Bilingual Outreach Paralegal

Indiana Legal Services•Statewide, IN, IN

5d•$44,185 - $58,994•Hybrid

About The Position

Indiana Legal Services, Inc. (ILS) is a statewide, not-for-profit organization that provides free legal services to eligible clients in civil cases through 8 branch offices. The bilingual outreach paralegal would be part of ILS’s statewide program that provides know-your-rights education to vulnerable communities, including immigrants, migrant farmworkers, and human trafficking survivors, and provides advice, brief services, and/or direct representation to clients on matters related to their employment or exploitation. ILS is committed to being an equal opportunity employer, which allows us to serve our staff and client community in a meaningful, impactful way. We engage in training and conversations to discover and address injustices that affect our clients, communities, and staff. We recruit, employ, train, compensate, and promote without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, veteran status, or any category protected by law.

Requirements

Dedicated to the mission of Indiana Legal Services
A demonstrated commitment to racial equity, social and economic justice, migrant/immigrant worker rights, and serving disadvantaged populations
Spanish language fluency, including excellent oral and written communication skills in both English and Spanish
Basic computer skills, including use of Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint and ability to use reporting technology and case file management systems
Strong organizational skills
Ability and willingness to travel
Ability and willingness to work evenings during the agricultural seasons
Must possess a valid Indiana State Driver’s License
Ability to multi-task and handle multiple projects simultaneously and in an organized manner
Ability to maintain client confidentiality

Nice To Haves

College degree, paralegal certification, and/or experience working in a law office is preferred

Responsibilities

Coordinate outreach trips with staff, summer interns, volunteers, and/or community partners
Conduct in-person visits throughout the state to labor camps, laundromats, local stores, and other gathering places to share information about workers’ rights, labor exploitation, and labor trafficking
Develop collaborative working relationships with social service providers, client groups, and other resources in target communities to address labor exploitation and trafficking
Conduct community trainings that provide information about how to assist and identify labor trafficking victims
Represent the project in the community by attending outreach events, network with other service providers, and serve on task forces or committees as appropriate
In collaboration with colleagues, develop a plan to reach migrant and seasonal agriculture workers by researching locations where farmworkers gather in remote locations of Indiana
Under staff supervision, make appropriate referrals for legal assistance
Assist attorneys and other staff with intake, case work, referrals, client follow up, etc.
Interview clients, write declarations, and organize information in both physical and electronic files
Draft immigration forms, pleadings, letters, and correspondence under the supervision of an attorney
If proper certification through ILS’s third-party testing entity is obtained, perform document translations
If proper certification through ILS’s third-party testing entity is obtained, serve as an interpreter for ILS staff.
Collaborate with staff and assist with planning for the CORT migrant farmworker training to be hosted in Indiana every 3 years
Monitor and complete grant reporting requirements including but not limited to outreach narrative drafting
Perform other such duties as assigned.