Associate Director, Data Systems and Analytics- Post-Release Legal Services for Unaccompanied Children (PRLS)

Remote
Full Time
Post-Release Legal Services for Unaccompanied Children (PRLS)
Manager/Supervisor

About Acacia Center for Justice:

The Acacia Center for Justice (“Acacia”) provides legal support and representation to immigrants facing deportation through the development, coordination, and management of national networks of legal services providers serving immigrants across the country. Acacia’s goals are twofold: to support immigrant legal services and defense networks to provide exceptional legal services to immigrants; and to advocate for the expansion of these programs and the infrastructure critical to guaranteeing immigrants access to justice, fairness, and freedom. Acacia ensures accountable, independent, zealous, and person-centered legal services and representation to protect the rights of all immigrants.

Job Summary:

About the Post-Release Legal Services Program

Each year, thousands of unaccompanied children, many fleeing unspeakable violence in their own countries, enter the United States. Upon apprehension and after enduring a harrowing journey, they are detained in federal custody in facilities contracted by the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) and placed in removal (deportation) proceedings. Unaccompanied children do not have a right to a government-appointed attorney and too often must face the immigration courts without the benefit of counsel. Acacia, through its network of more than 90 legal service providers across the U.S., provides free legal services to tens of thousands migrant children.

To meet the growing demand for legal services for unaccompanied children, Acacia, in partnership with 27 legal service providers, will expand its work to include on-the-ground presence in select Executive Office of Immigration Review (EOIR) courthouses to provide additional legal services and representation to children released from ORR in conjunction with EOIR’s Juvenile Dockets. Under the new Post-Release Legal Services Program (PRLS), legal service providers will conduct Know Your Rights orientations aimed at increasing children’s understanding of immigration proceedings, host workshops to assist children with navigating different forms of immigration relief and provide direct representation. Acacia and its partners will also engage in community outreach to create awareness and provide information and resources to partners who have direct contact with unaccompanied children. Finally, building on Acacia’s efforts to expand representation, legal service providers will develop innovative recruitment,

and retention plans to build capacity in the field and provide continuity of service to unaccompanied children.

The Associate Director of Data Systems and Analytics – PRLS leads the design, implementation, maintenance, and user support for PRLS data systems and data analytics, including any PRLS data environment, data analysis tools and tables, data monitoring tools and reports, and data visualization tools. The AD DSA – PRLS serves as primary point on all PRLS data science, data engineering, and data operations. The AD DSA – PRLS works in close partnership with staff on the Research and Evaluation component of REDA to realize contract deliverables. The AD DSA – PRLS oversees the data operations/business intelligence unit responsible for support of all internal and external users of PRLS data systems. The AD DSA – PRLS works in close collaboration with other DSA leadership to ensure consistency in system development and management and knowledge sharing across the unit. The AD DSA – PRLS works in close collaboration with Acacia ITS and external ITS contractors to maintain compliance and secure implementation of data system development.

Primary Duties/Responsibilities:

  • Build, maintain and improve an integrated data management and cloud system architecture for the PRLS program, involving data engineering, development of a program-wide codebase, and maintenance of data analytic environments, leveraging machine learning processes for the treatment of big data sets, code review, and review of data analytics for the purpose of contractually mandated reporting.
  • Build and maintain a deep understanding of the data environment to lead data ecosystem development, maintenance, and operational implementation. Includes oversight of both the unit responsible for user support, data reporting, and data operations; and the unit responsible for data environment development, data tools development, and data analysis.
  • Build, maintain and improve data operations and user support including processes for data verification, mechanisms for data entry support, and related communications and documentation.
  • Partner with the Director of Data Systems and Analytics and other Research, Evaluation, Data and Analytics (REDA) staff on an agenda for the implementation of advanced data management and analysis tools in support of a range of key stakeholders, both internal and external, and aligned with an approach more broadly across Acacia programs. This may include infrastructure
  • that supports response to discrete requests from contract oversight. Lead planning, implementation, and communication of respective projects.
  • Serve as primary Data Systems and Analytics team point person on behalf of the PRLS unit and manage the implementation plans for cross-unit REDA development of analyses, and related data system development, where data science, operations, and/or engineering staff time is required in support of PRLS contract deliverables.
  • Support the Associate Director of Research and Evaluation in delivery of ad hoc or discrete analyses as required by the contract and contract oversight team.
  • Serve as primary point person on behalf of the PRLS Data Systems and Analytics team where close partnership with ITS and Legal verticals are involved in data security and compliance management.
  • Cultivate a culture of adherence to best practice in code development, user management, user support, and project management.
  • Support development of PRLS team culture and skills development, aligning workplace practices align with Acacia’s vision and mission. · Supervise and mentor staff at a range of experience levels and areas of expertise across the Data Systems and Analytics vertical.
  • Support Data Systems and Analytics work across legal service programs and federal contracts, where necessary.
  • Other Duties as Assigned

Required Skills, Knowledge, Abilities:

  • Experience with Project and Program Management methodologies, including Agile. Preference for PMP certification.
  • Experience advising and mentoring on complex data engineering, data visualization, and stakeholder management processes.
  • Experience working with teams in Git/GitHub, preference for familiarity with GitHub issue ticketing or project management functionality.
  • Experience supervising and mentoring data professionals.
  • Experience translating between non-technical and technical audiences.
  • Customer service experience or experience managing large user networks.
  • Commitment to using research and analysis to address and undo racism and inequity in the immigration legal system required; lived experience preferred.

Preferred Skills, Knowledge, Abilities:

  • Proficiency in software commonly used by the team including Amazon Web Services (AWS), ClickUp, Qualtrics, Slack, Microsoft 365, Zoom, Github, and ServiceNow.
  • Basic knowledge in SQL, R, Python or other programming languages.
  • Experience working on government contracts or adhering data environments to strict security compliance requirements.
  • Experience with budget monitoring and forecasting.

Additional Eligibility Requirements:

  • In accordance with federal contracts, a National Crime Information Center (NCIC) check is required for this position. While this is not a current hiring requirement, this position may require a US Federal security clearance.

Education and Experience:

  • Advanced degree + 9-12 years of relevant experience. In lieu of an advanced degree, applicable work or life experience may be considered.

Compensation and Benefits:
Acacia has established an internal compensation philosophy that centers equity and pay transparency. The salary for this position is set at $126,000. The salary listed is just one component of Acacia’s total compensation package for employees. Supporting Acacia staff—both personally and professionally—is our priority.

  • Medical/Dental/Vision- Some plans at $0 cost to the employee
  • Employee Assistance Program
  • 20 days per year of vacation time
  • 12 days per year of sick time
  • 5 personal days
  • 4 organization-wide Wellness Days
  • 11 observed holidays, including the last week of December.
  • $2000 Professional Development Stipend
  • Home office set-up stipend
  • Internet Stipend
  • 401k with 5% employer contribution, no employee participation required.
  • Student loan repayment assistance.
  • Gym Reimbursement

People of color and those who have been impacted by the criminal system and immigration system are strongly urged to apply. Acacia is deeply committed to race equality, inclusion and belonging and strives to create a work culture that recognizes everyone's unique lived experience.

To Apply:

Submit your resume and cover letter through the Acacia Careers site. If you encounter technical issues or have accessibility needs, email your resume and cover letter to [email protected] with Subject: ATTN: Human Resources / [Job Title], Acacia Center for Justice

PLEASE ONLY SUBMIT THROUGH ONE METHOD.

Equal Opportunity Employment:

Acacia is an equal opportunity employer and seeks to recruit persons of diverse backgrounds and support their retention and advancement within the organization. We are committed to fostering a workplace culture inclusive of people with respect to their race, ethnicity, national origin, gender/gender identity, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, veteran status, marital status, age, disabilities, political affiliation, religious beliefs, or any other characteristic. Our commitment to justice and diversity also means providing a work environment that is welcoming, respectful, and engaging.

This job description is not meant to be an all-inclusive list of duties, responsibilities and requirements but constitutes a general definition of the position's scope and function within our organization.

Acacia Center for Justice is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will be considered for employment without unlawful discrimination based on race, color, creed, national origin, sex, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, military status, prior record of arrest or conviction, citizenship status, current employment status, or caregiver status.

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