Special Assistant – Federal Advocacy – National Immigration Law Center (NILC)

Founded in 1979, the National Immigration Law Center (NILC) is the leading advocacy organization in the U.S. exclusively dedicated to defending and advancing the rights and opportunities of low-income immigrants and their loved ones. NILC’s mission is grounded in the belief that everyone living in the U.S. — regardless of race, gender/gender identity, immigration status, or economic status — should have equal access to justice, resources, and educational and economic opportunities that enable them to achieve their full human potential. NILC is committed to advancing its mission — which intersects race, immigration status, and class — through a racial, economic, and gender justice and equity orientation.

Headquartered in Los Angeles with an office in Washington, DC, NILC seeks to achieve just laws and policies that address systemic inequities, create narrative and culture change for an inclusive and equitable society, and build a healthier and more powerful movement. For more information, please visit www.nilc.org. and www.immigrantjusticefund.org/

NILC is seeking a Special Assistant to provide high-level project management and administrative support to the Director of Federal Advocacy. The Special Assistant role is best suited to someone who demonstrates an ability to anticipate needs and changes, whose writing and attention to detail is superb, who can take minimal guidance and achieve maximum impact, has strong project management skills and thrives in ambiguity. The role will be based out the office in Washington, D.C., Los Angeles, or remotely.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

• • Provide management assistance to the Director of Federal Advocacy, including project planning and execution, preparation for meetings, agenda setting and coordination, and ensuring follow-up activities are completed.
  • Supports the Director of Federal Advocacy in leading NILC’s administrative advocacy work. Provides professional support by conducting research, synthesizing and analyzing data on programs, extrapolating lessons learned and essential points critical to management.
  • Works directly with Program teams. Identifies communication and information tracking and sharing needs of diverse stakeholders, including the Director of Federal Advocacy, Program Directors, and staff leading different areas of NILC’s programmatic priorities on administrative advocacy. Establishes protocols for communicating and tracking programmatic work that enhances flow of information across all levels of the organization, vertical and horizontal and records our progress.
  • Oversees execution for projects (evaluation, work planning, goals setting, budget development and management) led by or under purview of the Director of Federal Advocacy. Provides appropriate coordination on projects and tasks, including planning, troubleshooting, progress reporting, researching and interacting with staff and consultants.
  • Performs other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS AND QUALIFICATIONS

• • • Education and Experience:
    • Bachelor’s degree and minimum of four years’ work experience with a positive growth trajectory, or equivalent work experience.
    • Proven track record of successfully supporting an executive or organizational leader.
    • Familiarity with the immigration movement and related topics is a plus.

• • Ability to work independently, prioritize and multi-task with minimum supervision in a fast paced and demanding environment. Able to successfully work under ambiguity and rapid change.
  • Excellent organizational skills and ability to manage up and across. Detail oriented and flexible with excellent interpersonal skills.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills. Intermediate or Advanced experience with MS Suite and shared workspace platforms. Able to synthesize complex information and comfortably present data.
  • Able to maintain a high degree of confidentiality and discretion, as a member of a dynamic team. Superior relationship-building skills.
  • Able to effectively manage difficult or sensitive situations. Courteous and professional manner and ability to maintain a calm and professional manner under pressure and with constantly shifting priorities.
  • Values aligned with the mission of defending and advancing the rights of immigrants with low income. A strong commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion for all.
  • Collaborative, proactive, and flexible working style with a strong service mentality.
  • Displays sound judgment in decision making.

Work Environment

• • All staff are currently working in a remote office environment through at least December 2021 due to COVID. Under normal work conditions the work environment is generally quiet and in an office setting. Travel 10-15% of the time, generally, travel is quarterly to the NILC DC office or another location within the US for 3-5 nights.

Physical Demands

• • Remaining in a stationary position, often standing or sitting for prolonged periods
  • Communicating with others to exchange information.
  • Repeating motions, like typing or answering a phone, that may include the wrists, hands and/or fingers.
  • Assessing the accuracy, neatness and thoroughness of the work assigned.

Expected pay rate is between $38.46/hour to $50.00/hour, commensurate and flexible with experience. (NILC Grade 4 Salary range, stated on an hourly basis, based on 1,820 hours annually, or $70,000 – $91,000 annualized).