Bilingual Staff Attorney (Detained Immigrant Advocates)

Northwest Immigrant Rights Project (NWIRP) seeks a full-time bilingual Staff Attorney to join the Detained Immigrant Advocates (DIA) unit in our Tacoma office. Applicants must be fluent in English and Spanish (or one other language), with additional languages encouraged. A minimum two-year commitment is expected, and the ability to start as soon as possible is required.

About Northwest Immigrant Rights Project

Founded in 1984, Northwest Immigrant Rights Project (NWIRP) is a nationally recognized legal services organization defending and advancing the rights of immigrants. With over 200 employees, NWIRP provides direct legal representation and assistance in immigration matters to thousands of low-income individuals from over 150 countries and 60 languages. NWIRP challenges unjust policies through high-impact litigation and advocates for laws respecting immigrant rights. The Tacoma office serves immigrants detained at the Northwest Detention Center and low-income immigrants in the South Puget Sound, Olympic Peninsula, and Southwestern Washington regions.

The Detained Immigrant Advocates Unit (DIA) provides direct legal services to individuals detained at the Northwest ICE Processing Center in Tacoma, WA, which holds up to 1,575 community members at any given time.

Responsibilities

• Provide direct representation to individuals in removal proceedings before the Immigration Court, Board of Immigration Appeals, federal courts, and the Department of Homeland Security.
• Represent clients submitting affirmative applications with USCIS and the Department of State.
• Conduct presentations, workshops, legal clinics, and intakes by phone and in person.
• Analyze cases to determine eligibility for immigration protections/status under immigration laws.
• Maintain a working knowledge of significant policies, laws, and trends in immigration law, particularly impacting low-income immigrants and those affected by the criminal justice system.
• Establish, organize, and maintain up-to-date case files.
• Perform administrative tasks related to grant reporting, including timekeeping, submitting timesheets, and tracking training.
• Participate in NWIRP’s outreach, community education, and development efforts.
• Perform other tasks assigned by supervisory staff based on NWIRP’s needs.

Requirements

• Law degree and admission to the bar of any U.S. state.
• Demonstrated commitment to immigrant rights and alignment with NWIRP’s mission, vision, and values.
• Excellent writing, communication, interpersonal, and organizational skills.
• Ability to provide trauma-informed and culturally inclusive legal representation.
• Commitment to creating a welcoming, professional, and inclusive environment for staff and clients.
• Fluency in English and Spanish (or one other language); additional languages encouraged.
• Strong ability to work independently and collaboratively in a team environment.
• Proficiency in web-based software, Microsoft Office (Word, Excel), and G-suite tools (Google Docs, Sheets, Gmail).
• Valid driver’s license, as the position involves some travel.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Prior immigration law and removal experience.
• Experience working with survivors of domestic violence or sexual assault.
• Experience handling a high-volume caseload.

Physical and Emotional Demands

• Regularly required to sit, stand, walk, use hands, reach, talk, and hear.
• Utilize a phone, computer, keyboard, pen, and paper.
• Occasional night and weekend work; travel may be required (reimbursements apply).
• Regularly discuss sensitive topics, including discrimination, child abuse, domestic violence, and psychological trauma.
• Occasional work in a detention center environment.

Anticipated work schedule: Monday–Friday, 9 am–5 pm, with a 30–60 minute unpaid lunch. Hybrid work model with at least two full days per week in the office.

Pay

This is an exempt, salaried position with a minimum annual salary of $84,508.11 for candidates awaiting bar admission. Admitted candidates with no relevant experience qualify for $87,362.92 annually. Salaries increase with experience, up to a maximum of $155,214.80 for 40 years of relevant experience.

Benefits

• Fully paid health, vision, and dental plans for employee-level coverage, with employer-funded HRA and HSA options.
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA) and Dependent Care accounts.
• Automatic employer contribution of 3% to a 403(b) retirement plan.
• 12 days of paid health-related leave per year.
• 15 days of paid vacation during the first year, increasing with tenure.
• 12 weeks of paid parental leave after 6 months, with the option to extend using State-paid leave.
• 14 paid holidays, with the ability to float 5 holidays.
• Employer-paid disability, life, AD&D, and long-term care insurance.
• 4 weeks of paid sabbatical after every five years of employment.
• Eligibility to earn compensatory time.
• Paid professional development opportunities.
• Potential relocation bonus for new employees (per the Collective Bargaining Agreement).
• Subsidized transit pass and free onsite parking for the Tacoma office.

NWIRP is an eligible employer under the Federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program.