Client Services Coordinator

PASO – West Suburban Action Project (Proyecto de Acción de los Suburbios del Oeste) is a community-based social justice organization that works to engage community members to address issues that affect them, their families, and neighbors with the mission to build stronger communities where all residents can live dignified lives regardless of their race, gender, sexual orientation, socioeconomic or immigration status. PASO was founded in March 2009 to fight for immigrant rights in west suburban Cook County and other collar counties, and its mission is to develop the leadership skills of the immigrant community so they can organize, create opportunities and exercise their collective power.

PASO is based in Melrose Park, Illinois, and primarily serves the western Cook County suburbs. PASO has been well-positioned to serve as a one-stop shop for direct services for new immigrants, refugees, and asylees. All 12 current staff share a Latino cultural background with the community served and speak Spanish, in order to most effectively serve members of the Spanish-speaking community with limited English proficiency (LEP). PASO helps clients apply for a variety of benefits, provides health education and support, helps clients exercise their rights as tenants, and helps them navigate labor rights and employment issues.

Restarting PASO’s Legal Services

As part of an organizational restructure in 2020, PASO’s Legal Services, which had served clients for 5 years, was paused. Given the significant need from immigrant communities in the western suburbs, we are relaunching PASO’s legal services program and are looking for a client services coordinator to support PASO’s immigration legal clinic.

Services may include but are not limited to: naturalization & citizenship processing, permanent residency, adjustment of status, consular processing, family petition, re-entry permits, DACA renewals, U Visa and T Visa, Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), asylum, removal defense, humanitarian parole, and special immigrant juvenile visas.

Working alongside the immigration staff attorney and full time paralegal, the client service coordinator plays an integral role in ensuring that our immigrant communities receive the necessary legal services they need. As the first point of contact with potential clients, the ideal client is compassionate and detail oriented, familiar with common immigration issues and eager to ensure that potential clients are provided with appropriate services. This position will be the primary administrative person for the office as well; requiring the candidate to be organized, systems oriented and balance multiple tasks.

This position is in person and based in Melrose Park, Illinois.

Reports to: Staff Attorney

RESPONSIBILITIES

Daily Responsibilities

• Serves as the first point of contact for potential clients whether in person, online or over the phone. Conducts initial intakes for clients interested in receiving services.
• Provides information about the legal clinic’s services to potential clients
• Matches clients with appropriate services and makes necessary appointments for clients with legal staff and other programs. Leads the legal clinic’s scheduling and appointments process.
• Provide accurate and comprehensive information about the client and their case to facilitate efficient case management. Collaborate closely with the staff attorney and paralegal to ensure a smooth transition of case
• Manages the legal clinic office and collaborates with rest of PASO’s administrative staff to ensure smooth daily operations
• Maintain accurate data and program records in appropriate databases. Ensures any administrative paperwork (intake, fee forms, etc) are properly processed and stored.
• Supports the paralegal in maintaining accurate and complete case files.
• Design and distribute informational materials to promote clinic services
• Conducts community outreach to organizations and groups to provide information about PASO’s legal clinic services
• Other duties as assigned

QUALIFICATIONS

• Demonstrated commitment to social justice and power building with immigrant communities
• Bilingual in English and Spanish
• Minimum bachelor’s degree or two years of work experience in client or customer service
• Background and familiarity with immigration processes
• Ability to stay organized, detail-oriented, and ability to multitask and meet deadlines with minimal supervision
• Proficiency in Google Suite and Microsoft applications

COMPENSATION:

Salary of $45,000 annually and benefits include 100% employee coverage of medical, dental and vision insurance. Cell phone and mileage reimbursement. Generous time off and flexibility.

TO APPLY:

Please send a resume and a cover letter to hiring@pasoaction.org. To ensure prompt attention, put “Client Services Coordinator” in the subject line. The deadline for applications is January 24th, 2025

Equal Opportunity:

PASO is an equal opportunity employer. PASO does not discriminate against or tolerate harassment of any employee because of race, color, religion, creed, sex, age, national origin, ancestry, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, physical or mental disability, or any other basis prohibited by law, or protected activity under the anti-discrimination statutes.

Women, LGBTQIA people, and people of color are strongly encouraged to apply.