MINNESOTA ADVOCATES FOR HUMAN RIGHTS

Job Opportunities

 Staff Attorney Position Opening

 Minnesota Advocates for Human Rights seeks a Staff Attorney for its Refugee and Immigrant Program.  The Refugee and Immigrant Program serves refugees, asylum seekers and immigrants by:  (1) providing legal services to more than 900 low-income asylum seekers annually, primarily through the work of volunteer attorneys;  (2)  educating refugees and immigrants about their rights under changed immigration laws; (3) mobilizing communities to combat anti-immigrant bias through youth and adult education, media projects, video, myth/fact exercises and speaker training; and (4) providing education and advocacy on behalf of battered immigrant women and their children. 

The Staff Attorney will be responsible for representing asylum seekers before the INS Asylum Office, Executive Office of Immigration Review and Board of Immigration Appeals.   This position involves significant immigration court litigation, including Master Calendar hearings, removal hearings and expedited removal hearings, as well as asylum interviews and credible fear interviews.  In addition, the Staff Attorney will have primary responsibility for developing and managing a program for screening asylum seekers in INS detention, as well as for developing pro se materials and Know Your Rights presentations for detainees.

The Staff Attorney will share with other Refugee and Immigrant Program legal staff responsibility for screening cases through client intake; recruiting, training, supervising and providing technical support to volunteer attorneys; and conducting outreach and education on immigration issues to immigrant community organizations and other members of the public.  Further, as a professional staff member of Minnesota Advocates, the staff attorney will represent the organization at local and national events and to the media.  The staff attorney will also assist with organizational events and fundraising efforts as necessary.

Qualifications include a J.D.; admittance to a state bar; knowledge of and experience with immigration and human rights law; excellent analytical, research, written, and oral communication skills; and a commitment to providing quality legal services to low-income refugee and immigrant populations.  Foreign language capabilities and overseas experience are also a plus.  Send resume and cover letter as soon as possible to: Jennifer Prestholdt, Refugee and Immigrant Program Director, Minnesota Advocates for Human Rights, 310 Fourth Ave. So., Suite 1000, Minneapolis, MN, 55415; fax (612) 341-2971; email:  [email protected].

Minnesota Advocates for Human Rights is an equal opportunity employer.

Minnesota Advocates for Human Rights is committed to cultural diversity and

does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, age, religion,

sexual orientation, disability or any other legally protected status.

Internship Announcements

Children's Human Rights Program

Seeking legal interns to work with the Children's Human Rights Program of Minnesota Advocates for Human Rights.  Interns will assist in advocacy efforts of the Child Survival Project and Child Labour Campaign.  One intern with proficiency in Spanish needed to work on Mexico Child Survival project.  Background in international human rights and international law helpful.  Minimum 6-8 hours/week. 

If interested, please send resume and cover letter to the Children's Human Rights Program at Minnesota Advocates for Human Rights.

Interns needed year-round.  Positions open until filled.

Women's Human Rights Program

Internship positions available for a wide range of projects focusing on women's human rights issues in the United States and internationally.  Background in international law, human rights and domestic violence useful.  Spanish, French, Russian or other Eastern European language helpful.

If interested, please send resume and cover letter to the Women's Human Rights Program at Minnesota Advocates.

Positions open until filled.

For more information, contact Minnesota Advocates for Human Rights,
310 Fourth Avenue South
Suite1000
Minneapolis, MN 55415-1012.
Tel: 612-341-3302, Fax: 612-341-2971, E-mail:  [email protected]