Children's Legal Services - 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 40 countries and 29 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.

IRC Background: IRC Dallas is committed to providing trauma-informed, equitable, and accessible services and maintaining and evolving a diverse, inclusive, and supportive workplace.

JOB OVERVIEW: IRC Dallas seeks a bilingual Legal Assistant to join a new legal services program that will provide legal representation to unaccompanied children who are in custody or have been released from custody of the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. The Legal Assistant will support the Children’s Legal Services team to conduct intakes that identify immigration relief options such as asylum, special immigrant juvenile status, or other forms of humanitarian relief, and assist with preparing and filing immigration applications and petitions. The bilingual Legal Assistant will have stellar interpersonal and trauma-informed listening skills, be highly organized and have excellent attention to detail, and be able to work both in a collaborative team environment and independently on assignments.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Coordinate case referrals and facilitate initial client meetings with attorneys, set up new case files (both electronic and physical files), and input data in relevant case management systems to ensure accurate and timely tracking of cases;
• Assist in conducting intakes or follow-up meetings with unaccompanied child clients, gathering supporting documents, and preparing translations;
• Conduct visits with clients at the ORR shelter, LTFC facility, URM facilities, or Administrative Placement facilities in the Dallas-Fort Worth area to facilitate legal case preparation;
• Assist in preparing filings for State Court, Immigration Court, Asylum Office, and USCIS;
• Prepare affidavits, legal correspondence, and other supporting documents for the Staff Attorney, Managing Attorney, and other legal staff to advance the client’s legal immigration case;
• Provide interpretation for clients at USCIS interviews or State Court, as needed;
• Travel to State Court or Immigration Court within the Dallas-Fort Worth area as needed for filings or case preparation;
• Coordinate with other IRC program staff to provide wrap-around services, where appropriate, and prepare referral packages for children who move out of local jurisdiction;
• Support development of partnerships that have potential to bring valuable supports to clients;
• Communicate with clients to provide case status updates as directed by the attorney, request documents and other information, schedule appointments, and manage other communication as needed;
• Translate documents from Spanish to English;
• Track deadlines for the Children’s Legal Services team and prepare monthly reports;
• Process and record daily mail; assist with monthly data reporting submissions; prepare monthly invoicing documentation; track deadlines for the Children’s Legal Services team; and prepare monthly reports as needed; and
• Other duties as assigned to support the Children's Legal Services program.

Job Requirements:

• An undergraduate degree or equivalent work experience in the legal field;
• Fluency in both Spanish and English required;
• Experience in a legal setting highly desirable, but not required;
• Experience working with children highly desirable, but not required;
• Excellent attention to detail, ability to multi-task, and comfort working in a fast-paced environment;
• Demonstrated ability to work independently, solve problems and exercise sound judgement;
  
  • Evidence of capacity to be a strong team member in a highly collaborative social service environment;
  • Deep commitment to working with immigrants, children, asylum seekers;
  • Trauma-informed and sensitive listening and communication skills;
  • Personal integrity in handling ethically complex and confidential situations;
  • Commitment to anti-racism and ongoing learning; and
  • Strong computer literacy, research, and analysis skills.
  • Ability and willingness to travel frequently in and around the service area to attend hearings and interviews and engage with clients and community partners.

Working Environment:

• Standard office environment with occasional participation in community outreach and legal assistance events; hybrid, flexible work options available.
• May require occasional weekend and/or evening work.

Compensation: ( Pay Range: $22 - $33 ) 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.

PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS

All International Rescue Committee workers must adhere to the core values and principles outlined in IRC Way - Standards for Professional Conduct . Our Standards are Integrity, Service, Equality and Accountability. In accordance with these values, the IRC operates and enforces policies on Safeguarding , Conflicts of Interest, Fiscal Integrity, and Reporting Wrongdoing and Protection from Retaliation. IRC is committed to take all necessary preventive measures and create an environment where people feel safe, and to take all necessary actions and corrective measures when harm occurs. IRC builds teams of professionals who promote critical reflection, power sharing, debate, and objectivity to deliver the best possible services to our clients.

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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.

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.