Overview

Paralegal – Immigration Law Project – Brooklyn

Summary:

Safe Horizon’s Immigration Law Project (ILP)‘s Paralegal will assist clients, under attorney supervision, in wide range of immigration matters, including VAWA based applications for survivors of domestic violence, U visa petitions for crime victims, green card applications, naturalization applications, requests for employment authorization, consular processing of family members of clients, FOIA requests, and DACA.

The Paralegal will assist attorneys in preparing evidence and submissions for cases before Immigration Court. The Paralegal will also carry their own caseload, under attorney supervision, and will be responsible for managing and reporting on a variety of project grants.

Responsibilities:

Learn and integrate a trauma-informed, client-centered approach, using an anti-oppressive lens, into your work with clients

Essential Job Functions:

  • Coordinate and conducts in-depth intake interviews with clients to obtain basic demographic information and information relevant to a client’s possible eligibility for immigration relief;
  • Drafts legal documents and prepares petitions for submission for administrative applications under supervision of attorneys;
  • Provides support for project attorneys on a variety of complex immigration matters;
  • Provides legal information, advocacy and referrals to clients;
  • Maintains data for project grants, and helps prepare grant reports for funders;
  • Conducts presentations and trainings to immigrant communities, community based organizations, and law enforcement officials, throughout New York City;
  • Develops and maintains relationships with individuals, organizations and government agencies within the immigration advocacy community nationally and legal community in the New York region;
  • Serves as an internal resource to Safe Horizon staff, answering questions and making educational presentations.

Interacts with:

  • Criminal Court
  • Family Court
  • Community Office Program Directors
  • Senior Case Managers
  • Victim Advocates;
  • Clients;
  • Funders;
  • Hearing Officers
  • Assistant U.S Attorneys
  • Government Counsel
  • Private Attorneys
  • Attorneys from other not for profit organizations, with related missions
  • District Attorney’s office
  • Family Justice Center
  • Representatives from law schools
  • Representatives from the Bar Association

Qualifications:

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent relevant experience. A strong commitment to public service, dedicated to working with immigrant populations, and survivors of crime and abuse. Applicants should have community service experience, and possess excellent organizational, oral, written, and analytic skills. A knowledge and understanding of immigration and refugee issues, dynamics of domestic violence, and cultural competency is essential. Prior experience working in immigration services, and/or with crime victims and survivors of domestic and sexual and gender-based violence is highly preferred. Candidates who are BIA Accredited Representative or willing to obtain certification is strongly preferred.

Hiring Range: 23.35 – 26.06 Hourly 

If hired, I agree to abide by all of Safe Horizon’s rules and regulations, and understand that, if employed, my employment may be terminated with or without cause, and with or without notice, at any time, at the option of either the company or me. I further understand that no representation, whether oral or written by any representative or agent of the organization, at any time, constitutes a contract of employment.

AmeriCorps, Peace Corps and other national service alumni are encouraged to apply.

New Requirement:

Effective October 29, 2021, as a private contractor of The City of New York all Safe Horizon employees, interns and volunteers must provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination unless they have been granted a reasonable accommodation for religious or medical reasons.

Technology Statement:

Applicants may be responsible for providing the equipment and tools they need to work remotely as required, such as access to a computer, internet service, and phone service. Safe Horizon will discuss potential solutions with candidates and may assist where needed and agreed to in advance.

Please follow this link to view complete EEO Law and complaint filing information: https://www.eeoc.gov/sites/default/files/migrated_files/employers/eeoc_self_print_poster.pdf

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