Paralegal – Immigration
Location: Washington, DC
Salary: $53,040 - $66,000
ORGANIZATIONAL PROFILE
Ayuda is a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to providing direct legal, social and language access services, education, and outreach to low-income immigrants in the Washington, DC metropolitan area. Since 1973, Ayuda has provided critical services on a wide range of issues, in the process acquiring nationally recognized expertise in several fields including immigration law, language access, domestic violence and human trafficking. Ayuda has office locations in Washington, DC, Silver Spring, MD and Fairfax, VA.
WHY YOU WANT THIS JOB?
Because, just like everyone at Ayuda, you believe:
- In seeing communities where all immigrants succeed and thrive in the United States.
- In the overall success of our organization and all our programs.
- That families should be healthy and safe from harm.
- That all people should have access to professional, honest, and ethical services, regardless of ability to pay or status in this country.
- That diversity and equality make this country better.
WHAT WILL THIS JOB ENTAIL?
- Screen potential clients for eligibility for Ayuda’s services, under the supervision of attorneys, for eligibility for Ayuda services, or other immigration programs, including providing emergency assessments for survivors of trauma and, where appropriate, referrals.
- Assist attorneys in representing clients seeking immigration relief, including:
- Meet with clients to prepare declarations, forms, and other evidence under attorney supervision.
- Develop expertise with Ayuda's case management system, LegalServer, and assist with grant reports as well as training new staff members on using the system consistent with Ayuda's policies and procedures.
- When requested, accompany clients for critical appointments and appearances that do not require an attorney.
- Draft demand letters, UPL complaints, and other consumer complaints under attorney supervision.
- Work with organizational partners to arrange dates and locations for educational outreach, presentations concerning legal services provided by Ayuda.
- Coordinate efforts between attorneys and pro bono partners, communicating with local nonprofits regarding emerging needs, and maintaining data and case stories needed for grant deliverables.
- Support coordination of legal clinics with community partners. This may include requesting interpreters, preparing, and organizing clinic materials, maintaining lists of volunteers, and responding to volunteer inquiries, coordinating with staff, recruiting volunteer attorneys, liaising with host sites, and providing informational presentations at clinics for attorney and/or client audiences.
- Staff regular remote or walk-in clinics by conducting telephonic intakes, greeting clients, explaining clinic procedures, maintaining clinic flow, training, and supervising non-attorney volunteers, and processing completed client interview packets. These clinics may be held in the evening or on weekends.
- Conduct intakes with clients referred to the pro bono program and assist with follow-up for additional screening as necessary.
- Assist in regular reporting of pro bono and immigration team activities using Legal Server and Excel.
- Ensure efficient placement of pro bono cases and adequate follow-up through regular communication with clients and pro bono partners.
- Provide other administrative/paralegal support as assigned.
HOW DO YOU KNOW IF YOU CAN DO THIS JOB?
Eligibility: Must be legally able to work in the United States and maintain proper work authorization throughout employment. Must be able to meet the physical requirements of the position presented in a general office environment. Satisfactory results from a background check to include criminal history and a search of the employee’s name against a national registry of sex offenders.
Education/Experience/Skills:
- Experience working with low-income immigrants, even on a volunteer basis, required.
- One year of experience working as a legal assistant or paralegal at an immigration legal services provider serving low-income immigrants preferred.
- Desire to work with interdisciplinary team in representing the best interest of the client.
- Fluency in written and spoken English and Spanish.
- Ability to travel to Ayuda offices in DC, as well as the ability to meet with arriving migrants at respite centers or shelters, as needed.
- Demonstrated sensitivity to and knowledge of issues involved in working with diverse populations, including survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking.
- Excellent written and verbal communications skills.
- Ability to work independently and as part of a diverse multidisciplinary team.
- Professionalism with both internal and external customers.
- Professional demeanor, strong work ethic, discrete, resources, and ability to maintain confidentiality.
- Ability to communicate with a variety of people, both internal and external.
- Ability to work in a fast-paced environment.
- Detail-oriented.
- Excellent time management skills.
- Ability to meet assigned deadlines.
- Ability to adapt to changing priorities.
- Excellent customer service skills.
- Proven problem-solving skills with ability to analyze situations, identify existing or potential problems, and recommend solutions.
- Strong analytical skills.
- Strong multi-tasking abilities.
- Strong ethics and sound judgment.
- Decisive, with ability to exercise independent judgment.
- Ability to maintain and contribute to a positive team environment.
- Basic understanding of U Visas, T Visas, Adjustment of Status, Asylum, and/or SIJS preferred.
- Ability to work independently but also familiarity with the prohibition on unauthorized practice of law and knowledge of when to seek attorney assistance.
- Comfort with public speaking.
- Proficient in Microsoft Office.
