New Mexico Immigrant Law Center (NMILC) is seeking a full-time Paralegal/DOJ Accredited Representative for our Survivor of Crime program.

NMILC is a social justice organization whose mission is to advance equity and justice by empowering low-income immigrant communities through collaborative legal services, advocacy, and education. Each year we provide direct legal representation and assistance in immigration matters to thousands of immigrants and advocate for laws and policies that respect the rights of immigrants. NMILC’s model focuses on establishing relationships with local, state and national organizations and governmental institutions to expand access to legal services for historically marginalized immigrant communities. NMILC’s Survivor of Crime program offers survivorcentered legal services to immigrant survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, trafficking and other crime victims throughout New Mexico.

Job Summary

The Paralegal/DOJ Accredited Representative will be responsible for coordinating immigration legal services and legal case management for survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault and assisting Staff Attorneys with economic advocacy related to the victimization. In addition, the Paralegal/DOJ Accredited Representative will be responsible for developing and maintaining collaborative relationships with victim service providers and responding to all referrals from victim agency staff. The Paralegal/DOJ Accredited Representative will also be responsible for monitoring federal grant program compliance and collaborating with NMILC grant managers to ensure adherence to program guidelines.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Coordinate immigration legal services and case management for survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault referred by the victim service provider partners.
• Respond to all referrals from the victim service provider staff and schedule intakes with immigrant survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault.
• Conduct monthly check in meetings with victim service provider staff liaisons and conduct bi-annual trainings with victim service provider staff.
• Ensure all client information is correctly and timely entered into Legal Server.
• Provide immigration legal assistance support and direct representation (once DOJ Accredited) as needed to survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault, leveraging protections allowed in law through VAWA, U-visas, T-visas, asylum and related forms of relief.
• Conduct an average of 5 consultations a month, maintain a case load of 10-15 active cases, and manage a pending case load of 20-50 client files;
  • Consultation expectations include: timely completion of intake; adherence to intake protocols in Legal Server; record detailed intake notes in Legal Server; promptly follow up on any research or follow up areas and communicate with potential client on status of intake.
  • Direct representation expectations include: Complete case work, filings, and legal research in a timely manner; effectively track open/working cases and pending case related to-dos; maintain accurate case notes and activity logs in LegalServer; return client calls promptly.
  • Pending case expectations include: Maintain complete and accurate client records in
  • physical files and Legal Server such as logging all new activities, receipt of documents, filing, and correspondence in each case file, and maintaining detailed and up-to-date database notes. Maintain contact with clients, log updated contact information, and promptly return calls.
• Complete bi-annual case audit for presentation to and review by Legal Supervisor
• Follow case management documentation protocols in compliance with best practices/legal ethical standards and ensure programmatic compliance with grant requirements, allocations, and reporting
• Manage utilization of interpretation and translation services for project.
• Provide information to survivors about victim rights and victim compensation.
• Responsible for ensuring team’s program compliance with 1-2 federal grants and collaborating with with Grants Manager, Legal Program Manager and Deputy Director to ensure compliance with grant requirements and reporting.
• Ensure all Time and Attendance Reports are accurate, adhere to program and grant funding guidelines, and timely completed.

Qualifications

• Paralegal experience desired. Candidates with current or former DOJ Accreditation or previous experience working in an immigration law office are highly desired;
• Bi-lingual Spanish and English;
• Demonstrated commitment to immigrant rights and willingness to support NMILC’s mission, vision and values, which can be found at www.nmilc.org/values;
• Experience with immigration law (particularly in VAWA, U-visas and T-visa) and prior experience working with survivors of domestic violence or sexual assault preferred.
• Prior experience managing high volume case load preferred;
• Strong attention to detail and ability to follow, enforce, and strictly adhere to government grant procedures and timekeeping requirements;
• Excellent customer service and strong follow through in communication with clients, colleagues, and community partners;
• Strong sense of personal initiative and ability to manage and prioritize effectively multiple tasks without extensive supervision;
• A demonstrated commitment to public interest work, immigrant rights, social justice issues, and working with survivors of crimes;
• The ability to provide trauma-informed and culturally competent legal assistance to crime survivors;
• Team player; the ability to work collaboratively with different program staff and partner organizations to further develop community relationships and facilitate holistic and wraparound services.

Environment

NMILC is an equal opportunity employer. We welcome people from a diverse set of experiences. NMILC is a progressive organization and applicants are expected to collaborate in an inclusive and diverse environment. We are a group of highly dedicated and motivated individuals seeking transformative change for our state and welcome anyone who is interested in being part of our team.

Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, NMILC’s staff is largely working remotely. This position is usually based out of our Albuquerque office. If the successful candidate is hired while NMILC’s staff is still remote, we will work with that candidate to ensure that they have the tools, equipment, and digital onboarding to be successfully integrated into our remote work environment. After the Pandemic, the staff will be expected to travel frequently to partner organizations throughout New Mexico.

Salary and Benefits

Competitive non-profit salary. Excellent benefits provided, including full health insurance coverage, dental and vision, and generous paid holidays, vacation and sick leave.

To Apply

Please submit your: a) resume; and b) cover letter describing how your lived or work experience would make you a good fit for this role to jobs@nmilc.org. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until the position is filled.