Legal Assistant - Salinas, CA and Oxnard, CA

UFW Foundation • Oxnard, CA

1d • $20 - $24

About The Position

The Legal Assistant supports attorneys and Department of Justice (DOJ) accredited representatives in delivering affirmative immigration relief services and assisting with representation of clients in removal proceedings. The role also supports services and outreach at assigned community college campuses and community events as needed, and works with other UFW Foundation programs to advance an organizing culture that influences systemic change. The position reports to a lead staff attorney or senior accredited representative.

The Legal Assistant provides legal case support and high-level clerical and administrative assistance, including handling correspondence and calls, preparing documents, assisting clients with immigration applications and initial intakes, translating between Spanish and English, and maintaining client databases and case files. The role may also assist with special events, group-processing workshops, office operations, and coordination of volunteers. The UFW Foundation’s Immigration Legal Services Program provides affirmative and removal-defense services to low-income clients, including unaccompanied minors, before USCIS, EOIR, and California State Courts.

Requirements

• Associate degree or equivalent from a two-year college or technical school, plus at least two years of related experience and/or training, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Bilingual in English and Spanish, an Indigenous language, or another language needed to serve the communities.
• Experience working with immigrant communities, communities of color, and low-income and working-class communities.
• Ability to develop, implement, and track day-to-day activities.
• Ability to manage multiple projects in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively with team members in a professional, solutions-oriented manner.
• Genuine interest in immigrant and farm worker rights.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, problem-solving skills, and organization.
• Experience managing and executing work across several communications media.
• Ability to adapt quickly to changing priorities with speed, precision, and accuracy.
• Professionalism, self-motivation, and a confidence-, courage-, and risk-taking-oriented attitude.
• Ability to read, analyze, and interpret business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, and governmental regulations; write legal briefs, reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals; and present information and respond to questions from groups, clients, customers, and the public.
• Ability to perform calculations involving figures and amounts and apply basic algebra and geometry.
• Ability to solve practical problems, work with concrete variables in situations with limited standardization, and interpret written, oral, diagrammatic, or scheduled instructions.
• Valid California Class C driver's license, access to an automobile, insurance, and willingness to travel to off-site locations.
• Typing speed of at least 50 net words per minute.

Responsibilities

• Use computer hardware and software to produce documents.
• Read and route incoming legal mail, locating and attaching the appropriate file for correspondence requiring a response from an attorney or DOJ-accredited representative.
• Compose and type routine and complex correspondence, including creating merge documents and graphics.
• Copy correspondence and other printed materials.
• Prepare outgoing mail and correspondence, including email and faxes.
• Assist with coordinating special events.
• Facilitate completion of immigration applications, including Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals and citizenship applications.
• Translate documents from Spanish to English and English to Spanish.
• Provide information to potential immigration applicants.
• Follow up after client intakes to evaluate eligibility for relief, including conducting legal research and obtaining additional information from clients.
• Assist with, coordinate, and direct on-site and off-site group-processing workshops.
• Develop and disseminate program materials.
• Provide administrative and legal support to attorneys, DOJ representatives, and management staff.
• Maintain accurate client databases and physical and/or electronic case files.
• Conduct initial intakes for immigration clients.
• Answer and screen telephone calls, arrange conference calls, and route calls or take messages.
• Coordinate appointments with DOJ-accredited representatives or attorneys.
• Assist other office staff with administrative needs.
• Arrange and coordinate travel schedules and reservations for legal team members.
• Organize and maintain filing systems and file correspondence and other records.
• Greet visitors and clients and assist them with questions and appointment needs.
• Coordinate meetings, prepare agendas, reserve and prepare facilities, and record and transcribe meeting minutes.
• Coordinate office volunteers; may coordinate and supervise volunteers.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Accrual of 2, 3, or 4 weeks of vacation per year, depending on tenure.
• 16 paid holidays, including a personal day.
• One mental health day per calendar year.
• Paid sick days.
• Health, dental, and vision benefits.
• Life insurance.
• Flexible Spending Accounts.
• Employee Assistance Program.
• 403(b) retirement plan with a 2% employer match, subject to eligibility criteria.
• 401(k) retirement plan with no employer match, subject to eligibility criteria.
• Employer-sponsored pension plan.
• Supplemental insurance available within 30 days of hire.
• Professional development opportunities and access to thousands of courses.
• 20% discount on immigration services through the UFW Foundation.
• Discounts on entertainment and other services through ADP Lifemart, TicketsatWork, and UnionPlus.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Education Level: Associate degree