Legal Services Coordinator

Human Rights First•Washington, DC

4h•Onsite

About The Position

The Legal Services Coordinator will support the work of Human Rights First’s Refugee Representation team. This role involves working closely with asylum-seeking clients, in-house, and volunteer attorneys throughout their immigration cases. Key responsibilities include coordinating and conducting initial screenings and interviews with refugees seeking legal representation, managing administrative tasks such as scheduling and case management for asylum legal representation, and contributing to outreach and advocacy efforts related to asylum and refugee protection.

Requirements

A Bachelor’s degree and at least one year of post-college work experience in a related field.
A strong record of intercultural responsiveness, sensitivity and awareness, and cross-cultural communication skills.
Ability to communicate patiently, respectfully and empathically with individuals from a variety of backgrounds with a focus on trauma informed care.
Fluency in Spanish required (reading and writing).
Demonstrated excellence in written and oral communication, with advanced research and analytical skills.
Superb organizational skills, including the ability to manage numerous tasks simultaneously, work under pressure, and meet deadlines.
Capacity to prioritize duties, and work independently while functioning as a member of a team.
Excellent computer skills, including knowledge of database, word processing, and spreadsheet applications.
Good judgment and attention to detail.
Adaptability to embrace and navigate new, dynamic projects, and an ability to recognize and maximize opportunities on behalf of the organization.
Interest in becoming a Department of Justice (DOJ) partially accredited representative, and willingness to meet all prerequisites necessary for eligibility.

Nice To Haves

Previous experience working with asylum-seekers or refugees strongly preferred.
Fluency in additional languages, particularly French, Arabic, or Russian is highly desirable.
Broad knowledge and adequate experience in immigration law and procedure, especially asylum law, preferred.

Responsibilities

Respond to inquiries and requests for assistance from asylum seekers, including scheduling, coordinating, and conducting initial screening interviews.
Perform in-depth, detailed interviews with potential clients, who are often victims of persecution and human rights abuses, to ascertain their eligibility for asylum and representation through our program; and conduct related country conditions research.
Assist in placing accepted cases with appropriate volunteer attorneys; communicate in a responsive and efficient manner with volunteer attorneys, other human rights organizations, and the public; and assist in the provision of support for volunteer attorneys.
Contact volunteer attorneys and clients to obtain updates on cases; coordinate the case closure process; and serve as liaison among volunteer attorneys, clients, and in-house Refugee Representation team staff.
Assist with organizing legal trainings and other events.
Assist in managing the Refugee Representation team’s administrative/clerical needs by: compiling information packets and case summaries; Entering, maintaining, and retrieving data, including entering new cases and contacts into the Refugee Representation Program’s case management database; Maintaining and organizing electronic and hard copy files, correspondence, and publications; and Coordinating meetings and draft agendas.
Support organizational outreach, development, and advocacy objectives, including assisting with creating content, building coalitions, and planning and executing fundraising events.
Assist with the hiring, orientation, and supervision of interns and ensure that these volunteers are fully and meaningfully intellectually engaged.
Coordinate client-support services.
Assist with grant reporting and maintenance of relevant data.
Other duties as requested, based on department and/or organizational need.
Undertake the necessary training and submit an application for partial DOJ accreditation within one year of undertaking this role, if not already accredited.
Submit an application for accreditation to become recognized as a DOJ partially accredited representative, if already accredited.
Maintain valid accreditation status throughout the duration of this position, undergoing ongoing legal training and timely submitting renewal documents.
Represent, under an Attorney’s supervision, a limited number of clients in their application before United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), including but not limited to applications for asylum, employment authorization, adjustment of status, Temporary Protected Status, family petitions, and FOIA requests, not to exceed 15% of the overall caseload (upon becoming accredited).
Accompany clients to their check-ins with U.S. Immigration and Custom Enforcement (ICE) and the Intensive Supervision Appearance Program (ISAP), two agencies under the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) (upon becoming accredited).