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.

Senior Legal Assistant - Border Action Team:

The Legal Assistant, under the direction of the Managing Attorney and in collaboration with a team comprised of staff attorneys and social workers, will provide group legal orientations, individual intake and follow-up interviews, conduct asylum-related workshops, and provide other legal services to asylum seekers displaced at the Arizona/Mexico border. The Legal Assistant, under the direction of the Managing Attorney and in collaboration with a team comprised of staff attorneys and social workers, will also provide individual intake and follow-up interviews and provide other legal services to detained adults in ICE custody within Arizona. The position is also responsible for assisting attorneys with legal cases and providing administrative support.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:

Casework/Administration at the Arizona/Mexico border:

Conduct in-depth intake interviews for either pro se or direct representation of asylum-seekers at the Arizona/Mexico border. Communicate with clients to obtain initial and follow-up information.
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.
Provide legal orientations and/or workshops to adults and families who are displaced at or recently released from custody at the Arizona/Mexico border.
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.
Work with team members to develop case strategies and legal services consistent with immigration law and procedure. Assist in implementing agreed-upon strategy.
Refer clients who are released from CBP custody to appropriate pro bono resources in their destination community when such resources are available and develop or maintain a compilation of pro se packets of resources.

Casework/Administration for adults within Arizona immigration detention facilities:

Conduct in-depth intake interviews for direct representation of asylum-seekers in their cases for release from custody, their removal defense cases, and/or appellate matters. Communicate with clients to obtain initial and follow-up information.
Assist pro se clients, including but not limited to:
Helping prepare them for their immigration court hearings both 1-on-1 and in group workshop settings.
Assist with preparing and drafting their applications for relief from removal.
Assist attorneys as requested in the legal representation of adult detainees, including but not limited to:
daily case management;
scheduling client visits;
obtaining and preparing supporting documentation, including client’s evidence, country conditions and other legal research;
Investigate and develop evidence to support clients' fear-based claims, such as drafting client declarations, witness letters and obtaining supporting documents from feared country of return.
Conduct translations.
Conduct case and legal research (e.g., country conditions).
Communicate with experts or witnesses as needed.
Prepare legal filings and submissions (make copies), and submit to the court as needed by the attorneys.
tracking and monitoring caseload and filing deadlines;
liaise between the attorney and the client
routinely checking client case status with the courts;
keeping clients informed of the status of their case;
complying with reasonable requests for information.
Under supervision of attorneys, support with drafting legal memorandums, motions, briefs, pre-hearing statements, and other legal documents in support of immigration benefits.
Work with team members to develop case strategies consistent with immigration law and procedure. Assist in implementing agreed-upon strategy.
Maintains 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.
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.

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 purposes.
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.
Generate form response letters to client inquiries where appropriate.
Prepare paper filings and copies of court documents for legal staff and clients.
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: coverage of 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:

Attend all team meetings and relevant trainings.
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, preserves client confidentiality and avoids conflicts of interest.
Develop and maintain professional relationships with the Immigration Court (EOIR) and the U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services (USCIS), government and social service organizations, and community organizations.
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 comfortable working with people with criminal convictions.
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 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.
Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work with diverse populations.
Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing.
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.
Exhibit 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:

Strong legal research skills.
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:

This position requires travel and frequent time in Mexico and potential time in shelters, detention facilities, and immigration courts located in Florence and Eloy.
Operate in a professional office environment and requires the ability to sit for long periods of time with intermittent walking, standing, bending, squatting, pulling and pushing.
Essential physical requirements, such as climbing stairs.
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.
Requires travelling regularly between offices, and secondary work locations.
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 and is commensurate with experience: $43,000-$54,000 Annually. 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.
Company-paid federal holidays, all observed
Eligible for Parental Leave which includes Twelve (12) 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.