Join Our Team | Columbia County Sanctuary Movement

Open Positions:

Part-Time Asylum Seeker Food Justice Organizer

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Community Navigator

CCSM organizes with (im)migrants and allies to collectively support, empower and defend our communities. The Community Navigator will work closely with Co-Executive Director focused on Programs and Services, staff, and the Coordinating Committee to help community members locate, connect, engage, and stay involved with the services they need to achieve their goals. Navigators will be mobile and serve as the bridge to guide individuals across different systems, city agencies, and organizations.

CCSM is building a representative staff that contributes to leadership development within our community. We will provide training and mentorship to applicants who we believe would be a strong addition to our team but do not have all of the qualifications below. We collectively develop work portfolios that match individual skill sets and organizational aspirations.

Service Provision & Coordination

Conduct intakes and provide ongoing follow up and case support to community members
Connect immigrants to legal service providers, social service organizations, and government representatives
Maintain comprehensive up-to-date notes and provide timely notification to community members of all activities regarding their case
Conduct home visits and accompany members to appointments (e.g., social service, legal, and Department of Motor Vehicles appointments)
Identify, compile and maintain lists of culturally and linguistically appropriate community services, programs and resources for use by community members
Translate and interpret for members participating in CCSM programming
Work with Co-Executive Director- Programs and Services to identify service gaps and develop solutions to fill those gaps
Work with volunteer coordinators and staff to distribute mutual aid and coordinate transportation programming
Support in efforts to improve emergency hotline and activate rapid response network
Advocate for institutional accountability to language justice policies
Provide transportation for community members to appointments when needed
Collaborate with Co-Executive Directors and other staff to strengthen CCSM’s service to organizing model
Attend weekly staff meetings and monthly Coordinating Committee meetings

Qualifications

Commitment to CCSM’s mission, immigrant communities, and principles of collective liberation
Bilingualism (English / Spanish) required
Previous social service or legal experience is highly desirable.
Willingness to work in both a remote and in-person setting
Willingness to work flexible hours and travel for trainings, conferences, and accompaniment occasionally with personal vehicle
Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail
Good written and verbal communication skills
Valid driver’s license, access to a car, and ability to travel
Exceptional relational skills working directly with people in complex situations
Relationships with immigrant communities / Resident of Columbia or Greene County preferred
Comfortable managing multiple projects independently and with a team
Excellent project and time management skills
Take feedback well and have a learning mindset
Directly impacted by or experience with immigration system preferred

Statistics show that people with marginalized identities often do not apply for positions when they do not meet all qualifications. We encourage you to push past the imposter syndrome and apply anyway.

Terms of Employment

This is a full-time position (approximately 40 hours a week) with a starting salary of $45,000 and significant annual raises based on CCSM’s pay scale. Benefits include health, vision, and dental insurance, a work computer and cell phone, mileage reimbursement, paid holidays, and unlimited paid time off with prior approval.

We are committed to compensating our team fairly and decreasing the inequity that can come from salary negotiations. Therefore, the posted salary and benefits are the best we can offer at this time, and we will continue to build a benefits package that supports all staff.

This position will be mostly in-person; in addition to in-person one to one meetings and member events, we hold in-person staff meetings every other week, and in-person Coordinating Committee meetings once a month.

CCSM is an equal opportunity employer and strongly encourages people of color, women, working-class people, LGBTQIA people, immigrants, formerly incarcerated people, and people with disabilities to apply.

To Apply:

Please send a cover letter, resume, and three professional references with emails and phone numbers to sanctuarycolumbiacounty@gmail.com with “Job Application- Community Navigator” as the subject line. We will not check references until after the interview.

Your cover letter should answer the following questions:

1. How are you impacted by the immigration system?

2. Why are you interested in this role?

3. What experiences have you had that make you interested in this position? (Your response does NOT need to include formal work experience)

Immigration Attorney

The Columbia County Sanctuary Movement (CCSM) organizes with immigrants and allies to collectively support, empower and defend our communities. We are a multilingual non-profit organization dedicated to providing holistic services, education and engaging members in campaigns for systemic change. This position is based in Hudson, New York with the ability to work a hybrid remote/in-office schedule and will report to Co-Executive Directors.

The Staff Attorney will provide legal representation to recent arrivals and long term residents on both affirmative applications and in removal proceedings. The attorney can expect to appear before the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, New York City Immigration Court, and Buffalo Immigration Court. The Director of Legal Services, will have the opportunity to work along CCSM to use creative legal remedies and gutsy advocacy strategies to challenge the unjust deportation machine and inhumane immigration legal system.

70% Legal Service Provision

Conduct intakes with potential clients, conflict checks, and screenings for various forms of immigration relief
Facilitate legal consultations and provide case specific advice to clients
Represent members and identifying form of relief in relief removal cases (such as defensive Asylum claim or prosecutorial discretion)
Prepare affirmative cases (such as U-Visas/T-Visas, TPS, SIJS, Asylum, Naturalization, and family petitions) before USCIS.
Supervise and provide technical support to DOJ-accredited representative proving legal service to clients applying for affirmative immigration benefits before USCIS
Travel to attend master and individual hearing when necessary
Maintain accurate, complete and confidential case files
Mentor, support, and train CCSM staff on complex immigration matters and the provision of trauma-informed services
Work closely with Co-Executive Director and Community Navigator to provide holistic services and referrals to clients
Strengthen CCSM’s existing Rapid Response work and hotline by providing legal expertise, and at times legal representation when detained
Provide the support and program development needed to host a Justice Corps Fellowship in the near future

20% Administration

Administer legal service systems and track program metrics
Work with grant manager on accurate legal service grant applications
Contribute to managing legal service program budget
Supervise DOJ accredited representatives and/or paralegals
Support strengthening and administering legal service policies

10 % Outreach, Education and External Relations

Inform and provide orientation about defenses against removal proceedings and the court process to community members
Facilitate remote court appearances from CCSM’s office rather than traveling to NYC or Buffalo
Identify and collaborate with local or state partner organizations on appellate and impact-oriented litigation efforts related to detention conditions, labor rights, and other priorities.
Establish and maintain relationships with community partners, immigration service providers, pro bono attorneys, private attorneys and our legal service funders.

Desired Qualifications:

Juris Doctor active NYS bar admission preferred
Highly Preferred: Ability to communicate effectively with monolingual Spanish-speakers (i.e., advanced Spanish skills)
Excellent research, writing, analytical, and communication skills
Minimum of 2 years of relevant experience in immigration law or direct legal services, and experience with both affirmative application and removal defense proceedings
Knowledge and adherence to community and movement lawyering principles
Commitment to CCSM’s mission, immigrant communities, and principles of collective liberation
Valid driver’s license, access to a car, and ability to travel
Relationships with immigrant communities
Directly impacted by or experience with immigration system preferred

This is a full-time position (approximately 40 hours a week) with a starting salary of $62,200. Benefits include health and vision plus dental insurance, mileage reimbursement, paid holidays, and unlimited paid time off with prior approval. This position is eligible to receive relocation benefits. The Immigration Attorney will have access to professional development opportunities. CCSM is an equal opportunity employer and strongly encourages people of color, women, working class people, LGBTQIA people, immigrants, formerly incarcerated people, and people with disabilities to apply.

Food Justice Organizer

CCSM organizes with (im)migrants and allies to collectively support, empower and defend our communities. The Food Justice Organizer will work closely with our Food Justice team, staff, and the Coordinating Committee to grow and strengthen CCSM’s Comida Para La Gente mutual aid food program. From gleaning local farms to distributing food from the regional food bank, the Food Justice Organizer will increase access to fresh and healthy food for CCSM’s members and the broader immigrant/BIPOC community.

CCSM is building a representative staff that contributes to leadership development within our community. We will provide training and mentorship to applicants who we believe would be a strong addition to our team but do not have all of the qualifications below. We collectively develop work portfolios that match individual skill sets and organizational aspirations.

CCSM is an equal opportunity employer and strongly encourages people of color, women, working class people, LGBTQIA people, immigrants, formerly incarcerated people, and people with disabilities to apply. Statistics show that people with marginalized identities often do not apply for positions when they do not meet all qualifications. We encourage you to push past the imposter syndrome and apply anyway.

Checkout CCSM and Comida Para La Gente Food Justice Team at work.

Duties/Responsibilities:

Food Justice Job Responsibilities

Collecting and transporting food from various sources
Packing boxes of various types of food and distributing to local families
Support with cultivating plants and herbs in CCSM’s farming plot
Gleaning local farms and farmers markets
Providing support for food preparation in CCSM’s Mutual Aid Kitchen Support

Organizational Responsibilities

Participate in weekly staff meetings
Participate in monthly Coordinating Committee Meetings
Track work, expenses and mileages with CCSM’s and Food Justice systems

QUALIFICATIONS

Commitment to CCSM’s mission, immigrant communities, and principles of collective liberation
Bilingualism (English / Spanish) preferred
Directly impacted by or experience with immigration system preferred
Ability to lift 40-50 pounds repeatedly
Valid driver’s license, access to a car, and ability to travel
Exceptional relationship skills working directly with people in complex situations
Relationships with immigrant communities / Resident of Columbia or Greene County preferred
Detail oriented
Ability to be flexible with daily tasks
Clear communication skills
Take feedback well and have a learning mindset
General interest in agriculture and food justice work a plus.
Willingness to work outdoors in varying weather conditions.
Willingness to work in both a remote and in-person setting
Willingness to travel for trainings, conferences, and accompaniment occasionally with personal vehicle
Comfortable managing multiple projects independently and with a team
Excellent project and time management skills

Terms of Employment

This is a part-time seasonal position (20 hours a week/ June-November) with a starting hourly wage of $21.63 an hour, with the potential of increasing hours over time. While CCSM does not currently offer healthcare for part-time staff, benefits include a work computer, mileage reimbursement, paid holidays and unlimited paid time off with prior approval.

To Apply:

Please send a cover letter with your interest in the position and relevant experience, resume, and three professional references with emails and phone numbers to sanctuarycolumbiacounty@gmail.com with “Job Application-Food Justice” as the subject line. We will not check references until after an interview.

Your cover letter should answer the following questions:

1. How are you impacted by the immigration system?

2. Why are you interested in this role?

3. What experiences have you had that make you interested in this position? (Your response does NOT need to include formal work experience)

If you need support preparing your resume or cover letter please email sanctuarycolumbiacounty@gmail.com.

Asylum Seeker Food Justice Organizer

CCSM organizes with (im)migrants and allies to collectively support, empower and defend our communities. The Asylum Seeker Food Justice Organizer will work closely with our Food Justice team, staff, and the Coordinating Committee to grow and strengthen CCSM’s Comida Para La Gente mutual aid food program. From gleaning local farms to distributing food from the regional food bank, the Asylum Seeker Food Justice Organizer will increase access to fresh and healthy food for CCSM’s members and the broader immigrant/BIPOC community.

Checkout CCSM and Comida Para La Gente Food Justice Team at work.

Duties/Responsibilities:

Food Justice Job Responsibilities

Supporting creation of effective and dignified food distribution system with asylum seekers
Serve on Capital Region Sanctuary Coalition Food Committee
Collecting and transporting food from the regional food bank and other sources
Coordinating food distribution with various sites where asylum seekers are currently housed
Tracking amount of food distributed to each site
Packing boxes of food of various food for CCSM members and broader immigrant and BIPOC community

Organizational Responsibilities

Participate in weekly staff meetings
Participate in monthly Coordinating Committee Meetings
Track work, expenses and mileages with CCSM’s and Food Justice systems

QUALIFICATIONS

Commitment to CCSM’s mission, immigrant communities, and principles of collective liberation
Bilingualism (English / Spanish) preferred
Ability to lift 40-50 pound boxes of food
Willingness to work in both a remote and in-person setting
Willingness to work flexible hours and travel for trainings, conferences, and accompaniment occasionally with personal vehicle
Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail
Good written and verbal communication skills
Valid driver’s license, access to a car, and ability to travel
Exceptional relational skills working directly with people in complex situations
Relationships with immigrant communities / Resident of NYS Capital Region preferred
Comfortable managing multiple projects independently and with a team
Excellent project and time management skills
Take feedback well and have a learning mindset
Directly impacted by or experience with immigration system preferred

Terms of Employment

This is a part-time position (20 hours a week) with a starting hourly wage of $21.63 an hour, with the potential of increasing hours over time. While CCSM does not currently offer healthcare for part-time staff, benefits include a work computer, mileage reimbursement, paid holidays and unlimited paid time off with prior approval.

To Apply:

Please send a cover letter with your interest in the position and relevant experience, resume, and three professional references with emails and phone numbers to sanctuarycolumbiacounty@gmail.com with “Job Application-Asylum Seeker Food Justice” as the subject line. We will not check references until after an interview.

Your cover letter should answer the following questions:

1. How are you impacted by the immigration system?

2. Why are you interested in this role?

3. What experiences have you had that make you interested in this position? (Your response does NOT need to include formal work experience)

If you need support preparing your resume or cover letter please email sanctuarycolumbiacounty@gmail.com.

Volunteer with CCSM

CCSM was built from the ground-up by members and volunteers. From our coordinating committee to carrying out the important work of our programming, volunteers add essential capacity to our organization. The key areas we are currently seeking volunteers for are pro-bono legal services, translation, web-design, transportation and grassroots fundraising. Please fill out this form to share your skills and passion with CCSM! Email volunteer@sanctuarycolumbiacounty.org with any additional questions.

If you are interested in interning with us for a semester (or more!), please send us an email with the subject "Interning with CCSM".