• Immigration Legal Assistant

    International Rescue Committee (San Diego, CA)


    Requisition ID: req59086

     

    Job Title: Immigration Legal Assistant

     

    Sector: Legal

     

    Employment Category: Fixed Term

     

    Employment Type: Full-Time

     

    Compensation: USD 25.46 - 25.46 Hourly

     

    Work Arrangement:In-person

    Job Description

    Job Overview:

    IRC's immigration legal services program serves more than 14,000 individuals in 23 sites throughout the U.S. each year, providing accessible and critical legal representation and advice to immigrants and their families in order to acquire the highest level of immigration status available, keep families together, access their full rights, and successfully integrate in the U.S.

     

    The position supports legal practitioners (attorneys and/or Department of Justice (DOJ) accredited representatives) in representing clients before United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and conducting community-based naturalization workshops. Legal services focus on naturalization, adjustment of status, DACA, and family reunification

    Major Responsibilities:

    + Under the supervision of the Program Manager, provide clients with information about immigration benefits available through USCIS, work with clients to gather documents, and assist clients to complete applications.

    + Respond to inquiries from clients regarding case status and submit inquiries on case status to USCIS and/or Department of State (DOS).

    + Process correspondence from USCIS and DOS, including notifying clients, assisting clients to prepare responses to notices or evidence requests as appropriate, and following up with relevant parties.

    + Maintain accurate and up-to-date physical and electronic files and detailed case notes, enter required data in a timely manner, meet all case reporting requirements within established timelines and standards, and assist in the completion of statistical, narrative, and financial reports.

    + Represent the IRC with clients, community members, and partners by receiving and returning phone calls and emails, scheduling appointments, supporting events (including group processing events), and conducting outreach for legal services.

    + Maintain strict client confidentiality and observe all other ethical practices/obligations as outlined in IRC’s Immigration Program Policies Manual.

    + Depending on the needs of the program and budget availability, and upon review of the Legal Services Technical Unit, legal supervisor, and Executive Director, may pursue Department of Justice accreditation by successfully completing all vital training.

    + Other duties as assigned.

    Job Requirements:

    + Bachelor’s degree or relevant work experience

    + Demonstrated success working and communicating effectively in a multi-cultural environment and with Limited English Proficient populations.

    + Able to work effectively in a team environment, as well as take independent initiative

    + Excellent attention to detail and strong organizational skills

    + Proficient in Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, Outlook) and comfortable utilizing online software and programs.

    + Excellent communication skills with proficiency in written and spoken English.

    + Proficiency inPashto and Dari is required.

    + Demonstrated dedication to immigrant rights, social justice, and/or human rights based on work experience, volunteer service, or educational activities.

    Preferred experience & skills:

    + Previous experience with immigration legal or social services is strongly preferred.

    + Familiarity with immigration software and experience with data entry and management are a plus.

    + Community-based outreach and/or work promoting immigrant rights experience is preferred.

    Working Environment:

    + Standard, professional office environment, including the current hybrid mode of remote work within San Diego County and required in-office days and some 'field' time within the service delivery area to perform the above-outlined responsibilities. Office working environment is subject to change based on organization/business needs.

    + Requires work at both City Heights and El Cajon offices.

    + May require occasional work during evenings or weekends.

    + San Diego Office hours are scheduled Monday-Friday, 8:30 am-5 pm.

     

    Compensation:Posted pay ranges apply to US-based candidates. Ranges are based on various factors including the labor market, job type, internal equity, and budget. Exact offers are calibrated by work location, individual candidate experience and skills relative to the defined job requirements.

     

    Equal Opportunity Employer:IRC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. IRC considers all applicants on the basis of merit without regard to race, sex, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, disability or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

     

    US Benefits:We offer a comprehensive and highly competitive set of benefits. In the US, these include: 10 sick days, 10 US holidays, 20-25 paid time off days depending on role and tenure, medical insurance starting at $143 per month, dental starting at $6.50 per month, and vision starting at $5 per month, FSA for healthcare and commuter costs, a 403b retirement savings plans with immediately vested matching, disability & life insurance, and an Employee Assistance Program which is available to our staff and their families to support counseling and care in times of crisis and mental health struggles