Temporary Senior Paralegal – Virginia Immigration
About The Position
The Senior Paralegal provides high-quality legal assistance and operational support to advance Ayuda’s immigration services. This position supports Virginia Legal Services through direct client services, case preparation, and practice management, ensuring the effective delivery of comprehensive, client-centered representation. Additionally, the Senior Paralegal manages the office’s closed file program and acts as a facilitator of communication for paralegal staff to streamline work tasks and resolve operational issues. Through this allocation of responsibilities, the Senior Paralegal helps strengthen direct representation and administrative efficiency to expand access to justice for Ayuda’s clients. Ayuda is a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to providing direct legal, social and language access services, education, and outreach to low-income immigrants in the Washington, DC metropolitan area. Since 1973, Ayuda has provided critical services on a wide range of issues, in the process acquiring nationally recognized expertise in several fields including immigration law, language access, domestic violence and human trafficking. Ayuda has office locations in Washington, DC, Silver Spring, MD and Fairfax, VA.
Requirements
- Must be legally able to work in the United States and maintain proper work authorization throughout employment.
- Must be able to meet the physical requirements of the position presented in a general office environment.
- Have at least 3+ years of relevant experience working as a legal assistant or paralegal at an immigration legal services provider or other immigration practice.
- Experience serving low-income immigrants in legal areas relevant to Ayuda’s practice.
- Experience assisting attorneys with a significant immigration caseload including a mixture of affirmative cases and removal defense.
- Experience working with children, survivors of gender-based trauma, and/or survivors of trafficking.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English required; fluency in Spanish required; additional languages are a plus.
- Demonstrated sensitivity to and knowledge of issues involved in working with diverse populations, including survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking.
- Detail oriented and able to meet deadlines.
- Strong understanding of common forms of immigration relief, including but not limited to civil protection orders, family-based petitions, U Visas, work permit renewals, advance parole applications, and similar forms of relief as applicable (and depending upon program).
- Ability to work independently and as part of a diverse multidisciplinary team.
- Strong writing and editing skills.
Nice To Haves
- Additional languages are a plus.
Responsibilities
- Support Ayuda’s Virginia Legal Team by conducting client intakes and screenings and performing outreach activities to connect community members with the appropriate legal services.
- Assist attorney staff by providing case management assistance, communicating with clients, preparing, and organizing filings, tracking deadlines, and maintaining accurate and up to date data in the case management platform.
- Support Ayuda’s Virginia Legal Team by communicating and meeting directly with clients to prepare immigration documentation including declarations, forms, and supporting evidence.
- Independently manage the office’s closed file program, by assigning tasks to staff, managing the administrative workflow, and ensuring adherence to established file release and archive protocols.
- Serve as a central point of contact for paralegal staff to facilitate communication regarding work tasks, streamline internal processes, and address operational issues as they arise.
Benefits
- Platinum-level medical insurance plan 100% employer-paid
- Dental and vision insurance 100% employer paid
- Long-term disability insurance 100% employer paid
- Life and AD&D insurance 100% employer paid
- Pre-tax 401(k) with Employer match on first 3% of salary
- Vacation Days: 21 days per year until year 3, 27 per year in years 3-7 and 33 days per year after 7 years employment. Employees begin with 3 days of vacation leave.
- New employees begin with 5 days of Health & Wellness (sick) leave and accrue an additional 5 hours per pay period plus emergency medical leave up to 12 weeks per year
- 12 weeks paid parental leave
- 24 days paid holidays and staff wellness days, including Winter Break, the last week of the year
- Job-related professional development fees (including annual state bar dues and professional memberships)
- Flexible work schedules
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Senior
Education Level
No Education Listed
