Ufw Foundation is hiring: Supervising Attorney - Bakersfield, CA and Fresno, CA

UFW FOUNDATION JOB POST

TITLE: Supervising Attorney

FLSA STATUS: Exempt (Salary)

LOCATION:

Bakersfield, CA

Fresno, CA

HIRING RANGE:

$82,080.00 - $92,330.00, depending on experience

About UFW Foundation

For nearly 19 years, the UFW Foundation has mobilized farm workers and their organizations across the country to advocate for more equitable policies, such as immigration reform, pesticide protections, heat standards, hazard pay and other worker protections. We engage constituents in systemic change to break the cycle of poverty while also providing critical services. The UFW Foundation is one of the largest federally accredited immigration legal service providers in California, with staff in California, Arizona, Georgia, Illinois, Michigan, New York, and Washington state.

The UFW Foundation’s Immigration Legal Services Program provides high quality comprehensive affirmative and removal defense services, and representation before USCIS, EOIR, and California State Courts. We represent low-income clients, including unaccompanied minors, in an array of affirmative and defensive applications, including but not limited to family petitions, U-visa/VAWA, Waivers, Naturalization and DACA, as well as Asylum/Withholding/CAT, Cancellation of Removal and SIJS. The UFW Foundation is a DOJ-recognized and accredited organization.

Summary

The Supervising Attorney position will provide general oversight of their assigned team members (attorneys, service providers, legal assistants, and fellows), with emphasis on monitoring the regional workload and maintaining stakeholder correspondence, providing general feedback to ensure the flow of legal information and workload. The Supervising Attorney will be located in one of the following locations: Northern Central Valley, Southern Central Valley, and Southern Central Coast. The Supervising Attorney will report to a Directing Attorney.

The UFW Foundation seeks an individual with law practice experience or experience working with immigrant communities that can help the organization, in collaboration with the UFW Foundation’s programs and departments, as well as its partners, to develop a service delivery model that will maximize the limited resources in rural communities and leverage relationships from urban centers.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

(This is not an exhaustive list)

Direct Legal Services

• Provide high-quality affirmative immigration and removal defense services and representation before USCIS, EOIR, and California state courts.

• Assess client eligibility for a range of immigration relief, including Naturalization, DACA renewal, Employment Authorization, Family-Based Petitions, Adjustment of Status, Permanent Resident Card renewal, SIJS, VAWA, U/T visas, TPS, Asylum, and Cancellation of Removal.
• Prepare and file timely and thorough applications, motions, briefs, and supporting documentation.
• Analyze criminal dispositions and advise clients regarding immigration consequences.
• Explain processes, options, and timelines to clients in a clear and culturally competent manner.
• Maintain accurate, detailed, and timely case data in the case management system.

Supervision & Quality Assurance

• Supervise, mentor, and support attorneys, DOJ-accredited representatives, fellows, legal assistants, and interns.

• Oversee workflows, caseload distribution, and case quality to ensure compliance with immigration law, ethical obligations, and organizational policies.
• Provide regular feedback, coaching, and training to staff, including support for DOJ accreditation/renewal.
• Participate in “triage” meetings and other supervisory check-ins to ensure effective case screening and workload management.

Community Engagement & Education

• Represent the UFW Foundation at workshops, group processing events, and community legal education presentations (e.g., Know Your Rights, immigration relief information sessions).

• Collaborate with community partners, educational institutions, and other stakeholders to expand service delivery and reach.
• Identify trends in DHS practices and emerging community needs to inform advocacy and program strategies.

Program Development & Reporting

• Support the preparation and submission of grant reports and other required documentation.

• Collaborate with Directing Attorneys to maximize program impact, efficiency, and case output.
• Contribute to fundraising efforts, including providing data, client stories, and legal insights.

Other Responsibilities

• Travel regularly to court hearings, workshops, UFW Foundation service centers, and trainings.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Balance direct client representation with supervisory duties.
• Lead, mentor, and support a team of attorneys, DOJ-accredited representatives, legal assistants, fellows, and interns.
• Provide ongoing training, coaching, and performance feedback to build staff capacity and ensure professional growth.
• Establish clear expectations, monitor workloads, and hold team members accountable for meeting quality and productivity standards.
• Foster a supportive, collaborative, and inclusive team culture that reflects the UFW Foundation’s mission and values.
• Support staff in preparing for and renewing DOJ accreditation or bar membership, as applicable.
• Coordinate with Directing Attorneys to align team goals with broader program and organizational priorities.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

The ideal candidate for this position must have a high level of professionalism and organization. The candidate must demonstrate competency in the following areas:

• Licensed attorney in good standing.
• At least 2 years of supervisory experience.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, including good communication skills, listening skills, and attitude.
• Experience working with vulnerable populations.
• Demonstrated cultural competence and cross-cultural communication skills.
• Ability to work both independently and under supervision.
• Ability to work flexible hours, including some evenings and weekends.
• Ability to keep track of projects and deadlines and communicate progress in real-time.
• Collaboration. Ability to work with teammates in a professional and solutions-oriented manner. Demonstrated ability to work with a diverse group of people in various settings.
• Dedication to Mission. A genuine interest in immigrant and farm worker rights/workers’ rights (e.g. worker conditions, wage-hour violation).
• Excellent oral and written communication skills in Spanish and English.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Flexibility, Speed, and Precision. Ability to adjust quickly to constantly changing priorities with speed, precision, and accuracy.
• Si Se Puede Attitude. The embodiment of a personal spirit that promotes confidence, courage and risk-taking.
• This is a fully in-person position. The incumbent will be required to report daily to one of our regional offices. In addition, the incumbent may be required to attend meetings, trainings, or workshops either in their home state or elsewhere throughout the year.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

ADDITIONAL AND/OR SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS AND/OR QUALIFICATIONS

COVID-19 Vaccination Requirement – The UFW Foundation is committed to ensuring the health and safety of our community, employees, and program participants. While vaccinations and boosters are not currently mandatory, we strongly recommend their use as a crucial measure in reducing the transmission of COVID-19. It is imperative to emphasize that if a pandemic situation arises that necessitates vaccines and/or boosters, we will reinstate this requirement to protect everyone effectively. Vaccinations have proven to be effective in preventing the spread of the virus and reducing severe illness. By choosing to get vaccinated, individuals contribute to the collective effort in mitigating the impact of the pandemic and creating a safer environment for all. We will continually monitor the evolving situation and follow the guidance of health authorities.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally up to 25 pounds.

WORK ENVIRONMENT: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

The UFW Foundation is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive work environment for all. Employment decisions at the UFW Foundation will be based on merit, qualifications, and abilities, and will not be influenced by protected characteristics. We encourage all qualified applicants to apply for positions with the UFW Foundation. The policy governs all aspects of employment and prohibits unlawful discrimination by any employee.