Paralegal - RIS
Summary
The Catholic Legal Immigration Network, Inc. (CLINIC), a nonprofit legal services organization, has an immediate full-time opening for a Paralegal. This position performs administrative support and coordination for attorneys in the Religious Immigration Services (RIS) Section. The main functions include administrative support to the assigned Staff Attorneys, performing all administrative functions as directed, primarily related to the attorney’s caseload and case preparation. The paralegal must be extremely organized and meticulous.
The candidate will work alongside a team of experienced immigration attorneys and professionals. Will prepare and file petitions using LawLogix. Experience in preparing immigration petitions, applications, and visas is essential. The candidate should have 1 to 3 years of experience with a focus on employment-based immigration law. Must have knowledge of how to prepare, and file petitions, and case management experience using an immigration case management database system, preferably LawLogix. Experience with data entry, MS word, and MS excel also required.
Primary Responsibilities
- Assist the attorney with the preparation of religious worker cases to be filed with USCIS, the Department of State, or the Administrative Appeals Office
- Assist the attorney with the management of client cases and files
- Assist the attorney with updating and maintaining client data, including “immigration” information, in Case Management Software (CMS)
- Assist with the preparation of petitions, applications, sponsor letters, instructions letters, etc. and compile exhibits and other supporting documentary evidence in a timely manner for attorney review
- Communicate with clients to obtain information and necessary documentation for case preparation
- Ensure proper organization and filing of client documents after case is prepared per attorney instructions
- Send completed case work to clients and file cases with USCIS and U.S. Consulates per attorney instructions
- Review client information in CMS when new client cases are retained
- Assist attorney with beginning new cases and processes in CMS
- Notify clients of case processing and updates per attorney instructions
- Ensure proper recordkeeping of immigration documents in client files
- Keep attorney fully informed of client communications and updates
- Act as a member of the Section’s convening team
- Perform all administrative duties as required by the attorney, primarily related to his/her caseload and case preparation
- Protect client's confidential information
- Required to come to the office to process mail (USCIS Notices) and finalized packets.
- Willing to understand, respect and contribute to CLINIC’s vision, values, and belief
- Fulfill CLINIC’s expectations that all staff:
- Serve with integrity
- Develop innovative solutions
- Promote learning – for themselves, for their colleagues, and for our network
- Cultivate constructive relationships
- Model stewardship
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
- Associate’s degree or Bachelors preferred
- One to three years of administrative or legal work experience
- One to three years of immigration law experience
- Working knowledge of Microsoft Office Word, Excel, PowerPoint
- Proven data management experience
- Experience using online Case Management Software
- Able to successfully handle problems and challenges while exercising tact and courtesy
- Experience performing internet research
- Ability to manage multiple projects, priorities, and deadlines
- Attention to detail and adherence to directions
- Strong verbal and written communication skills
- Strong internal and external relationship building and service skills
- Ability to work independently as well as part of a team
Work Environment
- This position may require extended periods of standing, sitting, as well as some repetitive movements, bending and repetitive lifting of significant weight.
- Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the key components and primary responsibilities.
- The work location is currently a combination of remote and in-office positions.
Salary Benefits
Salary is commensurate with experience. Benefits include health, dental, vision, and life insurance, retirement plan, and generous leave benefits. CLINIC is an Equal Opportunity Employer; women, minorities, and immigrants are encouraged to apply.
Application
Please submit RESUME and COVER LETTER Resumes sent without cover letters will not be reviewed. Applicants should submit a resume, cover letter, and salary requirements to careers@cliniclegal.org. Visit our webpage at www.cliniclegal.org to review other job openings. Only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.
Equal Employment Opportunity and Diversity Commitment
CLINIC considers all applicants for employment without regard to race, color, ancestry, national origin, sex, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, marital status, family responsibilities, religion, age, disability, service in the military, or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state, or local law. CLINIC also provides “reasonable accommodations” to qualified individuals with disabilities, in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and applicable state and local laws. All interested individuals, regardless of background, are encouraged to apply.
We embrace and encourage our employees’ differences in race, color, ancestry, national origin, sex, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, and other characteristics that make our employees unique.
The responsibilities listed above are intended to describe the general nature and level of work to be performed by individuals assigned to this position. They are not intended to be a complete list of all responsibilities and duties required of staff members. The job description will be reviewed periodically as duties and responsibilities change with business necessity. Essential and non- essential job functions are subject to modification.
Closing Date
Employment Type
Employment Level
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Reports To
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Job Location
Hybrid - Remote/Silver Spring, MD
United States
Newcomers integrated through community navigator program
Journey’s End Refugees Services carries out its mission of supporting immigrants and refugees on the road to successful integration and self-sufficiency through its community-based workshops and services. The New York nonprofit offers legal services, ESL courses, and employment and entrepreneurship programs, to name a few.
The CLINIC affiliate is among a handful of other nonprofits selected to implement the Community Navigator Program. This program — supported by New York’s Office for New Americans — is designed to integrate, empower, and educate immigrants and refugees, most of whom are low-income and may not have other support systems. Over the last four years, the Community Navigator program has offered economic and cultural workshops, accurate and reliable information and resources, as well as established a network of local leadership among the immigrant and refugee communities.
Buulo Emmanuel, coordinator for the Community Navigator program, connects newly arrived refugees and immigrants with established members of the community who likely speak the same language and share similar cultural values. These partnerships are the first step in promoting immigrant integration. The newcomers are encouraged to create bonds with these community members, with whom they can more easily relate. Navigators offer guidance and support to immigrants and refugees as they explore their new communities, learn new and different traditions, and adjust to their new life in the United States. The integration and welcoming process is made easier due to this safe and welcoming experience.
Community navigators encourage open discussion between program participants and other allies during frequent community conversations and roundtable discussions that explore different integration issues. The topics vary and are decided based on the needs and wants of the immigrant community. Past topics have included work-based issues, Know Your Rights presentations, learning the process of renting and buying a house, opening a bank account, and most recently, learning how to advocate on behalf of their school-aged children, especially during the rise of the pandemic.
While Emmanuel works closely in the community to identify newcomers that may be interested in working with a navigator, anyone can join the program through referrals or simply contacting Journey’s End. Likewise, volunteers are also encouraged to join as a community navigator. Usually, Emmanuel works with 24-30 community members at a time, most of whom are from the Swahili, Congolese or Burmese community. Anyone, regardless of national origin, is eligible to participate in the program.
Prior to COVID-19, the community navigators would host frequent community-wide events. With these events on hold, Emmanuel is getting creative and adjusting his platform. He intends to host his first virtual event next month to cover worker’s rights.
CLINIC applauds Journey’s End Refugee Services for their commitment to bring newcomers and the receiving communities together to create a more inclusive New York.
We invite you to share with us your community’s unique efforts to promote integration.
USCIS Fee Changes: How to Prepare Your Clients and Your Program
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services recently released its final fee rule that is set to go into effect on Oct. 2, 2020. The rule sets a new fee for asylum, unbundles fees for adjustment of status, drastically increases fees for many common application types and significantly limits the availability of fee waivers. Learn more about the fee and fee waiver changes, developing a targeted outreach plan, and preparing your program for the changing demand for services in the short and long term.
