Worthington Legal Assistant

THE ROLE

Job Title: Legal Assistant 

Location: This position will be based in ILCM’s Worthington, MN office with the possibility of remote work one day per week. Candidates should already be based in Worthington (highly preferred) or with availability to relocate to Worthington with relative ease. 

Type: This role is a non-exempt, full-time (37.5 hrs. per week) position reporting to the Greater MN Supervising Attorney.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES & DUTIES

The Legal Assistant will be responsible for providing immigration legal assistance to low-income immigrant survivors of intimate partner violence, stalking, and refugees, asylees, and lawful permanent residents wishing to naturalize. 

The Legal Assistant performs a variety of administrative duties, including drafting legal correspondence, preparing and sending immigration forms, answering phones, screening new clients, communicating with attorneys, clients, advocates, and partner agencies. ILCM envisions that the individual in this role would ultimately become a Department of Justice (DOJ) accredited representative who will be able to represent clients in USCIS affirmative cases and interviews.  

The specific duties of the position include the following:

• Assist and support attorneys and Department of Justice (DOJ) accredited representatives with providing full legal representation—or brief service and advice, and referrals for low-income immigrants and refugees.
• Maintain client records and check mail in compliance with organization protocols, governmental contracts, grant requirements, and best practices. 
• Assist and support in outreach efforts to immigrant survivors of domestic violence, professionals working with immigrant survivors, and general communities regarding our immigration issues.
• Quarterly outreach to students at citizenship classes, screening and filing naturalization cases. Document case work and outreach efforts in compliance with grant requirements. 
• Participate in legal meetings, case review, and monthly staff meetings.
• Assist in proposal and grant report preparation as needed.
• Provide back-up in different areas as needed such as reception, intake, or detention line. 
• Provide translation of documents and interpreting of phone calls as needed.
• Manage miscellaneous projects and complete various tasks as needed by management.

QUALIFICATIONS | KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES 

• Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in any relevant field.
• Paralegal experience or experience working in an attorney’s office with some college credits required.
• Fluency in Spanish or another language common among our clients like Tigryna, Karenni, Lao is required.  
• Experience in working with diverse populations.
• Experience in advocating on behalf of immigrants and immigrant survivors.
• Proficient in all Microsoft programs such as Word, Excel, and Outlook. 
• Experience with case management and immigration forms programs & systems preferred. For reference, at ILCM, we use Legal Server. 
• Detail-oriented, service-oriented, organized and able to meet deadlines. 
• Dedicated, reliable, organized and able to handle a high volume of assignments.
• Exhibits positive attitude and flexibility and works effectively within a team.
• Experience with office equipment, including copiers, and telephone systems.  
• Excellent interpersonal communication and superior customer service skills. 
• Understands confidential nature of organization information and maintains confidences.

In addition to the rate described above, ILCM offers a comprehensive benefits package including: 

• Paid-time-off (PTO) that increases based on tenure but starts off with 20 days per year. 
• Holiday leave, including 11 holidays & the week between Christmas Eve & New Years Day. 
• Health benefits including:  

o Medical insurance through Medica: ILCM currently pays 90% of the employee & dependent portion of premiums and 80% for spouses/domestic partners.  

o Dental insurance through Delta Dental: ILCM currently pays 65% of the employee and dependent premiums. 

o Vision insurance through Avesis: 100% employee paid.  

• Flexible Spending Account (FSA): ILCM currently contributes $500 per year regardless of whether the employee is enrolled in ILCM’s health plan.  
• Life, Short/Long-term Disability Insurance through Reliance with the option to buy up voluntary life insurance.  
• SIMPLE IRA Retirement Plan w/employer match of up to 3% of the employee’s compensation. 
• A remote connectivity stipend of $50/month.  

Please note that all benefits programs are governed by plan documents. In the event of any conflicts, the plan documents will govern.