Bilingual Immigrant Rights Paralegal

Employment Status: Full-Time

FLSA Status: Exempt

Practice Group: Immigration Law

I. Organization Information

Empire Justice Center, a diverse and highly respected statewide legal services organization, seeks a Bilingual Immigrant Rights Paralegal for our Immigration Law practice group. This is an opportunity to join and grow in one of the most influential organizations serving marginalized low-income individuals and families in New York State.

Empire Justice Center attracts and employs a diverse team of dedicated, determined, and passionate advocates who significantly impact the lives of low-income New Yorkers. We succeed through direct legal representation, high-impact litigation, and legislative and administrative advocacy. As an organization, we provide top-notch training and technical assistance to other advocates to ensure fairness and justice for New Yorkers. We thrive on our commitment to supporting justice for populations that have historically experienced high levels of oppression. These populations include racially diverse individuals and families experiencing poverty, housing insecurity, immigration issues, and domestic violence. Additionally, the organization advocates for people with disabilities, members of the LGBTQ community, and school-age children facing discrimination and violations of their civil rights in schools.

Our offices in Rochester, Albany, Westchester County, and Long Island offer staff an exciting, dynamic, inclusive working environment with a solid commitment to work/life balance, teamwork, diversity, wellness, and personal/professional development.

II. Position Summary

Empire Justice Center is pleased to announce an opening for a Bilingual Immigrant Rights Paralegal. This position will be a critical member of our growing Immigration Practice Group working on the Victim of Crime Act (VOCA) grant, a position funded by the New York State Office of Victim Services. The primary function of the Bilingual Immigrant Rights Paralegal is to assist and support the Immigration Attorneys in administrative oversight of the project and all aspects of direct representation in immigration law matters for victims of crimes.

III. Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Travel to and work in the Long Island Central Islip office four days a week is required to meet client and organizational needs.

o This position is eligible for a hybrid work request under the organizational policy.

• Must demonstrate high comfort and commitment to working with disadvantaged clientele;

• Schedule and follow-up of client and related meetings;

• Provide case support and document and data management;

• Maintain the highest standard of ethics and professionalism;

• Arrange and schedule other language access services, as appropriate;

• Provide quality Spanish/English interpretation and translation as needed;

• Develop a thorough understanding of the general requirements for grant reporting;

• Timely completion of tasks and assignments while working in the office and hybrid;

• Work well both independently and as a member of a team of attorneys, paralegals, and support staff;

• Make appropriate referrals for crime victims seeking services not provided by Empire Justice Center;

• Efficiently and accurately conduct administrative tasks associated with the Immigration Attorney’s responsibilities;

• Participate in immigration law-related training to understand fundamental immigration legal rights and remedies;

• Complete all work accurately and timely, meeting or exceeding the caseload target required by grant sources;

• If the paralegal is Department of Justice (DOJ) accredited, they will provide direct representation, under attorney supervision, in immigration matters;

• Work with community groups, conducting outreach on the availability of services, and help to develop and distribute community education materials;

• Work closely with your assigned supervisor and participate in regular supervision meetings, work plan development, and grant deliverable management;

• Participate, as requested, in the overall Crime Victims Legal Network (CVLN) and ensure that all referrals from CVLN are handled promptly and appropriately;

• Provide client support and advocacy with other related matters, including but not limited to filing Office of Victim Services (OVS) Victim Compensation applications.

• Actively participate in the overall VOCA-funded Immigration Practice Group team and the work of the overall Practice Group as assigned and otherwise be an active member of the organization.

• Conduct intake for crime victims seeking legal assistance, being prompt in returning client telephone calls or emails and tracking documents, ensuring case management systems are appropriately utilized, and individual case data is up to date on all clients.

• Please note that all positions will supervise other practice group members if needed.

• Due to limited resources, all staff are expected to perform administrative and other support-related duties to serve our clients and fulfill our mission as a non-profit legal services organization.

• Other duties as assigned by your supervisor and/or to meet the organization’s needs.

IV. Minimum Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities)

• A background check is required to perform in this position.

• Minimum of 3 years of relevant professional experience;

• Experience in and commitment to working with diverse and impoverished clientele;

• Exceptional recordkeeping and communication skills;

• Bilingual (Spanish/English interpretation and translation) is required;

• Ability to collaborate and work within a team;

• Ability to manage immigration inquiries, gether required information and inform clients of case profess;

• Document drafting