Legal Assistant

POSITION TITLE:      Legal Assistant  
REPORTS TO:           Senior Attorney  
TEAM:                        Senior Attorney's
WORKSITE:              Omaha or Lincoln, NE  
  
ORGANIZATIONAL DESCRIPTION:  In 2022, Immigrant Legal Center and Refugee Empowerment Center merged, and the combined nonprofit organization is now CIRA, the Center for Immigrant & Refugee Advancement. Our diverse team of experts provides exceptional, compassionate legal representation, refugee services, and social work services. We take on the most complex immigration cases, resettle refugees from around the world, and ensure all clients have access to much-needed resources. Operating in 10 different offices from Council Bluffs to Scottsbluff, our team of more than 100 full-time employees helps communities welcome immigrants and refugees as they build their lives here. We assist with all forms of family and humanitarian-based immigration, and we never turn any family away due to inability to pay. 
  
POSITION DESCRIPTION: Each Legal Assistant is an integral part of CIRA's legal team. This Legal Assistant position will be working closely with our Senior Immigration Attorneys to support complex and humanitarian-based immigration cases. The position focuses on three core functions: (1) legal support; (2) client communication; and (3) education and advocacy. Supporting our senior attorneys across specialized project initiatives, the ideal candidate will be a self-starter with exceptional communication skills, eager to learn and grow while providing compassionate legal assistance that advances CIRA's mission of empowering immigrant and refugee communities.
  
CORE FUNCTIONS OF THE POSITION:   
Legal Support  

• Work with attorneys, DOJ-accredited representatives, and staff who contribute to serving clients who may qualify for a form of immigration relief.  
• Assist CIRA attorneys and DOJ-accredited representatives by preparing, copying, scanning documents and sending and tracking outgoing mail.   
• Assist CIRA attorneys and DOJ-accredited representatives with forms, statements, cover letters, motions, petitions, and briefs.    
• Create, organize, and maintain complete and accurate client records in physical files and on CIRA’s case management software, including, but not limited to, logging all new activities, filing receipts, correspondence, and filings in the case file, tracking reminders and deadlines, etc., described in detail in CIRA’s Legal Procedures Manual.    
• Effectively and efficiently track open/closed cases using CIRA’s case management system.  
• Assist our senior attorneys with client communications, form preparation, interpretations, document translation, case management for pro bono representation, and support quick-turnaround document preparation for clients facing urgent immigration situations.

• Maintain contact with CIRA clients and promptly return calls in accordance with the Legal Procedures Manual.  
• Assist CIRA attorneys and DOJ-accredited representatives with drafting, translating, and sending e-mail and mail correspondence.   
• Keep clients aware of the status of their case.    
• Interpret for client meetings and interviews before administrative agencies.  
• Refer clients to proper community resources.  
• Communicate and advocate for the needs of clients.  

• Fluency in Spanish is required.  
• Excellent communicator and writer.  
• Ability to work in a team and handle multiple tasks in an organized and timely manner.  
• Strong commitment to public interest legal services and to the enfranchisement and empowerment of immigrant communities.  
• Dedication to CIRA’s Mission and Values.  
• Ability to work sensitively with numerous staff, volunteers, and clients having diverse personalities, lifestyles, cultures, political orientations, and faiths.  
• Fluency in using Office 365 applications (ex. Outlook, Word, Excel, SharePoint, etc.) and a strong ability to learn new software is required.   
• Ability to take initiative and make difficult decisions when necessary.  
• Strong people and organizational skills.  
• Impeccable integrity, positive attitude, mission-driven, and self-directed.  
• Ability to think strategically, problem-solve, exercise good judgment, and lead change.  
• Exhibits responsibility through good attendance, effective time management, dependability, self-discipline, flexibility, and working independently.  
• Openly supports departmental and organizational changes and demonstrates comfort working in a rapidly growing and evolving organization.  
• Ability to pass all required background checks.  
• Must be authorized to work in the United States.

• This job consists of regularly sitting at a desk and using a computer and phone. Occasional travel to other CIRA offices and immigration court may be required. Travel and expense reimbursement is provided.

• Workdays pertain to a Monday – Friday schedule, 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM, with no weekends required. 

• Hourly rate starting at $23.00, commensurate with experience.
• Excellent benefits including:  
  • Unlimited paid time off; 9 paid holidays with year-end holiday break 
  • Medical, dental, vision, life, and AD&D insurance; employee assistance program; 403b retirement plan with an automatic 5% contribution; and FMLA 
  • Yearly stipends for employee development opportunities   
  • Relocation assistance; travel and expense reimbursement 

TO APPLY  
Please upload a cover letter, resume, and three professional references all in PDF format to the job application link.