IRISE Legal Assistant

Job Description – IRISE Legal Assistant for DIRE Legal Partnership - Reformed Church of Highland Park Affordable Housing Corporation (RCHP-AHC) 

 

The position of IRISE Legal Assistant for DIRE Legal partnership. DIRE Legal Services is a program of non-profit community development corporation, Churches Improving Communities (ImprovingNJ.org).  DIRE serves clients with immigration issues including New Jersey residents who are now detained, asylees, SIJs, VAWA cases, and T and U visa cases in central New Jersey. The Legal Assistant will work 15 hours a week alongside a team that includes a senior attorney, DOJ-accredited representatives, and dedicated volunteers, with additional hours dedicated to helping clients with Employment Authorization Document (EAD) applications. The role involves providing direct client services at large legal clinics and one-on-one at satellite offices to support work authorization for refugees and new immigrants. 

 

Location and Schedule: 
This full-time position is based at the Highland Park, NJ office, with regular travel to Ocean, Monmouth, and Mercer counties, and occasional travel to Middlesex and Essex counties in collaboration with other agencies. The schedule includes: 

3 days per week at the Highland Park office 

2 days per week at EAD clinics in Monmouth, Ocean, or Mercer counties 

 

Reimbursement for mileage and toll expenses related to travel between our offices and clinic sites will be provided. 

 

Responsibilities Include 

• Provide EAD application support to qualified clients at large scale legal clinics and at IRISE offices. 

• Assist clients with questions, eligibility requirements, applications, fee waivers, and financial assistance related to EAD applications. 

• Provide Spanish translation and interpretation for the EAD application process. 

• Maintain case files and other data management tools/software.  

• Correspond with clients to ensure timely receipt of case documents and other materials. 

• Dedicate 2 days per week to supporting the legal team with immigration services. 

• Other duties as assigned. 

 

Qualifications 

Experience in immigration law preferred. Bilingual English/Spanish speaker . Reliable vehicle and clean driving record . Demonstrated commitment to providing legal assistance to immigrants and vulnerable populations. Must be comfortable working in a multicultural and diverse setting. Experience with family law desirable. Must be self-motivated, detail-oriented, and highly organized. Must have the ability to meet deadlines. 

COMPENSATION: This position is for 40 hours/week at $42,500/year plus benefits.  

 

Reformed Church of Highland Park Affordable Housing Corporation (RCHP-AHC) 

RCHP-AHC is an equal opportunity employer. Diversity is a core value at RCHP-AHC and in its programs. We are passionate about building and sustaining an inclusive and equitable working and service environment for all clients, staff, and volunteers. We believe every member on our team and in our community enriches our diversity by exposing us to a broad range of ways to understand and engage with the world, identify challenges, and to discover, design, and deliver solutions. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, disability status, or other protected or unprotected categories. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.