ABOUT OASIS LEGAL SERVICES

Oasis Legal Services is a non-profit legal services organization based in Berkeley, California. Oasis proudly provides quality legal immigration services to under-represented low-income groups with a focus on LGBTQIA+ communities. Founded in May 2017, Oasis is now one of the country's largest providers of immigration services to the LGBTQIA+ community and serves over 700 clients a year. Oasis specializes in affirmative asylum cases as well as legal permanent residency, citizenship, and family petition applications. In addition to direct representation, Oasis partners with community organizations from around the Bay Area on education and advocacy projects. 

Oasis has a current operating budget of $1.6 million and a 14-plus staff, with additional team members serving as interns and legal fellows. Oasis relies on the contributions of individuals, foundations, and government entities to support our work. 

For more information, please visit https://www.oasislegalservices.org.

OPPORTUNITY HIGHLIGHTS

  • Salary range is $130,000 - $150,000

  • Benefits include medical, dental, and vision coverage. 

  • Retirement plan with 2% employer match starting on year 2 of employment. 

  • Three weeks of paid vacation annually

  • Manage staff of 14 plus

  • Impact the lives of under-represented low-income groups with a focus on LGBTQIA+ communities

POSITION OVERVIEW

Oasis Legal Services (“Oasis”) is seeking an empathic and visionary leader with a background in immigration law, demonstrated success in organizational leadership, fundraising, achievement of strategic goals, partnership development, and fiscal management.

The ideal candidate has previous nonprofit leadership experience as a senior leader or Executive Director; excellent leadership, development, and interpersonal skills; and works well in a fast-paced collaborative environment. The candidate will be a highly visible member of the community while representing the organization at events, with donors, and through coalition-building efforts. The ideal candidate will have a background advancing social justice and must be fully committed to Oasis’ mission and values. Oasis encourages leaders with lived experiences that relate directly or indirectly to the mission of the Oasis to apply.

REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS

Reporting directly to the Board of Directors, the Executive Director (“ED”) supervises the organization’s executive and administrative staff and works with the board and staff to implement the organization's strategic priorities, create impactful relationships with stakeholders, and achieve the mission of the organization.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

  • Lead Oasis Legal Services’ work by actualizing the organizational vision, based on our Mission Statement, in collaboration with staff and board members. 

  • Work with the board and staff to plan strategies for sustainable growth of the programs in alignment with the goals and mission of Oasis.

  • Oversee all contracts and ensure managers, directors and accountants are tracking deliverables correctly. 

  • Work with the Development team to secure the resources necessary to support and sustain Oasis and promote responsible stewardship.

  • Maintain and develop strong relationships with institutional funders, individual donors and supporters, government agencies, collaborators, and other key stakeholders. 

  • Promote a diverse, equitable, inclusive environment and develop strategies to maintain a supportive and collaborative work environment. 

  • Maintain high quality, culturally sensitive, and trauma informed services.

  • Continue to develop and oversee a solid infrastructure of management systems and administrative procedures to ensure smooth operations. 

  • Directly supervise Legal Program Director, Asylum Program Director, Development Director, and Office Manager.

  • In collaboration with the Treasurer of the Board of Directors and Oasis’s accountant, maintain responsible fiscal policies and procedures for the organization. 

  • Keep the Board informed of organizational successes and challenges and manage the Board’s committees (development, fiscal, special projects). 

  • Other duties as they arise.

QUALIFICATIONS

  • At least 5 years at a senior leadership level of a nonprofit organization

  • Deep experience in immigration/asylum law and immigrant rights

  • Demonstrated experience developing, leading, and motivating staff, and collaboration with a Board of Directors - proven track record of achieving goals

  • Exceptional public speaking and communication skills and representing an organization with external stakeholders 

  • Experience managing $1M+ in annual budget, sound judgment in fiscal decision making, and experience developing and reviewing regular budget reports for the Board and Finance Committee (including cash flow and annual budgets)

  • Excellent time-management, priority-setting, and organizational skills

  • Adaptable with the ability to lead effectively through changes to the legal system and legal policies and navigate through unexpected events

  • A demonstrated commitment to the LGBTQIA+ and/or immigrant community

  • Culturally aware and sensitive to the needs of immigrants and asylees, especially those who identify as LGBTQIA+

  • Ability to work effectively with and represent a diverse range of groups, including people who are housing insecure, immigrants, non-English speakers, people with mental disabilities, people experiencing domestic violence, students, service providers, and community partners

  • Bachelor’s degree, with a preference for a postgraduate degree and extensive experience and/or training in immigration law

  • Excellent collaboration skills, and the ability to build meaningful relationships with staff, board, clients, donors, foundations, and partners

  • An understanding and commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion principles and practices

  • Collaborative leadership style, ability to receive feedback and strive for positive reciprocal relationships with staff and board 

  • Outstanding communications skills (written and oral) including ability to articulate complex messaging and make public presentations, when necessary

  • Must have valid work authorization in the United States

  • Must be fully vaccinated against COVID or show proof of an exception under the ADA or for religious reasons

  • Proficient in technology including Google Drive, Zoom, and Microsoft Office

  • Fluency in Spanish or Portuguese is highly desired, but not required

  • Commitment to and passion for the mission of Oasis Legal Services.

SALARY, BENEFITS, & REQUIREMENTS

This is a full-time non-exempt position. Compensation is $130,000 - $150,000 annually. depending on experience. 

Benefits include medical, dental, and vision coverage. 

Retirement plan with 2% employer match starting on year 2 of employment. 

Three weeks of paid vacation annually after a probationary period and two weeks of sick/safe time annually. In addition, the Oasis office closes between Christmas and New Year’s. 

Professional development opportunities available.

Moderate relocation stipend negotiable. 

In keeping with our commitment to equity and equal pay for all, Cook Silverman Search posts salary ranges on all job descriptions.

TO APPLY

To apply for this position, or for additional information on the opportunity, please send a copy of your resume with a cover letter to Victoria Silverman at apply@cooksilverman.com.

All applications and inquiries will receive a response and be kept strictly confidential.

EQUITY STATEMENT

“We strongly encourage individuals from traditionally underrepresented communities, especially the LGBTQIA+ and Latinx communities, to apply. Oasis Legal Services does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religious creed, sex, gender, gender expression, gender identity, age, national origin, ancestry, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, military status, prior contact with the criminal justice system, or any other basis prohibited by law.”