Posting updated on 12/2/2024

About Texas Immigration Law Council

Texas Immigration Law Council (TxILC) is a statewide nonprofit organization advancing immigrant and refugee rights through innovative legal strategies, advocacy, and systemic change.

We are launching a groundbreaking Economic Justice Initiative (EJI) that will fundamentally reshape how legal services reach noncitizen communities. EJI will mobilize a legal field team of 30 attorneys and non-attorneys to legal service organizations throughout Texas working in 2-year fellowship projects. EJI partners with Equal Justice Works to bring on three talented Fellows to join TxILC as they train and support the EJI team in the field. EJI goes beyond traditional direct representation because it will be among the first to implement Texas’s new licensed legal paraprofessional program. Through a combination of direct representation, new service delivery models, and technological solutions, we will help close the access to justice gap for noncitizens in Texas.

About Equal Justice Works

Equal Justice Works is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and is the nation’s largest facilitator of opportunities in public interest law. Equal Justice Works brings together an extensive network of law students, lawyers, community organizers, legal services organizations, and supporters to promote a lifelong commitment to public service and equal justice. The organization believes that a community of lawyers committed to public service can fulfill our nation’s promise of equal justice for all. Following their Fellowships, more than 85% of Equal Justice Works Fellows remain in public service positions, continuing to pursue equal justice for underserved communities.

Job Summary

The Equal Justice Works Fellow – Partnership and Education Coordinator will play a vital role in integrating Community Justice Workers (CJWs) into Texas’s civil legal services landscape. CJWs are nonattorney legal advocates, some of whom will become licensed under new Supreme Court of Texas rules. This position will focus on building and sustaining partnerships with community-based organizations across Texas to expand the reach and impact of the CJW model in civil legal services. The Fellow will work closely with the EJI legal field team and host organizations to identify partnership opportunities, develop CJW programs within community organizations, develop shareable materials, and advance efforts to strengthen the role of legal paraprofessionals in addressing access to justice challenges.

This Fellow will serve as a bridge between legal service providers and community organizations, helping to identify and cultivate opportunities for collaboration while ensuring that CJW programs are responsive to community needs and culturally appropriate. The position will also support stakeholder education about the value of legal paraprofessionals in expanding access to justice.

As with our TxILC staff positions, this position is remote and can be performed from anywhere in Texas. Travel within Texas is required.

The Fellow will be supervised by the EJI Director and will work closely in collaboration with the EJI Managing Attorneys and other members of the team. This position will be an Equal Justice Works Fellow and will participate in activities to enhance involvement in the Fellowship Program and further the mission of Equal Justice Works.

Fellowship start date is flexible, from January 1 – April 1, 2025.

The ideal candidate will be someone who has the relevant skills and experience, and who has worked with multicultural and multilingual communities. The candidate should be flexible and creative and have a passion for collaboration and innovation

Key Responsibilities

• Identify, assess, and cultivate partnerships with community organizations across Texas to implement CJW programs.
• Create frameworks, materials, and best practices for successful CJW program implementation at partner organizations.
• Support the EJI legal field team in developing community partnerships and establishing CJW programs in their service areas.
• Design resources and tools for organizations to recruit, train, and support CJWs within their communities.
• Facilitate knowledge sharing and peer learning between established and new CJW program sites. 
• Provide technical assistance to organizations implementing CJW programs, including referral guidelines and program evaluation.
• Develop and deliver educational programs about the CJW model for community organizations.
• Track program implementation, document successful models, and contribute to grant reporting requirements.
• Contribute to advocacy efforts promoting the acceptance and utilization of legal paraprofessionals.
• Actively contribute to and participate in Equal Justice Works Fellowship program activities (resource exchanges; webinars, peer-to-peer learning, and conference calls; and training events, including Equal Justice Works Leadership Development Training).
• Contribute to required programmatic reporting and overall program evaluation.

Qualifications

• Must be located in Texas.
• Bachelors degree or equivalent, required.
• Masters degree or JD, preferred.
• Strong communication, training and coaching skills.
• Experience building and maintaining partnerships with community organizations, preferably in immigrant-serving or legal services settings.
• Strong project management skills with ability to develop and implement new programs or initiatives.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills, with ability to create clear educational materials and deliver effective trainings.
• Experience working with nonprofit organizations, community advocates, and legal and social professionals preferred.
• Understanding of or experience in the legal service industry preferred.
• Understanding of adult learning principles and experience in development of training programs preferred.
• Ability to work with people of varying viewpoints in a non-partisan manner.
• Ability to respect and engage with diverse people, perspectives, and values, with the recognition that inclusive collaboration leads to stronger outcomes. 
• Personal interest, passion and commitment to leadership development of grassroots leaders and engaging new communities in social justice work.

Compensation & Benefits 

This two-year fellowship offers a competitive salary with a range between $85,000-105,000, commensurate with experience, education, and training. Texas Immigration Law Council’s benefits and salaries are designed to support the needs of all employees and fellows, including outstanding insurance coverage, generous time-off policies, flexible work hours, 401k, and ample professional growth opportunities.

To Apply:

Please submit a cover letter, a resume, and a list of at least three professional references to fellows@txilc.org. Subject line should indicate: “EJW Partnership Fellow.” Please share how you heard about the position. Applications will be considered on a rolling basis until filled. Please apply by January 15 for priority consideration.

The Texas Immigration Law Council does not discriminate against any person based on actual or perceived race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, age, ability, gender, marital status, veteran status, sexual orientation, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws. Applicants committed to equity from all backgrounds, experiences, abilities, and identities, including those from underrepresented communities are encouraged to apply.