Workers' Rights Program Legal Assistant

UFW Foundation•Bakersfield, CA

3d•Onsite

About The Position

For nearly 20 years, the UFW Foundation has mobilized farm workers and their organizations across the country to advocate for more equitable policies, such as immigration reform, pesticide protections, heat standards, hazard pay and other worker protections. We engage constituents in systemic change to break the cycle of poverty while also providing critical services. In fact, the UFW Foundation is one of the largest federally accredited immigration legal service providers in the rural parts of the state of California. The organization has staff in California, Arizona, Georgia, Illinois, Michigan, New York, and Washington state. The UFW Foundation’s Immigration Legal Services Program provides high quality comprehensive affirmative and removal defense services and representation before U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR), and California State Courts. We represent low-income clients, including unaccompanied minors, in an array of affirmative and defensive applications, including but not limited to family petitions, U-visa/VAWA, Waivers, Naturalization and DACA, as well as Asylum/Withholding/CAT, Cancellation of Removal and Special Immigrants Juvenile Status (SIJS). The legal assistant will support the Supervising Attorney (1) protecting employee rights; (2) assist in providing representation of clients in labor rights matters; (3) services and outreach at assigned community events as needed; and (4) work closely with other UFW Foundation programs to drive an organizing culture which influences systemic change. Legal Assistants report to the Supervising Attorney and work closely with the Chief Programs Officer on Workers’ Rights program needs. The responsibilities of the incumbent include, but are not limited to client intake, collecting and organizing evidentiary documents, drafting correspondence and filing documents with appropriate state agencies as needed. Secondary duties will include various special projects related to the events and activities in which the organization or attorney is involved.

Requirements

Working knowledge of employment law.
Ability to handle confidential and sensitive information with a high degree of discretion.
Ability to develop, implement and track day-to-day activities.
Experience working in immigrant communities, communities of color, and low-income and working-class communities.
Bilingual (English and Spanish or English and indigenous language or English and other language as needed to meet communities' needs).
Ability to manage their time and multi-task effectively.
Self-motivated and able to work both independently and in conjunction with team members.
Collaboration. Ability to work with teammates in a professional and solutions-oriented manner.
Dedication to Mission. A genuine interest in immigrant and farm worker rights.
Excellent oral and written communication skills.
Ability to communicate effectively with a range of individuals.
Excellent problem-solving skills.
Experience managing and executing across several communications media.
Flexibility, Speed, and Precision. Ability to adjust quickly to constantly changing priorities with speed, precision, and accuracy.
Si Se Puede® (It Can Be Done) Attitude. The embodiment of a personal spirit that promotes confidence, courage and risk-taking.
Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations.
Ability to write legal briefs, reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals.
Requires ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, clients, customers, and the general public.
Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as discounts, interest, commissions, proportions, percentages, area, circumference, and volume.
Ability to apply concepts of basic algebra and geometry.
Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists.
Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.
Valid California Class C driver’s license, access to an automobile, insurance, and willingness to travel to off-site locations.
Requires the ability to type at a rate of not less than 50 Net Words Per Minute (NWPM).

Nice To Haves

None.

Responsibilities

Conducts initial intakes with potential clients.
Provide necessary follow-up after intakes to evaluate potential client's eligibility. Follow up includes performing legal research, obtaining additional information from clients, etc.
Provide administrative and legal support to attorney(s), and other management staff.
Assist in maintaining accurate client database and case physical and/or electronic files
Utilize computer hardware and software to produce documents.
Read and routes incoming legal mail. Locates and attaches appropriate files to correspondence to be answered by attorney(s).
Compose routine and complex correspondence requiring the ability to create merge documents and graphics.
Make copies of correspondence or other printed materials.
Prepare outgoing mail and correspondence, including e-mail and faxes.
Assist with the coordination of special events.
Translate documents from Spanish to English and vice-versa.
Provide information to potential clients.
File complaints and follow up on service of process.
Answer and screen telephone calls and arrange conference calls.
Scheduling appointments for attorney(s) with potential clients; including managing appointment calendars for workshops.
Assist other office staff with administrative needs.
Arrange and coordinate travel schedules and reservations for attorney(s).
Organize and maintain file system, file correspondence and other records.
Greet all visitors/clients and assist them with questions and appointment needs.
Coordinate meetings, prepare agendas, reserve, and prepare facilities for meetings and record and transcribe minutes of meetings.
Coordinate office volunteers.
Other duties as assigned.

Benefits

Accruals of 2, 3, and 4 vacation weeks per year depending on tenure
16 paid holidays (includes a personal day)
1 mental health day per calendar year
Paid sick days
Health, dental, and vision benefits
Life insurance
Flexible Spending Accounts
Employee Assistance Program for support with personal and work-related challenges
403(b) retirement plan with 2% employer match (providing employee meets criteria)
401(k) retirement plan with no employer match (providing employee meets criteria)
Employer-sponsored pension plan
Supplemental insurance (within 30 days of hire date)
Professional development opportunities and access to thousands of courses
20% discount for immigration services through the UFW Foundation
Many discounts, such as entertainment discounts for movie theaters, theme parks, etc. via ADP Lifemart, TicketsatWork, and UnionPlus