Legal Assistant-RCIS

POSITION OVERVIEW
Legal Assistants assist a team or an individual attorney to provide zealous representation of individuals pursuing benefits or seeking relief under the Immigration and Nationality Act.
 

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Assists attorneys with their caseload providing direct representation to individuals eligible for immigration relief;
• Meets with clients both in-person and telephonically and prepares applications for review;
• Prepares filings for individuals before the Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, and others;
• Handles incoming and outgoing mail remotely;
• Gathers supporting documents and prepares translations;
• Assumes general administrative responsibilities, including detailed case management and timekeeping;
• Gathers, tracks and records client data;
• Manages both electronic and paper case files including client case log;
• Conducts initial interviews (“Legal Screenings”) in accordance with RAICES policy;
• Screens clients for persecution, trafficking, and torture utilizing trauma-informed approaches to provide services and support to clients;
• Provides referrals for released clients in accordance with RAICES policy;
• Assists with Advocacy efforts and community outreach;
• May Provide Pro Se assistance to prospective clients;
• May conduct Know Your Rights Presentation using approved material;
• May travel to detention facilities/shelters and other locations locally and/or statewide, as needed;
• May provide support to volunteers;
• All additional responsibilities required by the unit; and,
• Other tasks as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree or one year experience in a law office setting or working with the relevant community or population
• Grant requirements may include bilingual (English/Spanish) fluency.
• Experience in immigration and/or criminal law.
  
   

Preferred Qualifications

• Bilingual or multilingual preferred,
• Experience in immigration and/or criminal law.
  
   

Attributes

• Must demonstrate behavior that aligns with RAICES’ mission, vision, and values – Empowerment, Excellence, Compassion, Inclusion and being proactive;
• Able to communicate cross-culturally and work in a multicultural setting with patience and compassion with diverse individuals.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a diverse, multidisciplinary team; 
• Strong organizational and time-management skills; and 
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.

Hybrid Work Plan
PLEASE NOTE:  Employees are expected to live within the assigned geographic location to commute to and from the office or assigned on-site location(s) as business or client needs require.
 

• Currently, all interviews are virtual. 
• All positions will require working remotely and in-office at the assigned work location.
• Applicants must reside in the state of Texas.
• Relocation assistance may be provided to candidates willing to relocate.

Neither the Refugee and Immigrant Center for Education and Legal Services (RAICES) policies nor this job description should  be construed by any employee as an express or implied contract guaranteeing the rights of any employee permanently. RAICES is committed to building an inclusive environment for people of all backgrounds and strongly encourages people of color, women, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, plus (LGBTQ+ ), and individuals who have been impacted by the criminal system or the immigration system to apply; and, RAICES is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, religion, disability, national origin, protected veteran status, age, or any other status protected by applicable national, federal, state, or local law. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment including, but not limited to, hiring, transfer, promotion, demotion, termination, lay-off, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.