Immigration Legal Assistant, Children's Legal Services

JOB OVERVIEW: IRC Denver seeks a bilingual Legal Assistant to join a new legal services program that will provide legal representation to unaccompanied children who have been released from custody of the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) and reunified with sponsors in the Denver metro area. The Legal Assistant will support the Children’s Staff Attorney and Managing Attorney to conduct intakes that identify options for asylum, special immigrant juvenile status, or other forms of humanitarian relief, and assist with preparing and filing immigration applications and petitions. The bilingual Legal Assistant will have stellar interpersonal and trauma-informed listening skills, be highly organized and have excellent attention to detail, and be able to work both in a collaborative team environment and independently on assignments.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES: 

• Assist in provision of Know Your Rights (“KYR”) and legal orientations presentations to tender-age children in ORR custody as to the implications of their immigration legal status and possible pathways to permanent immigration status.
• Assist in conducting intakes or follow-up meetings with unaccompanied child clients, gathering supporting documents, and preparing translations.
• Assist in preparing filings for the immigration court, Asylum Office, and USCIS.
• Provide interpretation for clients at USCIS interviews, as needed.
• Open cases, create paper and electronic case files, and input data into relevant case management systems to ensure accurate and timely tracking of cases.
• Coordinate with other IRC program staff to provide wrap-around services, where appropriate, and prepare referral packages for children who move out of local jurisdictions.
• Support the development of partnerships that have potential to bring valuable supports to clients.
• Communicate with clients to provide case status updates, request documents and other information, schedule appointments, and manage other communication as needed.
• Prepare affidavits, legal correspondence, and other documents for the Staff Attorney, Managing Attorney, and other legal staff.
• Translate documents from Spanish to English.
• Track deadlines for the Children’s Legal Services team and prepare monthly reports.

Job Requirements: 

• An undergraduate degree or equivalent work experience in the legal field.
• Fluency in both Spanish and English required.
• Experience in a legal setting is highly desirable, but not required.
• Experience working with children is highly desirable, but not required.
• Previous experience with immigration legal or social services is strongly preferred.
• Excellent attention to detail, ability to multi-task, and comfort working in a fast-paced environment.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently, solve problems and exercise sound judgement.
• Evidence of capacity to be a strong team member in a highly collaborative social service environment.
• Deep commitment to working with immigrants, children, asylum seekers.
• Trauma-informed and sensitive listening and communication skills.
• Personal integrity in handling ethically complex and confidential situations.
• Commitment to anti-racism and ongoing learning; and
• Strong computer literacy, research, and analysis skills.
• Valid driver’s license, active insurance policy and access to reliable transportation.

Working Environment:   

• Standard office environment with occasional participation in community outreach and legal assistance events.
• Hybrid, flexible work options available.
• Will require regular visits to ORR children’s facility
• May require occasional weekend and/or evening work.  

Compensation: Posted pay ranges apply to US-based candidates. Ranges are based on various factors including the labor market, job type, internal equity, and budget.  Exact offers are calibrated by work location, individual candidate experience and skills relative to the defined job requirements.

Equal Opportunity Employer: We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status. 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.

US Benefits: We offer a comprehensive and highly competitive set of benefits. In the US, these include: 10 sick days, 10 US holidays, 20-25 paid time off days depending on role and tenure, medical insurance starting at $143 per month, dental starting at $6.50 per month, and vision starting at $5 per month, FSA for healthcare and commuter costs, a 403b retirement savings plans with immediately vested matching, disability & life insurance, and an Employee Assistance Program which is available to our staff and their families to support counseling and care in times of crisis and mental health struggles.