Legal Assistant, Immigrant Rights Program (Red Bank)

$52,929 - $71,452/Yr

American Friends Service Committee - Red Bank, NJ

Full-time - Entry Level

Red Bank, NJ

Sporting Goods, Hobby, Musical Instrument, Book, and Miscellaneous Retailers

About the position

The American Friends Service Committee (AFSC) is seeking a full-time Legal Assistant for its Immigrant Rights Program based in Red Bank, NJ. This position is specifically designed to support low-income immigrants, including survivors of domestic violence and other crimes, by providing essential immigration legal services. The Legal Assistant will work under the direction of the Managing Attorney and will be responsible for maintaining a client caseload, preparing forms, applications, and letters to be submitted to the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). The role is crucial in ensuring that immigrants receive the legal representation and support they need to navigate the complexities of immigration law. The Legal Assistant will conduct consultations with community members to assess their eligibility for various immigration benefits, focusing on family-based immigration, VAWA (Violence Against Women Act) and U-visas, adjustment of status, and naturalization applications. This position requires the completion of applications using Docketwise forms and a case management system, as well as managing client files and maintaining up-to-date information on casework. The Legal Assistant will also respond to hotline calls from community members, compile quarterly narrative and statistical data regarding case consultations, and assist in the documentation of the project’s experiences for reporting to funding sources. In addition to these responsibilities, the Legal Assistant will coordinate pro se community workshops, translate documents from Spanish to English, and participate in advocacy efforts aimed at effecting changes in immigration law and policy. The role also includes attending periodic immigration law training sessions and providing information on immigration laws and policies to community members. This position is a unique opportunity to contribute to the mission of the AFSC and to make a meaningful impact in the lives of immigrants in the community.

Responsibilities

• Conduct consultations with community members to determine eligibility for various immigration benefits, focusing on family-based immigration, VAWA, and U-visas.
• Complete applications using Docketwise forms and case management system and submit to USCIS.
• Conduct bi-monthly consultations with referred community members at the Monmouth County Family Justice Center.
• Manage caseload and maintain client files in good working order, including maintaining up-to-date information on casework in our case management system.
• Respond to calls from community members who call our hotline and direct them to available services and resources.
• Compile quarterly narrative and statistical data regarding case consultation and case representation.
• Assist in the documentation of the project's experiences and in the preparation of AFSC quarterly reports and proposals to funding sources.
• Assist in the coordination of pro se community workshops.
• Translate documents from Spanish to English.
• Participate in AFSC staff meetings and case consultations.
• Attend periodic immigration law training sessions and participate in in-person and virtual trainings to provide information on immigration laws and policies to community members.
• Participate in advocacy efforts to effect changes in immigration law and policy.
• Support administrative needs including sending out mail, checking and responding to voice mail messages, and ensuring maintenance of office equipment.

Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree or equivalent education/training.
• Experience in immigration law, specifically with VAWA, U visas, and battered spouse waivers preferred.
• Demonstrated commitment to social justice and interest in immigrant rights.
• Ability to take initiative, exercise sound judgment, and be highly organized and detail-oriented.
• Strong time-management skills.
• Fluency in written and oral English and Spanish.
• Demonstrated success working with vulnerable populations.
• Strong written and oral communication skills including public speaking.
• Self-motivated, detail-oriented, well-organized, and able to prioritize assignments and workload.
• Ability to communicate effectively and build mutually respectful relationships with co-workers, clients, and the community.
• Familiarity with software applications in a Windows environment, including Microsoft Word, Excel, and Docketwise.

Nice-to-haves

• Commitment to Quaker values and testimonies.
• Understanding of and compatibility with the principles and philosophy of the American Friends Service Committee including non-violence and the belief in the intrinsic worth of every individual.
• Understanding of and commitment to the principles, concerns, and considerations of AFSC regarding issues of race, class, nationality, religion, age, gender and sexual orientation, and disabilities.
• Demonstrated ability to work and communicate with diverse staff.

Benefits

• Comprehensive medical and hospitalization plan
• Term life, accident and salary continuation insurances
• Defined benefit pension plan
• Participation in unemployment and worker's compensation and social security