Job Description: Administrative Assistant  

Classification & FLSA Status: Full time | Non-Exempt 

Pay Range: Starting at $22 per hour (depending on experience and qualifications). 

Department: Legal Department | Survivors of Violence Unit 

Reports to: Supervising Attorney/OLAP Accredited Representative and Managing OLAP 

Location: CARECEN’s Los Angeles office  

Job Summary 

CARECEN seeks a Spanish-speaking Administrative Assistant within its Survivors of Violence Unit, which assists survivors of violence apply for legal immigration relief.  The Administrative Assistant may assist in outreach and community education activities as needed. The position is full-time, and the Administrative Assistant will assist the Survivors of Violence Unit with administrative work and will report directly to the Managing OLAP Accredited Representative and Supervising Attorney/OLAP for the Survivors of Violence Unit. 

Job Responsibilities/Essential Functions 

• Assist the Survivors of Violence Unit with mailing out completed immigration applications, opening and sorting immigration notices, informing clients of USCIS appointments and providing immigration notices to clients.
• Logging and filing immigration notices.
• Assist Attorneys and OLAP Accredited Representatives with closing cases after approval. This includes providing clients with their Employment Authorization and Legal Permanent Residency Cards, reviewing closing letters with clients and prepping closing files to provide to clients.  
• Filing and maintaining immigration notices and client files.
• Answering phone calls and providing case updates to clients with pending cases.
• Scheduling clients for appointments at Mexican Consulate for funding purposes and assisting with funding reports.
• Translating documents from Spanish to English as needed.
• Assisting clients to request police reports as needed.
• Under the supervision of Attorneys and OLAP Accredited Representatives, assisting clients to prepare U Visa, VAWA, T Visa and Adjustment of Status applications, draft client declarations, and provide follow up on cases as needed.
• Assisting Attorneys and OLAP Accredited Representatives with immigration consular processing and scheduling of biometrics for clients abroad as needed.
• Assisting with reception coverage.
• Other duties as assigned by Managing and Supervising Attorney/OLAP.

Required Skill/Qualifications 

• Attention to detail, strong organizational skills and effective time management skills required.
• Good working knowledge of local nonprofits and their respective service areas –OR- the ability to quickly learn & understand availability of nonprofit services, required.    
• Sensitivity and desire to work with low-income, immigrant survivors of crime including domestic violence and sexual assault required.
• Flexibility/adaptability and the ability to work productively in a periodically stressful environment required; ability to receive and process large numbers of clients preferred.
• Knowledge of history of Central American immigrant community, preferred.  
• Bilingual in English and Spanish languages, required.
• Basic Windows-based computer skills in word processing and court forms software strongly preferred.  Experience using multi-line telephone equipment preferred.
• High school degree or equivalency required; some college highly desirable.  
• Commitment to the mission and goals of CARECEN.

Work Schedule  

Office hours are 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday – Friday. The work schedule for this full-time non-exempt position is 35-hour workweek totaling 7-hour workdays.   The position is full-time in-person and requires going into the CARECEN LA office to process administrative work. Work may also be performed in a variety of work settings, including CARECEN’s offices, workspace provided by others (including nonprofit agencies), colleges, libraries and other government facilities, among others.   

Travel requirement 

Ability to travel to different CARECEN offices, and other offsite locations. Work may comprise up to 25% of travel time. Mileage reimbursement is available. Ability to drive with a valid CA license and a registered vehicle is preferred. 

Benefits 

CARECEN also offers a generous benefits package that has medical, dental, vision, and life insurance. Supplemental insurance and a 403(b)-retirement savings plan are also available. Paid time off is also provided. This position is part of the bargaining unit represented by the union.   

Application Deadline 

Applicants are encouraged to apply as soon as possible.  

To Apply 

Please email cover letter, resume, and three references to: Albanydia Amezquita Verdugo at [email protected]. Candidates are urged to be specific regarding level of Spanish proficiency and preferred area(s) of focus in the cover letter. Only those applicants selected for interviews will be contacted. Applicants must apply directly. No inquiries or phone calls from applicants or legal recruiters please. 

CARECEN is an Equal Opportunity Employer. 

All qualified applicants shall receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, ethnic group identification, ancestry, sex, age, marital status, political affiliation, condition of physical or mental disability, or sexual orientation, in accordance with requirements of Federal and State laws.