The Organization:
The Florence Project was founded in 1989 to respond to a representation crisis for indigent non-citizens detained at the rural Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Detention Center in Florence, Arizona. Through our programs today, we provide services to thousands of adults, youth, and children detained in Eloy, Florence, Phoenix, and Tucson, Arizona on any given day. In 2001, the Florence Project implemented our Integrated Social Services Program, one of the first of its kind in this field. The Florence Project provides high quality legal and social services and supports initiatives for national changes in immigration law and policy.

Primary Purpose of the Job:

The Legal Assistant works under the direction of the Managing Legal Assistant and in collaboration with a team of staff attorneys, other legal assistants, and social workers. The Legal Assistant will provide individual intake and follow-up interviews, manage cases, conduct workshops, and provide other legal services to detained men and women in ICE custody. The position is also responsible for assisting attorneys with legal cases and providing administrative support.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:

Casework/Administration:

Handle different forms of immigration relief, including LPR and Non-LPR cancellation and asylum/withholding/CAT cases, adjustment process, VAWA claims, appeals and release efforts.
Conduct preliminary intake interviews. Visit with clients to obtain initial and follow-up information.
Provide workshops to detained adults in Florence and Eloy detention centers.
Help prepare individuals for their court hearings both 1-on-1 and in group workshop settings.
Responsible for maintaining a caseload; daily case management, scheduling client visits, obtaining and preparing supporting documentation.
Track and monitor caseload and filing deadlines.
Work with team members to develop case strategies consistent with immigration law and procedure. Assist in implementing agreed-upon strategy.
Provide pre-court orientation sessions and workshops.
Assist clients with preparing and drafting applications for relief from removal.
Liaison between the attorney and the client to obtain required documentation and information. Routinely check client case status with the courts.
Keep clients informed of the status of matters and comply with reasonable requests for information.
Assist attorneys as requested in the legal representation of adult detainees.
Assist attorneys as requested with drafts of legal memorandums, motions, briefs, pre-hearing statements, and other legal documents in support of immigration benefits.
Maintain complete and accurate case notes and client records. Prepares timely statistical reports.
Ensure the accuracy, substance, and timeliness of statistical and narrative reports, projects, schedules, and other relevant work products.
Schedule client visits- gathers names and coordinates visitation lists, follow-up visits, or calls.
Attend meetings and trainings as needed.
Be well versed in immigration law, policies and procedures.
Remain current on implications of criminal and civil law as it applies to immigrants and refugees’ representation.
In accordance with required ethical standards, preserve client confidentiality and avoid conflicts of interest.
Develop and maintain professional relationships with the Immigration Court (EOIR) and the U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services (USCIS), Immigration & Customs Enforcement (ICE), other government and social service organizations, and community organizations.
Communicate and interpret immigration and department policies and programs to the public, including public speaking on such matters as “Know Your Rights” and other matters as requested.
Investigate and develop evidence to support clients' fear-based claims, such as drafting client declarations, witness letters and obtaining supporting documents from country of return.
Conduct translations.
Communicate with experts or witnesses as needed.
Prepare legal filings and submissions (make copies) and submit them to the court as needed.
Refer clients who are released from ICE custody to appropriate pro bono resources in their destination community when such resources are available and develop a compilation of packets of support.
Assist with workshops for unrepresented detained individuals.

Data Entry

Data entry, timekeeping, and file management.
Enter required organizational and client information into required databases, maintain data entry requirements by following data program techniques and procedures.
Prepare statistics for grant reporting and other purposes as needed.
Verify entered client biographical information by reviewing, correcting, deleting, or reentering data. Ensure no duplication of files.
Maintain client confidence and protect operations by keeping information confidential.
Sort and handle detention center mail and request forms, upload electronic copies of mail to electronic files where appropriate, and assist with mailing needs.

Administrative work:

Generate form response letters to client inquiries where appropriate.
Prepare paper filings and copies of court documents for legal staff and clients.
Create visit lists for know your rights presentations and other needs.
Work with legal staff to organize and maintain client files (both paper and electronic).
Stock, save, and update pro se packets when needed.
Other duties as necessary—which may include but are not limited to covering reception duties, going to facilities to get signatures, translations, assisting with document collection, scanning, photocopying, collating, and faxing information.
Prepare, proofread, and send documents as assigned.

Other Duties & Responsibilities:

Participate in organizational fundraising and outreach efforts as requested.
Participate in developing and implementing special projects or presentations.
Other duties as assigned.

Minimum Requirements:

Bachelor's Degree preferred. A combination of relevant experience and education will be considered.
Fluency or advanced proficiency in Spanish required.
Demonstrated commitment to advocating for indigent immigrant clients in a respectful and empowering way, zealous support of the Florence Project’s mission, and displays a commitment to diversity and inclusion.
Must be passionate about due process for all and working with people with complex and diverse criminal records and social histories.
Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work with diverse populations.
Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing.
Highly organized, an innovative thinker, and ability to work in high-volume settings with limited resources.
Accuracy and attention to detail a must.
Ability to do repetitive tasks for long periods of time.
Excellent problem solving, research, and analytical skills.
Effectively manage multiple projects and meet deadlines.
Demonstrate to be a hardworking, flexible, respectful team player that can work effectively in a collaborative, innovative, and client-centered work environment. Ability to work independently, be adaptable, and reliable in the face of conflict, pressure, crisis or changing priorities.
Exhibits high ethical standards and the ability to maintain confidentiality.
Must be able to pass federal and state background checks.
Travel is required for this position.
Must have a valid driver’s license and reliable transportation.
Proven computer skills. Advanced understanding of basic office applications.

Preferred Requirements:

Prior office administrative experience is strongly preferred.
Prior work or internship experience in immigration rights, human rights, criminal justice, or a nonprofit legal services setting is a plus.
Prior advocacy work in immigrant rights, human rights, LGBTQ rights, criminal justice, or experience working with trauma survivors is a plus.
Experience with databases and data tracking (i.e., Legal Server).

Working Conditions/Physical Demands:

Operates in a professional office environment and requires the ability to sit for extended periods of time with intermittent walking, standing, bending, squatting, pulling and pushing.
Requires the ability to use standard office equipment such as scanners, computers, keyboards, phones, shredders, photocopiers, and filing cabinets. Requires the ability to lift up to ten pounds - accommodations may be available.
This position requires travel and frequent time in detention facilities and immigration courts located in Florence and Eloy.
Effective September 1, 2021, FIRRP has implemented a mandatory COVID-19 vaccine policy.   To comply with this policy, active employees must be fully vaccinated by October 15, 2021.  Employees seeking an exemption due to a medical condition or sincerely-held religious belief should contact our Human Resources Department at humanresources@firrp.org.

Salary & Benefits:

This is a full-time position. Salary is competitive for our field and geographical area. Salaries will be calculated based on relevant experience and our established comprehensive wage scale: $47,028.80 -$63,607.70 Annually DOE

We strive to create and uphold a positive, supportive, and inclusive work environment for all staff. We offer excellent benefits, including:

Medical plans including health, dental, vision coverage, subject to plan terms
Short Term Disability
Eligibility for group benefits such as voluntary life insurance, subject to applicable waiting periods
Retirement plan, subject to plan terms
Paid Time Off earned on a biweekly accrual basis- Twenty-five (25) Days of Vacation Time, annually
Five (5) Days of Medical/Sick Time, annually
One (1) Day of Personal Time, monthly
Eight (8) Week Paid Sabbatical, after three years of employment
Bereavement leave.
Fifteen (15) Organization-paid holidays, all observed
Eligible for Parental Leave which includes Twelve (13) paid weeks
Mileage reimbursement for travel between offices and places of work.
Relocation Assistance for out of state new hires available for some positions.

Application Process:

This is an immediate opening. Salary is commensurate with experience. The position will remain open until we receive enough qualified applicants. To apply, please submit a cover letter detailing your interest in the position as well as your resume, three professional references. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, and candidates are encouraged to apply early. Only those selected for an interview will be contacted. The Florence Project values diversity in the workplace and strongly encourages applications from people of color, LGBTQ individuals, persons with disabilities, and members of underrepresented communities.

At FIRRP, we recognize that people come with a wealth of experience and talent beyond just the requirements of a job.  If your experience is close to what you see listed in our current job opportunities, please still consider applying.  Diversity of experience and skills combined with passion is a key to innovation and excellence, which is very much valued at FIRRP.  Therefore, we encourage people from all backgrounds to apply to our positions.  Please let us know if you require accommodations during the interview process.

This job announcement is for informational purposes only and is subject to change and modification without notice. This job announcement includes a non-exhaustive list of responsibilities, qualifications and requirements of the position, but does not necessarily include all the job functions of the position.  This position is eligible for membership in the union Proyecto Solidaridad-FIRRP affiliated with OPEIU Local 251.

Keywords

Legal Assistant Immigration Legal Services Administrative Support Case Management Client Relations Immigration Law Data Entry Spanish Proficiency Human Rights Advocacy Client Confidentiality Court Hearings Workshop Facilitation