Back Immigration Legal Assistant

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world’s worst humanitarian crises, helping to restore health, safety, education, economic wellbeing, and power to people devastated by conflict and disaster. Founded in 1933 at the call of Albert Einstein, the IRC is one of the world's largest international humanitarian non-governmental organizations (INGO), at work in more than 50 countries and more than 25 U.S. cities helping people to survive, reclaim control of their future and strengthen their communities. A force for humanity, IRC employees deliver lasting impact by restoring safety, dignity and hope to millions. If you're a solutions-driven, passionate change-maker, come join us in positively impacting the lives of millions of people world-wide for a better future.

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), the Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR), and conducting community-based orientations and workshops.. Legal services focus on naturalization, adjustment of status family reunification, family-based immigrant petitions and humanitarian-based immigration relief

Major Responsibilities:

• Under the supervision of a licensed or accredited legal practitioner 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.

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 is required.

• Proficiency in Spanish or Dari strongly preferred.

• 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 office environment with occasional opportunities to participate in community outreach and legal assistance events.

• May require occasional weekend and/or evening work.

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.

US Benefits:

The IRC offers a comprehensive and highly competitive set of benefits. All US employees are eligible for sick time, a 403b retirement savings plans: up to 4.5% immediately vested matching contribution, plus an 3-7% additional IRC contribution, and an Employee Assistance Program which is available to our staff and their families to support in times of crisis and mental health struggles.

In addition, full-time employees are eligible for 10 US paid holidays, 20-25 paid time off days, disability & life insurance, medical, dental, and vision insurance (employee contribution starting at $135, $7, and $5 per month respectively) and FSA for healthcare, childcare, and commuter costs. Part-time employees are eligible for a proportionate amount of paid time off. These additional benefits apply to employees who work at least 6 months within a 12 month time period.

Standard of Professional Conduct: The IRC and the IRC workers must adhere to the values and principles outlined in the IRC Way – our Code of Conduct. These are Integrity, Service, Accountability, and Equality.

Commitment to Gender, Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion: The IRC is committed to creating a diverse, inclusive, respectful, and safe work environment where all persons are treated fairly, with dignity and respect. The IRC expressly prohibits and will not tolerate discrimination, harassment, retaliation, or bullying of the IRC persons in any work setting. We aim to increase the representation of women, people that are from country and communities we serve, and people who identify as races and ethnicities that are under-represented in global power structures.