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). CIRAs mission is to empower immigrants and refugees to live confidently through highquality 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 CIRAs 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 CIRAs capacity to provide legal orientation consultation and representation to noncitizens detained in ICE custody. The ideal candidate for this position is a selfstarter a skilled communicator eager to learn and grow and passionate about collaborating with a team to provide exceptional immigration legal assistance and advance CIRAs mission.
CORE FUNCTIONS OF THE POSITION:
Legal Support
- Work with attorneys DOJaccredited representatives and staff who contribute to serving clients who may qualify for a form of immigration relief.
- Assist CIRA attorneys and DOJaccredited representatives by preparing copying scanning documents and sending and tracking outgoing mail.
- Assist CIRA attorneys and DOJaccredited representatives with forms statements cover letters motions petitions and briefs.
- Create organize and maintain complete and accurate client records in physical files and on CIRAs 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 CIRAs Legal Procedures Manual.
- Effectively and efficiently track open/closed cases using CIRAs case management system.
Client Communication:- Maintain contact with CIRA clients and promptly return calls in accordance with the Legal Procedures Manual.
- Assist CIRA attorneys and DOJaccredited representatives with drafting translating and sending email and mail correspondence.
- Keep clients aware of the status of their case.
- Interpret for client meetings and interviews before administrative agencies.
Advocacy and Education:- 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 CIRAs 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 missiondriven and selfdirected.
- Ability to think strategically problemsolve exercise good judgment and lead change.
WORKING CONDITIONS:- 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.
COMPENSATION- Hourlyrate starting at $23.00 commensurate with experience.
- Excellent benefits including:
- Unlimited paid time off; 9 paid holidays with yearend 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.
Required Experience:
Junior IC