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POSITION TITLE: Legal Assistant
REPORTS TO: Lead Attorney
TEAM: Detained Legal Representation
WORKSITE: Omaha or Lincoln, NE
ORGANIZATIONAL DESCRIPTION: In 2022, Immigrant Legal Center and Refugee Empowerment Center merged, and the combined nonprofit organization is now the Center for Immigrant and Refugee Advancement (CIRA). CIRA’s mission is to empower immigrants and refugees to live confidently through high-quality legal representation, resettlement, and social work and to create welcoming communities through education and advocacy.
POSITION DESCRIPTION: Each Legal Assistant is an integral part of CIRA’s legal team. This Legal Assistant position will support the attorneys on the Detained Legal Representation team. The core functions of this position are (1) legal support; (2) client communication; and (3) education and advocacy. This Legal Assistant will support a team of attorneys in managing diverse existing caseloads, while growing CIRA’s capacity to provide legal orientation, consultation, and representation to noncitizens detained in ICE custody. The ideal candidate for this position is a self-starter, a skilled communicator, eager to learn and grow, and passionate about collaborating with a team to provide exceptional immigration legal assistance and advance CIRA’s mission.
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.
- 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.
- Contribute to outreach, education, and screening of individuals detained in ICE custody, including traveling to jails or other detention facilities to assist with legal orientation programming, intake, and interpretation in support of the team.
- Refer clients to proper community resources.
- Communicate and advocate for needs of clients.
QUALIFICATIONS:
- Fluency in Spanish is required.
- Excellent communicator and writer.
- 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.
- 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.
- This job consists of regularly sitting at a desk and using a computer and phone. Occasional travel to other CIRA offices, immigration court, jails or other detention facilities, or community CLINIC events 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.
