Litigation Program Paralegal & Community Advocate

Americans for Immigrant Justice (AI Justice) is an award-winning not-for-profit legal services organization founded in 1996 to protect and promote the human rights of immigrants. AI Justice has a multicultural and multilingual staff and has represented clients from around the world. We are recognized as a powerful advocate and national leader advancing immigrants' rights. AI Justice works closely with traditional civil rights groups as well as grassroots organizations and local, state and national government officials to effect positive changes in immigration laws and policies.

AI Justice is seeking a full-time Litigation Program Paralegal & Community Advocate to join our dynamic legal team. The ideal candidate will have strong organizational skills, an eye for details, and a demonstrated commitment to fighting for immigrants’ rights. As a Litigation Paralegal, you will play a crucial role supporting our work fighting cases in federal courts throughout the country and coordinating community education and advocacy campaigns. Key responsibilities include:

• Assist attorneys in daily case management tasks, including updating and maintaining case information into online databases.
• Assist with research and with the preparation of court filings and government/agency requests.
• Conduct initial interviews with prospective clients; conduct client interviews and assist in drafting client declarations.
• Provide general administrative support (processing mail, faxing, copying, answering phones, scheduling).
• Monitor deadlines and calendar court hearings.
• Assist in coordinating the Rapid Response Network (RRN) throughout Florida. The RRN seeks to unite FL legal services providers, community groups, and impact litigators in a network that will prepare communities to respond to immigration raids, roundups, mass deportations, and the entanglement of local and federal law enforcement, including through the provision of general Know Your Rights Trainings for engaging with law enforcement; Family Safety and Preparedness Trainings; and ICE Raids KYR Trainings for specific scenarios. The RRN seeks to provide immediate legal defense, strategic litigation, and will forge further partnership with community organizers and mutual aid groups on advocacy and meeting the needs of immigrant communities put at risk by a mass deportation policy.
• Represent AI Justice in coalition meetings and community events; support coalition work, including community outreach, organizing, and general administrative support.
• Assist in the preparation and dissemination of community education materials.
• Represent AI Justice in working group meetings, stakeholder meetings with immigration agencies, coalition partners, and the community-at-large.
• Support and develop partnerships with local, regional, and national partners.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Litigation Team.

Qualifications: 

• Experience in immigration law and advocacy preferred.
• Ability to work collaboratively with multiple attorneys and staff members; comfort working in a collaborative, fast-paced environment that values giving and receiving feedback.
• Ability to work independently and under pressure.
• Enthusiastic about and committed to working alongside people from diverse cultural, educational, professional, and socioeconomic backgrounds. A demonstrated belief in diversity, inclusion, and equity for all individuals.
• Familiarity with Microsoft Office 365 required.
• Experience working with immigrants preferred. ·
• Excellent oral and written communication and interpersonal skills.
• Written and verbal fluency in English required.
• Spanish and/or Haitian Creole fluency strongly preferred.
• Directly impacted people and those with personal experience in the U.S. immigration system are highly encouraged to apply.
• Must be willing to submit to an extensive background check, including FBI, statewide repository, and sex offender registry checks.

Education: BA/BS Preferred

• Location: Candidate must be based in South Florida. Position eligible for work
• from

home, hybrid, or in-office designation in accordance with AI Justice Job Classification Policy.

Salary & Benefits: 

• Salary commensurate with experience. Salary ranges from $46,000 - $71,000, depending on experience.
• AI Justice offers a comprehensive benefits package, including excellent health, vision, dental, and life insurance coverage; 15 paid days of vacation leave; 13 paid holidays; 10 paid health days; 1 personal day. After one year of employment, staff are entitled to paid parental leave and up to 3% matching employer contribution to 403(b) retirement plan. Vacation and health leave increases after two- and five-year anniversaries. Paid sabbatical available at five years.

How to apply: 

AI Justice is an EOE/AA employer and we strongly encourage applications from people of color, immigrants, women, members of the LGBTQIA+ community, people with disabilities, and other historically underrepresented groups. We value strength in diversity and inclusion within our office and are actively working towards providing an inclusive, equitable, and welcoming environment free from discrimination for all.

Please submit cover letter, resume, and 3 references to careers@aijustice.org, with subject line "Litigation Program Paralegal & Community Advocate " 

Interviews: Top candidates will be invited to interview.

APPLICATION DEADLINE: OPEN UNTIL FILLED