Paralegal LGBTQ Project, National Immigrant Justice Center

Job Description

Job Description

About NIJC

The National Immigrant Justice Center (NIJC) advances human rights and due process for immigrants, refugees and asylum seekers through direct legal services, impact litigation, advocacy, and public education. Headquartered in Chicago with offices in Washington, DC, Indiana, and San Diego, NIJC's team of over 100 attorneys, paralegals, and professionals, along with 2,000 pro bono attorneys, is at the forefront of immigration reform.

Job Summary:

The LGBTQ Immigrant Rights Initiative provides legal services to low-income immigrants who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or queer (LGBTQ) and those who are living with HIV. The LGBTQ project paralegal conducts intakes, research, case review, document preparation, and other related tasks to support clients, general operations, and the work of project staff. The ideal candidate has experience with or knowledge of systemic barriers impacting LGBTQ immigrants.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Conduct intakes, as assigned;
• Conduct legal and factual research;
• Conduct interviews with clients and witnesses;
• Draft applications, affidavits, letters and/or legal pleadings and prepare supporting documentation with attention to accuracy;
• Apply trauma informed and culturally responsive principles to all responsibilities;
• Prepare materials for submission to the Department of Homeland Security, Immigration Court, or other entities as appropriate;
• Review, analyze and present cases to supervisor;
• Track individual cases and outcomes;
• Remain current on immigration law, policies, and procedures;
• Meet deadlines and work with a supervisor to prioritize responsibilities;
• Maintain complete and accurate records in accordance with legal standards, rules, and ethics
• Preserve client confidentiality, account for client monies, and avoid conflicts of interest in accordance with organizational policies and the ethical standards required of the legal profession, the Code of Professional Responsibility; and
• Handle other essential duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

• Education & Experience: Bachelor's degree required. Experience working with immigrants, refugees, or asylum seekers preferred (minimum one year).
• Language Skills: Fluency in Spanish required. Strong verbal and written communication skills are essential.
• Other Requirements: Excellent writing, editing, organizational, and computer skills. Ability to manage multiple tasks and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.

Physical Abilities Statement

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Must be able to remain in a stationary position 50% of the time
• The person in this position occasionally needs to move about the inside of the office to access filing cabinets, office machinery, etc.
• Constantly operating a computer and other office productivity machinery, such as a copy machine.

It is the policy of NIJC not to discriminate against any applicant for employment, or any employee because of age, color, sex, disability, national origin, race, religion, or veteran status.

By submitting your application, you acknowledge and consent to undergo a comprehensive background check as part of the employment process. This background check will be conducted in compliance with applicable state and federal laws.