Detention Fellow

Closing Date: 4th June, 2026

Description:

Posting Summary
Rutgers University- Newark (RU-N), an urban public research university and anchor institution, located in Newark, New Jersey, a city of promise, is seeking a Detention Fellow. The Rutgers Immigrant Rights Clinic (IRC) seeks to hire a full-time Detention Fellow to work on a project funded by the State of New Jersey to provide free counsel to low-income individuals who are detained and facing deportation in New Jersey before the immigration courts, Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA), and the federal courts. The Detention Fellows will work within a team of other staff attorneys and a paralegal at IRC. The Detention Fellows will also coordinate with clinical and nonclinical law students working with IRC. We anticipate that this will be a 2-year fellowship

This position is responsible for and not limited to the following:

• Representation of detained and non detained immigrants
• Coordination of clinical and non-clinical law students
• Data reporting and grant related advocacy and tasks

This position is contingent on the continuation of external funding.
FLSA: Exempt
Salary Details: $55,000 - $70,000
Benefits:
Rutgers provides a comprehensive benefits package to eligible employees. The specific benefits vary based on the position and may include:

• Medical, prescription drug, and dental coverage
• Paid vacation, holidays, and various leave programs
• Competitive retirement benefits, including defined contribution plans and voluntary tax-deferred savings options
• Employee and dependent educational benefits (when applicable)
• Life insurance coverage
• Employee discount programs

Work Arrangement
Consistent with the current application of Rutgers Policy 60.3.22, this position may be eligible for a hybrid work arrangement. The flexible work arrangements outlined in Rutgers Policy 60.3.22 are part of a pilot program that is effective September 1, 2022 through August 31, 2024. Therefore, there is no guarantee that this flexible work arrangement will continue beyond that date. Flexible work arrangements are not permanent, are subject to change or cancellation and contingent on the employee receiving approval in the FlexWork@RU Application System. Additional information may be found at https://futureofwork.rutgers.edu.
Terms of Appointment Temporary Staff Appointment - Salaried 12 Month
Minimum Education and Experience:

• Requires a bachelor's degree in a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and/or experience.
• Requires a minimum of three to five years of relevant professional experience in an administrative and/or supervisory function, excellent communication skills, and computer literacy.
• OR -
• Requires a bachelor's degree or an equivalent combination of education/experience in the discipline. A master's degree in a specialized discipline may be required, particularly in research, project management or managerial positions.
• Requires a minimum of five years experience and/or increasing functional responsibility in a leadership/managerial role. With a master's degree requirement, a minimum of three years of related experience is acceptable.
• Excellent communication skills and computer literacy.
• Certifications/Licenses

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• The Detention Fellow will be a recent law graduate with a J.D. degree. Although the Detention Fellow need not be admitted to a state bar when the fellowship begins, the Detention Fellow should plan to be admitted to the bar soon after the fellowship begins.
• Fluency in another language, in particular Spanish, is strongly preferred.

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