Legal Assistant (35085)

RAICES•Austin, TX

53d•$23 - $27•Hybrid

About The Position

Legal Assistants assist a team or an individual attorney to provide zealous representation of individuals pursuing benefits or seeking relief under the Immigration and Nationality Act.

Requirements

Bachelor’s Degree or one year experience in a law office setting or working with the relevant community or population
Grant requirements may include bilingual (English/Spanish) fluency.
Experience in immigration and/or criminal law.
Must demonstrate behavior that aligns with RAICES’ mission, vision, and values – Empowerment, Excellence, Compassion, Inclusion and being proactive
Able to communicate cross-culturally and work in a multicultural setting with patience and compassion with diverse individuals
Highly organized with ability to implement systems and follow-up processes
Able to effectively work under pressure, use independent judgment
Comfortable speaking to immigration officers, if needed
Able to conduct home visits, if needed
Possess strong interpersonal skills and public speaking skills and
Able to work productively and independently in a fast-paced environment and to problem solve and think and act nimbly.

Nice To Haves

Bilingual or multilingual preferred
Experience in immigration and/or criminal law.

Responsibilities

Assists attorneys with their caseload providing direct representation to individuals eligible for immigration relief:
Meets with clients both in-person and telephonically and prepares applications for review,
Prepares filings for individuals before the Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, and others,
Handles incoming and outgoing mail remotely,
Gathers supporting documents and prepares translations,
Assumes general administrative responsibilities, including detailed case management and timekeeping,
Gathers, tracks and records client data,
Manages both electronic and paper case files including client case log,
Conducts initial interviews (“Legal Screenings”) in accordance with RAICES policy:
Screens clients for persecution, trafficking, and torture utilizing trauma-informed approaches to provide services and support to clients,
Provides referrals for released clients in accordance with RAICES policy,
Assists with Advocacy efforts and community outreach,
May Provide Pro Se assistance to prospective clients,
May conduct Know Your Rights Presentation using approved material,
May travel to detention facilities/shelters and other locations locally and/or statewide, as needed,
May provide support to volunteers,
All additional responsibilities required by the unit, and,
Other tasks as assigned.