Immigration Project Legal Assistant

Volunteers of Legal Service (VOLS) seeks a full-time bilingual Spanish speaking Legal Assistant to support the work of our Immigration Project. The ideal candidate will be highly organized, have excellent communications skills, and be passionate about access to justice for all New Yorkers.

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

1. Administrative Support:
   • Entering and maintaining confidential client information and records in VOLS’ electronic case management system
   • Creating and maintaining volunteer attorney profiles in electronic filing system
   • Opening and closing files for clients and ensuring compliance with program protocols
2. Client Engagement:
   • Conducting screenings of applicants for service, including obtaining necessary demographic data, determination of eligibility, and scope of the client’s request for assistance (including hotline callbacks, in-person clinics, and other sources of intake)
   • Coordinating follow-up services, including appointments, referrals, client correspondence, and gathering documents and other information
   • Assist in drafting client documents, including immigration forms and client declarations, and gathering supporting evidence for immigration relief applications under the supervision of an attorney
   • Providing applicants and clients with information, referrals and/or advice under the supervision of an attorney
   • Maintaining knowledge of immigration law and remain abreast of immigration developments
3. Pro Bono Engagement:
   • Providing pro bono support by following up on matters placed with volunteers, providing client related information to volunteers on matters, and assisting with coordinating of pro bono clinics
4. Community Engagement:
   • Engaging in community outreach, including workshops, presentations, and participating in community group meetings.
   • Developing and maintaining relationships with community organizations
   • Designing and drafting community facing educational materials for immigrant youth and their families
   • Receiving and maintaining accurate and up-to-date resource materials
5. Interpretation and translation for both client interactions and for community facing presentations and materials
6. Design and draft community facing educational materials for immigrant youth and their families
7. Participate in internal committees and collaborative efforts to benefit VOLS, as appropriate
8. Perform other duties as assigned by their supervisor

Qualifications:

Experience working in a law office, or another legal setting preferred. Excellent interpersonal skills. Strong verbal and written communication skills. Detailed oriented and highly organized. The ability to multi-task and manage multiple projects. Demonstrated commitment to social justice and diversity, equity, and inclusion. Bachelor’s degree is a plus.

Partial accreditation by the Department of Justice is strongly preferred, or eligibility and willingness to apply for accreditation with support from VOLS.

Experienced with Outlook, Office 365, website maintenance, data management, spreadsheets, virtual communication tools, and database tracking systems. Experience with Legal Server a plus.

Native/bilingual Spanish speaker or full professional proficiency in Spanish.

The position will be hybrid after the first six months. The position will be fully in person during the six-month probationary period. After completing their probationary period, employees may work remotely up to eight days per month. Local travel to meetings, clinics, community-based organizations, schools, college campuses, and other events are required.

All candidates must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 including a Bivalent vaccine dose or latest 2024–2025 COVID vaccine formula, unless provided a reasonable accommodation pursuant to applicable federal, state and local statutes.