Supervising Legal Assistant-RCIS (35088)

RAICES•Austin, TX

3d•$24 - $29•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. The RAICES Legal Department promotes justice by providing free and low-cost immigration legal services to underserved immigrant children, families and refugees.

Requirements

Grant requirements may include bilingual (English/Spanish) fluency.
Bachelor’s Degree or one year experience in a law office setting or working with the relevant community or population
1-5 years of experience as an administrative assistant (preferably in a law firm or in a non-profit legal department), legal assistant, legal secretary, or paralegal.

Nice To Haves

Experience in immigration and/or criminal law
Demonstrated experience working with diverse, immigrant, low-income, and/or vulnerable populations
Experience in a supervisory or leadership position.

Responsibilities

Supervises legal assistants
Assist in creating training plan for legal assistants
Assists completing evaluation of legal assistants
Oversees project work
Assists attorneys with their caseload providing direct representation to individuals eligible for immigration relief:
Meets with clients 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
May collaborate with the Managing Attorney or Unit Director on changes to existing policy to ensure the effectiveness of the program
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 in the attached supplemental chart
Other tasks as assigned.