisor
Pre-tax commuter benefits for those living in the DMV
Subsidized health, dental insurance, and vision insurance (Amica Center pays a very high rate of the insurance package, for which we can provide additional information)
Life Insurance valued at $50,000, as well as long- and short-term disability
The option to set up a Flexible Spending Account
High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP) with a one-time employer contribution of $350 to the Health Savings Account (HSA)
The option to set up a 403(b) account (the equivalent of a 401(k) account for non-profit organizations) which the organization has the option, for all employees on an annual basis, to match at a certain percentage after one year of continuous employment
23 Personal Days per calendar year
Up to 20 days of Sick Time per calendar year
7 hours of Volunteer Time Off per calendar year
Federal holidays
Paid winter break closure
12 weeks of parental leave