Job Description: Administrative Assistant

Classification & FLSA Status: Full time | Non-Exempt

Pay Range: Starting at $22 hourly, depending on experience and qualifications

Department: Legal Department | DACA-General Offsite Services

Reports to: Managing OLAP Accredited Representative and Supervising OLAP Accredited Representatives

Location: Hybrid: Telecommute and in-person services at CARECEN Los Angeles Office and partner offsite locations

Job Summary

The Central American Resource Center (CARECEN) seeks to hire a full-time, bilingual position of Administrative Assistant to aid our Los Angeles office. The administrative assistant is responsible for clerical and administrative duties, answering telephone inquiries and processing referrals. The Administrative Assistant reports directly to the Supervising and Managing OLAP Accredited Representatives of the DACA-General team.

Job Responsibilities/Essential Functions

• Assist the DACA General Team 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 in our case management system.
• 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.
• Creating event and program flyers.
• Redacting documents for reporting purposes.
• Translating documents from Spanish to English as needed.
• Under the supervision of Attorneys and OLAP Accredited Representatives, assisting clients to prepare immigration applications, and provide follow up on cases as needed.
• Other duties as assigned by management.

Required Skill/Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalency required; a college degree is preferred.  

• Experience in immigration law (preferred)

• Knowledge and Experience in DACA, SIJS and Advance Parole (preferred)

• Verbal and written fluency in Spanish and English languages required.
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Excellent communication, interviewing, and writing skills.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, as well as the ability to work effectively in a team.  
• Ability to work well under pressure.
• Competence in and dedication to working with others of diverse cultural, geographic, and economic backgrounds including individuals with a history of severe trauma.

• Basic Windows-based computer skills in word processing and court forms software strongly preferred.  Experience using multi-line telephone equipment preferred.
• High school diploma or equivalency required; a college degree is preferred.   

• Commitment to immigrants’ rights and the mission 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 a 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. Personal, sick and vacation accruals are also provided. This position is part of the bargaining unit represented by the union.  

Application Deadline

Applicants encouraged to apply as soon as possible.

To Apply

Please email cover letter, resume, and three references to: Diana Flores 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.