Paralegal, Immigration Legal Services

Jewish Family Service of San Diego • San Diego, CA

3d • $23 - $26 • Onsite

About The Position

Jewish Family Service of San Diego is seeking a compassionate, mission-driven Paralegal to support its Immigration Legal Rights Program (ILRP) within Immigration Legal Services. Under the supervision of the Lead Paralegal, the role provides direct support to ILRP staff and assists with legal representation for clients in immigration cases, including matters before EOIR, DHS, federal circuit courts, and state courts. The position is temporary, full-time, non-exempt, and fully onsite, with a stated schedule of 37.5 or more hours per week. The Paralegal reports to the Lead Paralegal and is paid $23–$26 per hour.

The Paralegal helps manage requests for services, coordinate client intakes and legal screenings, maintain case files and data, prepare draft immigration filings for attorney review, and support attorneys and DOJ-accredited representatives with casework and administrative needs. The role also involves communicating with clients and government representatives, assisting with FOIA requests and affirmative applications, and supporting client visits at detention facilities. Some visits and other work may occur outside regular business hours, and occasional evening and weekend work and travel may be required.

The organization offers comprehensive, low-cost employee healthcare coverage, employer 401(k) contributions, employer-covered life insurance, paid vacation and sick leave, 15 paid holidays and floating holidays, and two wellness days. Jewish Family Service of San Diego describes itself as a client-centered, impact-driven organization serving the community and is an equal opportunity employer.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree.
• Paralegal certificate or equivalent experience.
• One to two years of work experience in a nonprofit setting.
• At least one year of experience with immigration law.
• Willingness to attend immigration law training, including ethics training.
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, and active-listening skills.
• Detail-oriented and self-directed, with strong oral and written communication skills in English.
• Ability to record accurate data.
• Strong relational skills and a professional attitude.
• Strong case management, legal research, and legal writing skills.
• Demonstrated ability and willingness to zealously defend immigrants’ rights.
• Ability to take initiative and work under pressure.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively as part of a team.
• Ability to work flexible hours, including some evenings and weekends.
• Ability to prioritize, multitask, and stay organized in a fast-paced, changing environment.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, Word, and Outlook.
• Program and project management experience and supervisory skills.
• Passion for social justice for immigrants and for the organization’s mission.
• Commitment to culturally competent, trauma-informed services for noncitizens and newcomers in San Diego County, Imperial County, and the San Diego border region, including Tijuana and Mexicali, Mexico.
• Dedication to serving immigrant communities and working on behalf of low-income immigrants.

Nice To Haves

• Multilingual ability in English and Arabic, Spanish, Farsi, Dari, Haitian Creole, French, Russian, and/or Portuguese is desired.
• Experience working with immigrant populations and in multicultural settings.
• Experience working with detained immigrants or other incarcerated populations.
• Experience working with marginalized populations and survivors of trauma.
• A paralegal certificate or equivalent experience is also listed under desired skills.

Responsibilities

• Support casework requests from ILRP attorneys and DOJ-accredited representatives.
• Communicate with Immigration Court and DHS representatives to advocate for clients and schedule meetings.
• Manage ILRP service requests and coordinate legal screenings or dismiss requests when applicants are ineligible because of income or funding restrictions.
• Support the Intake and Referral Coordinator in managing the general immigration phone line, email addresses, and service requests received by postal mail.
• Provide and coordinate intakes for potential ILRP clients, including detained and non-detained clients.
• Organize physical and electronic case files.
• Help clients prepare immigration filings, including draft applications, motions, and declarations, for attorney review.
• Assist attorneys and DOJ-accredited representatives with FOIA requests and affirmative applications for supported cases.
• Keep clients informed about the status of pending immigration cases.
• Interpret in meetings and translate documents when able to speak another language.
• Support the legal team with in-person client visits at Imperial Regional Detention Facility and Otay Mesa Detention Center, with schedule flexibility for visits outside JFS business hours.
• Help the Lead Paralegal maintain the intake waiting list for potential clients detained at Otay Mesa Detention Center and coordinate weekly ILRP intakes with Otay Mesa staff.
• Enter data for ILRP cases.
• Provide administrative support to attorneys and DOJ-accredited representatives, including mailings, scheduling, reimbursements, and assistance to other immigration programs as needed.
• Attend training on immigration law, ethics, and legal or policy changes.

Benefits

• Comprehensive, low-cost healthcare coverage for employees.
• Generous employer 401(k) contributions.
• Employer-covered life insurance.
• Paid vacation time and sick leave.
• 15 paid holidays, including federal and Jewish holidays when they fall on a normally scheduled workday, and floating holidays.
• Two wellness days per year to support employees’ mental wellness.

What This Job Offers

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