Job Overview:
The Immigration Legal Services Program at IRC provides essential legal representation and guidance to over 14,000 individuals annually across 23 locations in the U.S. Our mission is to help immigrants and their families secure the highest possible immigration status, maintain family unity, access their rights, and successfully integrate into American society.
We are seeking a dedicated Immigration Legal Assistant to support our legal practitioners, including attorneys and Department of Justice (DOJ) accredited representatives. This role involves assisting clients in their interactions with United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and facilitating community-based naturalization workshops. The focus will be on providing legal services to refugees and other individuals, encompassing individual legal screenings, naturalization applications, family-based immigrant petitions, adjustments of status, Special Immigrant self-petition adjustments, affirmative asylum, and other pathways to permanent residency that may arise. Candidates are encouraged to pursue DOJ accreditation with support from IRC’s Immigration Technical Unit.
Major Responsibilities:
- Assist clients in understanding immigration benefits available through USCIS, gather necessary documentation, and help complete applications under the supervision of a licensed or accredited legal practitioner.
- Address client inquiries regarding case status and submit status inquiries to USCIS and the Department of State (DOS).
- Manage correspondence from USCIS and DOS, including notifying clients and aiding them in preparing responses to notices or evidence requests as necessary.
- Maintain accurate physical and electronic case files, detailed case notes, and timely data entry, ensuring compliance with reporting requirements and deadlines.
- Represent IRC by communicating with clients, community members, and partners, managing phone calls and emails, scheduling appointments, supporting events, and conducting outreach for legal services.
- Uphold strict client confidentiality and adhere to ethical practices as outlined in IRC’s Immigration Program Policies Manual.
- Actively pursue DOJ accreditation by completing required training.
- Supervise interns and volunteers as needed.
Job Requirements:
- Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field.
- Minimum of one year of professional experience in immigration services.
- Proven ability to work effectively in a multicultural environment and with Limited English Proficient populations.
- Strong teamwork skills, along with the ability to take independent initiative.
- Excellent attention to detail and strong organizational capabilities.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, Outlook) and comfort with online software.
- Exceptional communication skills in both written and spoken English.
- Commitment to immigrant rights, social justice, and/or human rights demonstrated through work experience, volunteer activities, or education.
- Valid driver’s license and access to a personal, insured vehicle.
- Must possess or be eligible for a fingerprint clearance card in accordance with Arizona State Law.
Preferred Experience & Skills:
- Proficiency or fluency in Spanish, Dari, Pashto, and/or Farsi is highly desirable.
- Previous experience in immigration legal or social services is strongly preferred.
- Familiarity with immigration software and experience in data entry and management are advantageous.
- Experience in community outreach or advocacy for immigrant rights is preferred.
Working Environment:
- Standard office setting with opportunities for community outreach and legal assistance events.
- May require occasional work during weekends and evenings.
Compensation:
The pay range for this position is $20.16 per hour. This range applies to U.S.-based candidates and is influenced by various factors, including labor market conditions, job type, internal equity, and budget. Specific offers will be tailored based on work location, candidate experience, and skills in relation to job requirements.
How to Apply:
Interested candidates are encouraged to apply through our website.
