Job Description
Job Description
About NIJC
The National Immigrant Justice Center (NIJC) advances human rights and due process for immigrants, refugees and asylum seekers through direct legal services, impact litigation, advocacy, and public education. Headquartered in Chicago with offices in Washington, DC, Indiana, and San Diego, NIJC's team of 100 attorneys, paralegals, and professionals, along with 2,000 pro bono attorneys, is at the forefront of immigration reform.
Job Summary:
The Paralegal provides general paralegal support for the ILD Legal Protection team. The paralegal conducts intake, research, case review, documentation preparation and other related tasks to support general operations and the work of staff and pro bono attorneys. Individual accountabilities and work volume will be established through the development of annual Success Objectives.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
- Conducts intake, as assigned.
- Conducts legal and factual research.
- Assesses cases to determine eligibility.
- Conducts interviews with clients and witnesses.
- Drafts applications, affidavits, letters, and/or legal pleadings and prepares supporting documentation.
- Prepares materials for submission to the Department of Homeland Security, Immigration Court, or other entities as appropriate.
- Reviews, analyzes, and presents cases to supervisor.
- Tracks individual cases and outcomes
- Remains current on immigration law, policies, and procedures.
- Maintains complete, thorough, accurate and current records in an organized fashion in accordance with legal standards, rules, and ethics.
- Ensures the accuracy, substance and timeliness of statistical and narrative reports, projects, schedules, and other relevant work products.
- In accord with organizational policies and the ethical standards required of the legal profession, the Code of Professional Responsibility preserves client confidentiality, accounts for client monies, and avoids conflicts of interest.
- Other duties may be assigned.
Qualifications:
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
- Bachelor's degree with demonstrated experience working with immigrants, refugees, and/or asylum seekers. At least one year of experience working with these populations preferred.
- Fluency in English and Spanish is required. Ability to communicate articulately with internal and external audiences.
- Strong writing, editing, organizational and computer skills required. Ability to manage multiple tasks efficiently and perform well under strict deadlines.
Physical Abilities Statement
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
- Must be able to remain in a stationary position 50% of the time.
- The person in this position occasionally needs to move about the inside of the office to access filing cabinets, office machinery, etc.
- Constantly operates a computer and other office productivity machinery, such as a copy machine.
It is the policy of NIJC not to discriminate against any applicant for employment, or any employee because of age, color, sex, disability, national origin, race, religion, or veteran status.
By submitting your application, you acknowledge and consent to undergo a comprehensive background check as part of the employment process. This background check will be conducted in compliance with applicable state and federal laws.