Deputy Project Director for Immigration Detention, National Prison Project

The ACLU seeks applicants for the full-time position of Deputy Project Director for Immigration Detention in the National Prison Project (NPP) of the ACLU's National office in Washington, D.C., San Francisco, CA, or New York, NY. This is a hybrid role with in-office requirements of two (2) days per week or eight (8) days per month. The National Prison Project works to ensure that conditions in prisons, jails, juvenile detention centers, and immigration detention facilities comply with the Constitution, domestic law, and international human rights principles. The position will have a particular emphasis on challenging immigration detention conditions, the expansion of the immigration detention footprint, and the use and abuse of immigration detention in the federal government's mass deportation system.

Responsibilities

Assist the NPP Project Director in all aspects of management of the Project, including strategic planning, fundraising, and supervision of Project staff; Challenge immigration detention conditions, the expansion of the immigration detention footprint, and the use and abuse of immigration detention; Coordinate closely with ACLU Immigrants' Rights Project and ACLU affiliates across the country; Lead complex civil rights litigation in state and federal court; Develop and lead integrated advocacy campaigns; Directly supervise specified staff attorneys, legal fellows, and/or administrative staff; Ensure balance of work across Project staff; Assist in hiring, onboarding, and managing new staff, fellows, and interns; Engage in litigation including drafting pleadings, briefs, and affidavits; Serve as lead or co-lead counsel on a substantial caseload of major class actions in federal court; Conduct discovery and motion practice, handle hearings and trials, argue appeals; Manage case development and conduct client and witness interviews; Conduct legal research and write legal memoranda; Provide technical assistance and expert legal advice to ACLU affiliates and cooperating attorneys; Conduct policy advocacy on prisoners' and detainees' rights, criminal justice, and immigration detention issues; Develop new cases and non-litigation advocacy projects; Assist with annual strategic planning and memoranda to Senior Staff; Manage special projects; Represent NPP / ACLU in public-facing meetings, speaking events, and media opportunities; Travel as required for litigation, conferences, and case and strategy development

Requirements

J.D. degree and active State Bar membership; Extensive experience in complex civil litigation matters in federal court, minimum of 10 years preferred; Demonstrated experience working in immigrant detention and immigrant community settings; Excellent legal research, writing, and verbal communication skills; Ability to engage in complex legal analysis and fact finding; Demonstrated ability to write and speak clearly and persuasively; Experience working with reporters and the media on criminal justice and immigration issues; Ability to work with a wide range of people and foster a team environment; Commitment to the mission of the ACLU; Demonstrated commitment to diversity within the office using a personal approach that values all individuals and respects differences; Commitment to work collaboratively and respectfully toward resolving obstacles and/or conflicts

Nice to have

Fluency in Spanish or other languages commonly spoken by immigrant detainees; Self-motivated, diligent and able to meet strict deadlines while under pressure; Extensive experience in class action litigation; Proven expertise in campaign management and execution; Comprehensive experience in criminal justice, immigration issues, and institutional reform efforts

Benefits

Generous paid time-off policy; Comprehensive healthcare benefits including medical, dental and vision coverage, parental leave, gender affirming care and fertility treatment; 401k plan with employer match; Annual professional development funds, internal professional development programs and workshops