Immigration Paralegal (PT)

POSITION:                               Immigration Paralegal (PT)

JOB CLASS:                              Technical Specialist 2

WAGE:                                      Starting at S24,300 per year at 20 hours per week based on experience

FLSA; EEO; WC:                       Non-Exempt; Professionals; 8864

LOCATIONS:                           IRCO PIAFC 8040 NE Sandy Blvd., Portland, OR 97213; Hybrid schedule

FTE; FT/PT; STATUS:              0.50 FTE; Part-Time with Benefits; Regular

NUMBER OF POSITIONS:     (1)

APPLY AT:                                www.irco.org 

STATUS:                                   Part-Time with Benefits

PROGRAM(S):                         Immigration Legal Services

SECTOR:                                   Legal Services

REQUIREMENTS:                    English fluency required. 

                                                   Must be able to pass extensive background check.

                                                   Must have vehicle, insurance, and ability to drive during business hours.

This job announcement is intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed in this job. This is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required.

Program Summary
The mission of the Legal Services team is to provide direct legal services to our most vulnerable community members. We are a multidisciplinary team with Immigration Law, Disability Law, and Family Law units. The successful candidate will have the opportunity to work with attorneys and Immigration Paralegals with diverse specialties, credentials, and experiences across these disciplines.

Position Summary
IRCO Immigration Legal Services (IRCO ILS) seeks to hire a part-time Immigration Paralegal to be an integral part of our team. The Immigration Paralegal will support one or more attorneys or DOJ Accredited Representatives with their caseload. This includes communicating with clients, collecting documents, initial form-filling of immigration applications, processing incoming/outgoing mail, and maintaining client records.

Essential Functions

• Communicate with USCIS and clients on behalf of Lead Immigration Attorneys, Immigration Attorneys, Provisionally Licensed Attorneys, and/or DOJ Accredited Representatives. to progress legal cases.
• Coordinate and schedule appointments for one or more attorneys or DOJ Accredited Representatives.
• Obtain information and documents from clients to support attorneys with filing USCIS applications.
• Complete initial drafts of immigration forms for a variety of immigration matters (including naturalization, adjustment of status, temporary protected status, asylum, family petition, and employment authorization) to be reviewed, completed, and submitted by an attorney or DOJ Accredited Representative.
• Record case management data, in a timely manner, in physical files, OneDrive, and LawLab in accordance with laws, industry standards, and IRCO ILS procedures. Assist the Legal Services Sector Manager in compiling data for program reporting as needed.
• Process incoming and outgoing mail, including stamping, scanning, filing, printing shipping labels, and transporting office mail to the Post Office.
• Conduct legal research and draft legal briefs.

Secondary Functions

• Support with the planning of legal clinics, know your rights presentations, and other community education and engagement events.
• Leverage bilingual/bicultural skills to provide interpretation for eligibility screenings, consultations, client meetings, etc. and to serve as a liaison/advocate for community members (if applicable).
• Assist with projects and other duties as assigned.

Education & Experience

MINIMUM JOB SPECIFIC QUALIFICATIONS:

• 1-2 years of clerical/administrative experience, preferably in a legal services office.
• Experience working with immigrant and refugee communities is required.
• Bachelor’s Degree from a four-year college or university.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Strong preference will be given to candidates with 3-4 years of experience as a Legal Assistant / Paralegal / Law Clerk in an immigration legal services provider office or licensure as a Licensed Paralegal with the Oregon State Bar.
• Experience working with immigrant and refugee communities.
• Bilingual/bicultural and fluent in a language other than English (Spanish, Dari, Pashto, and Ukrainian are preferred).
• Familiarity with immigration forms.
• Strong attention to detail.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment; self-starting with a flexible growth mindset.

Physical, Mental, & Environmental Requirements

• Hybrid Schedule
• Minimal physical effort such as light lifting, carrying or movement, etc. Physical capability involves use of office or equipment where some agility and hand eye coordination is needed 
• Occasional need to assess risk as well as to make determinations about tasks and deadlines
• There is very little element of personal risk or hazard. Job conditions are stable, usually well managed, and very comfortable.
• Work schedule occasionally fluctuates based on organization or customer needs. This fluctuation may occur with or without prior notice

Supervisory Responsibilities

Positions at this level are not responsible for any supervisory functions, or responsibilities, but may occasionally be asked to orient and/or train new employees or volunteers.

What We Offer

IRCO is a very employee-friendly workplace and offers great benefit package to our staff:

• Many flexible working arrangements and schedule
• Amazing opportunity to work with people who come from all over the world
• Work that helps your community 
• 3 to 6 weeks of PTO per year 
• 401k match of over 100% on first 5%, immediate vesting 
• 3% match for student loans or college savings 
• 12 Paid Holidays and 1 Floating Holiday
• Medical & Dental insurance options with 90% coverage for employee AND Families, no deductibles
• Employer Paid Life, Short term, and Long-term Disability Insurance 
• Flexible spending account

Required Engagement 

Engage fully in recommended professional development, as well as other assigned or required training activities.  This engagement can also include participation in optional activities that embrace IRCO’s mission, vision, and values-based initiatives. 

How To Apply

1. Complete the IRCO application in our Careers Portal: IRCO Application for Employment.  
2. Upload your resume and cover letter addressing your qualifications for this position IRCO Careers.  
3. For questions about this position, please email jobs@irco.org

Please note that physical applications are accessible from IRCO’s main office, 10301 NE Glisan, Portland, OR 97220. Due to the high volume of applications received, we will not be able to contact applicants or return calls regarding applications. Complete applications should include a cover letter, resume, and IRCO application. 

IRCO is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any characteristics protected by law. We will make reasonable accommodations to meet our obligations under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and state disability laws.