To apply: Please send resume and cover letter to:
Mason Jeffrys, Associate Director (mason@dscs.org)
Posting date: October 11, 2016. Interviews to be scheduled on a rolling basis until position is filled.
Dolores Street Community Services (DSCS) nurtures individual wellness and cultivates collective power among low-income and immigrant communities to create a more just society. A multi-issue, multi-strategy organization based in San Francisco’s Mission District, we work to improve lives on an individual level as well as affect broader change by engaging in advocacy and community organizing. Our programs address a range of issues from homelessness to affordable housing to immigrant rights and services.
DSCS is at an exciting juncture for program growth. The agency has, over the last several years, developed strong immigration programs and a leadership presence in San Francisco through facilitation of an important network of community organizations, provision of direct legal services, and engagement in advocacy. In order to meet the high demand for services, DSCS is preparing to expand its programming capacity, and further expose its work among external stakeholders in the policy, funding, and nonprofit communities.
The Director of Immigration Programs is a new position in the organization that will support our Deportation Defense and Legal Advocacy Program (DDLAP) and the San Francisco Immigrant Legal and Education Network (SFILEN). DDLAP is a highly respected legal program providing pro bono removal defense for low-income, predominantly Latino, San Francisco residents facing deportation from the U.S. SFILEN is a unique Citywide network of 13 community-based legal and outreach organizations that meets regularly to facilitate knowledge sharing around legal and community issues, conducts client referrals, and enhances outreach and service opportunities for hard to reach clients.
The Program Director position will take a lead role in supporting a strong, talented team of Program Managers, attorneys, and legal assistants to support program development goals, and will join the Senior Management team of the agency.
Position Summary:
The successful applicant for this position will be comfortable handling a variety of tasks and overseeing a broad diversity of work areas—a self-directed, community-spirited individual with extensive experience in program planning and management, facilitative leadership, and maintaining external partnerships with city officials, CBO’s and other stakeholders.
Desired Experience and Skills
Background in and passion for immigrant rights issues, especially with knowledge of legal and casework needs. Law background is ideal but not required.
Experience working with staff to develop strategic program priorities.
Facilitative leadership experience with an ability to manage multiple priorities and develop shared, visionary interests across a diverse group of stakeholders.
Superb relationship skills to work with Community Based Organizations, city partners, funders, and effectively communicate on behalf of DSCS around matters of strategy, programming, and budgeting.
Experience with staff supervision around matters of professional development support and organizational development.
Strong experience with contract management and budgeting.
Comfortable producing external communications for DSCS immigration programs.
Roles and Responsibilities
Strategic Planning
Overall: Expand client services and coalition efforts by guiding staff and network members in a process of planning and execution.
Facilitate with attorneys and other staff the vision setting and execution of the Deportation Defense and Legal Advocacy Program’s growth goals, collaborating with the Senior Management team to coordinate these efforts with DSCS’ overall strategy.
Lead a facilitative planning process for the SFILEN membership to establish strategic priorities and work with the Program Manager and organizational members to develop responses to community and policy issues as they come up.
Management and Administration
Work with a highly dedicated and talented team of staff to foster an environment of mutual collaboration within and across Immigration Programs.
Supervise Deportation Defense and SFILEN Program Managers, and work with staff team to develop a shared leadership model that supports individual professional development goals and innovative program development.
Troubleshoot around major program areas including legal and case management issues, and relationship management with the SFILEN network
Support attorneys to engage external mentorship and/or technical advisory body for legal supervision/consultation as needed.
Work with team to develop organization systems for growing legal program.
Oversee the integration and standardization of contract management systems and monthly reporting, as appropriate.
Directly manage contracts when needed.
Supervise the quality and timeliness of reports
Work with Associate Director and other relevant fiscal personnel to ensure project budgets are up to date and accounted for.
Be a part of the Senior Management Team to address matters of organizational management, budget, program development, visioning, and policy setting.
Attend occasional meetings of the agency’s Board of Directors or Board Committees to report and get input on matters related to Immigration Programs
Funding
Work with Senior Management and program staff to develop a fundraising plan for the program, identify and apply for relevant funding opportunities, and ensure alignment with agency capacity and mission
External Affairs
Support the Executive Director and program staff in representing the agency before City staff and policymakers on funding and policy issues.
Work with the Executive Director and program staff to develop a communications strategy for DSCS immigration programs.
Support the management of relationships with SFILEN members, ensuring their active participation in the network and other immigration related matters as they arise.
Represent, or ensure representation of DSCS attorneys in relevant legal coalitions, policy discussions, and advocacy opportunities.
Represent and advocate on behalf of DSCS in important city and foundation relationships.
Coordinate with the Associate Director on content for regular communication tools (i.e. newsletter) to elevate DSCS’s profile as a legal service and advocacy organization.