Tennessee Immigrant and Refugee Rights Coalition

Community Defense Coordinator

Tennessee Immigrant and Refugee Rights Coalition

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Job Summary

About TIRRC
The Tennessee Immigrant and Refugee Rights Coalition (TIRRC) is a statewide, immigrant and refugee-led collaboration. Our mission is to build power, amplify our voices, and organize communities to advocate for our rights. Our vision is a stronger, more inclusive Tennessee where people of all nationalities, immigration statuses, and racial identities can belong and thrive. TIRRC’s growing legal team engages in community legal education, direct representation, and advocacy to protect the rights of immigrant community members and support the power-building mission of the organization.  

Tennessee Immigrant and Refugee Rights Coalition is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, sex, national origin, age, disability, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, military or veteran status, marital status, or parental status. Immigrants, refugees, and people of color are strongly encouraged to apply. 

Position Description

TIRRC seeks a dedicated Community Defense Coordinator to develop relationships with partners at the intersection of the criminal legal system and immigration enforcement as well as community members to engage in organizing and education. Through monitoring and understanding the ways in which the criminal legal system and immigration enforcement interact and how this entanglement impacts our communities around the state, the Community Defense Coordinator will help TIRRC and partners shape and execute strategies for protecting immigrant community members and lay the groundwork for robust community organizing.

Job Responsibilities

  • Cultivate and maintain relationships with potential partners and stakeholders, including local public defenders, legal aid organizations, immigrant-serving groups, and organizations working in the criminal legal system space, to deploy community outreach and education;
  • Monitor involvement between local law enforcement and federal immigration agents including court watching (particularly on days when court interpreters are present and immigrant community members’ cases are likely on the docket) and connect with immigrant community members to identify the issues and barriers they’re facing;
  • Provide community outreach and education through sessions, workshops, and materials to ensure communities know their rights; 
  • Address inquiries about TIRRC’s community organizing from partners, community members, and participants;
  • Collaborate with the legal and organizing teams to help shape and execute strategies for protecting immigrant community members;
  • Create and maintain accurate data and reporting systems to monitor community issues and trends;
  • All TIRRC staff are expected to participate in and help support certain organization-wide training and events, such as Day on the Hill, staff retreat, the Membership Convention, and other training as necessary.

Job responsibilities include but are not limited to those listed above. As with every position at TIRRC, every person in the organization will assist their colleagues to ensure a cooperative environment and respond to the needs of the moment. This job description will be reviewed periodically as duties and responsibilities change with business necessity. Essential and marginal job functions are subject to modification. Nothing in this job description restricts management’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.

Qualifications

  • Belief in TIRRC’s mission and experience with social justice;
  • Knowledge of and experience with Middle Tennesee’s immigrant and refugee communities preferred;
  • Ability to be very organized, work on deadlines, and juggle multiple priorities;
  • Ability to work sensitively with community members who have diverse identities, cultures, and faith traditions;
  • Availability to work flexible hours, including some nights and weekends;
  • Availability to travel statewide, including day and overnight trips;
  • Fluency in English is required and fluency or working proficiency in another language spoken by TIRRC’s constituencies is preferred;
  • Must have reliable transportation. 

Additional Information

Benefits

Salary Range: $46,000-$51,000

Benefits: Full-time TIRRC employees are eligible to receive medical, dental, and vision insurance with 100% of the medical employee premium covered by TIRRC, participate in a 401K retirement plan, and receive 24/7 access to an Employee Assistance Program. In addition, TIRRC provides paid leave including up to 15 vacation days, 13 paid holidays, and 3 weeks of paid sick leave in an employee’s first year and 6 weeks of paid parental leave.

How to Apply

To apply for this position, please send a cover letter and resume to jobs@tnimmigrant.org

Details

  • Date Posted: August 3, 2024
  • Type: Full-Time
  • Job Function: Educator
  • Service Area: Community Development
  • Salary Range: $46,000-$51,000