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 Senior Legal Assistant, under the direction of the Managing Legal Assistant and, in collaboration with a team composed of Staff Attorneys, and Social Workers, will provide representation, and “Know Your Rights” presentations to unaccompanied children. The position includes extensive client contact with youth, including indigenous youth and youth who have suffered abuse, abandonment, neglect, or other emotional and physical trauma. It requires regular time in state and immigration court. The position also provides the opportunity to participate in outreach activities and collaborative projects within a national network of legal service providers for unaccompanied immigrant children.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:

Casework

Work with team members to develop case strategies consistent with immigration law and procedure. Assist in implementing agreed upon strategy.
Assist attorneys as requested in the representation of unaccompanied children regarding legal matters such as asylum, adjustment of status, naturalizations, and petitions for relatives/special immigrants’ special protected status, family unity, and employment authorization.
Contact and serve parents in their home country.
Assist clients in gathering relevant evidence for their legal case.
Assist attorneys as requested with drafts of declarations, employment authorization renewals, legal memoranda, motions, briefs, pre-hearing statements, and other legal documents in support of immigration benefits.
As assigned, assist with detained and released docket on Fridays. This task will include gathering the updates prior to the docket, briefing attorney/accredited representative prior to docket, and providing “Know Your Rights” at the court
Conduct research as needed regarding immigration and juvenile law issues.
Maintain complete, timely, and accurate case notes and client records.
Prepares timely statistical reports.
Is present and engaged in all team meetings and trainings.
Well-versed in immigration law, policies and procedures.
Remain current on implications of criminal and civil law as it applies to the representation of immigrants and refugees.
Participate in hiring of new legal assistants; responsible for effective onboarding of new hires and assume lead trainer role.
As assigned, assist with creating and updating training materials for new staff, including best practices for legal screenings, post-release referrals, data entry, and case work support.
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.
Communicates and interprets immigration and department policies and programs to the public, including public speaking on such matters as “Know Your Rights,” and other matters as requested.

Training and Mentoring

Train new Legal Assistants (LA) in all legal assistant duties, including but not limited to:
List making.
Orientation requests.
Intakes (identifying forms of relief and follow-up).
Saving population reports.
Legal Server (entering intakes, referring to workshops.
Assigning self to cases, adding notes, CCing attorneys etc.)
Application assistance; application reviews
Case support
Document gathering; file reviews; release plans, etc.
New Legal Assistants shadow Senior Legal Assistants to observe various tasks and responsibilities including application reviews, application assistance, intakes using interpreter, follow ups using interpreter, file reviews, document gathering, court observation.
Act as co-legal assistant on one substantial case with new Legal Assistants which entails guiding them through the process, discussing appropriate follow up, checking in on status of case, looking over motions and indexes, providing templates and examples, being available to answer any and all questions, aiding in court prep and filing.
Debrief after General Orientations to answer LA questions regarding intakes and follow up.
Provide ongoing support and mentorship to LAs as needed.

Data Entry

Able to navigate all databases used by the organization including Legal Server and Sharepoint.
Enter required organizational and client information into databases, maintain data entry requirements by following data program techniques and procedures.
Maintain client confidentiality and protect operations by keeping information confidential.
Generate form response letters to client inquiries where appropriate.
Sort requests and respond appropriately when needed.
Prepare paper filings and copies of court documents for legal staff and clients.
Create visit lists for our “Know Your Rights” presentations or to mail out materials.
Work with legal staff to organize and maintain client files (both paper and electronic)
Prepare, proofread, and send documents as assigned.

Advocacy

Develop and maintain cooperative relationships with local and national community partners, including but not limited to private immigration attorneys, public officials, law enforcement officials, and other nonprofits that provide services to the immigrant population.
Support Florence Project outreach and development activities as needed.

Other Duties & Responsibilities:

Participate in organizational fundraising and outreach efforts as requested.
Participate in developing and implementing special projects or presentations.
Provide coverage for legal assistants as needed.
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 legal research.
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.
Exhibits high ethical standards and the ability to maintain confidentiality both in and out of the office.
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 Knowledge, Experience, Skills, and Abilities:
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) is a plus.

Working Conditions/Physical Demands:

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.
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 to travel regularly between offices, and secondary work locations.
This position requires travel and frequent time in detention facilities and immigration courts located in Phoenix and Tucson. Occasional travel to other offices and locations as needed.
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: $46,000-$57,000 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.