Bilingual Immigration Paralegal, Pro Se Program

JACOB A RIIS NEIGHBORHOOD SETTLEMENT • New York, NY

13d • $60,000 - $62,000

About The Position

Jacob A. Riis Neighborhood Settlement (Riis Settlement), a community-based nonprofit serving the youth, adults, older adults, immigrants, and families of Western Queens, seeks a full-time bilingual English/Spanish Immigration Paralegal for its nonprofit legal services program in Queens. The role supports immigrant New Yorkers through free legal screenings and immigration application assistance, with a focus on pro se services for newly arrived immigrants seeking asylum and other relief. The Paralegal works under the supervision of the Immigration Attorney and joins a legal team that includes two attorneys, a DOJ-accredited legal navigator, and three paralegals.

The position is based in Long Island City, New York, and is a full-time day-shift role. The listed annual salary range is $60,000–$62,000.

Requirements

• Bilingual English/Spanish proficiency is required.
• Bachelor’s degree.
• Strong organizational and communication skills, including the ability to manage multiple tasks and meet deadlines.
• Ability to maintain complete and accurate data with attention to detail.
• Personal integrity in handling ethically complex and confidential situations.
• Ability to work as a strong team member in a collaborative nonprofit environment.
• Commitment to providing service sensitively to people from diverse cultures and backgrounds.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and Google Suite.

Nice To Haves

• Additional language skills.
• Two years of previous experience in immigration legal services and knowledge of immigration law and procedures are strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

• Schedule intake appointments with prospective clients and manage the waiting list for individuals seeking legal assistance.
• Under attorney supervision, conduct comprehensive legal screenings to assess eligibility for immigration benefits or relief and provide information about immigration processes.
• Under attorney supervision, prepare pro se immigration applications, including asylum applications and declarations, employment authorization applications, requests to restart the asylum clock, address changes with USCIS, ICE, and EOIR, changes of venue, FOIA requests, and court filings.
• Help clients complete applications and gather supporting documents for applications and immigration court submissions, including photocopying, scanning, and mailing documents.
• Notify clients by phone, email, video conference, or mail about case matters and conduct follow-up as needed.
• Provide English/Spanish translation and interpretation, including translating legal documents, drafting correspondence, and interpreting at client meetings.
• Maintain current client data in LawLogix and internal databases.
• Monitor and evaluate client outcomes in accordance with program deliverables.
• Submit data and narrative reports to funders by required deadlines.
• Coordinate internal referrals with legal, case management, and other Immigrant Services team members.
• Refer clients to other organizations that may provide direct representation for cases the program cannot accept, when available.
• Stay informed about immigration law and policy changes by attending regular legal trainings.
• Conduct outreach for legal services by phone, email, and at in-person events.
• Participate in team, organizational, and funder meetings.
• Perform other related duties as assigned by the Immigration Attorney or Director of Immigrant Services.

Benefits

• Paid time off package including 13 holidays, 12 sick days, 10 vacation days, and 6 personal days.
• Retirement plan with a 50% employer match up to 6% of total salary.
• Student loan assistance and education assistance.
• Health, dental, and vision insurance.
• Long-term disability, AD&D, and life insurance.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) services.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level