Job Description: Paralegal

Classification & FLSA Status: Full time | Non-Exempt

Pay Range: $21.00-24.00 hourly, depending on experience.

Department:Legal Department | DACA-General Team

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

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

Job Summary
The paralegal will support attorneys, OLAP accredited representatives and other staff in providing legal services at CARECEN offices, and other offsite locations in the Greater Los Angeles area.

Job Responsibilities/Essential Functions
• Conduct intake screening for prospective clients seeking a legal consultation.
• Assist in completing applications for submission to USCIS including DACA renewal applications, Advance Parole, SIJS and among others.
• Assist with administrative duties, including scheduling appointments, answering phones, sorting mail, preparing, and sending correspondence, maintaining records and databases.
• Assist clients in gathering supporting documents.
• Translate documents in Spanish to English and vice versa
• Advocate for clients with government agencies.
• Provide support to attorneys, OLAP accredited representatives and other staff on the team.
• Other duties as assigned by Supervisors.

Required Skill/Qualifications
• Bachelor’s degree required.
• One year of immigration law experience 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.
• Commitment to immigrants’ rights and the mission of CARECEN.

Classification & Work Schedule
The position is a full time non-exempt (hourly) position. 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. The workdays are 7-hours long. The position is part of the bargaining unit represented by the union.

Work Environment & Physical Demands
This position operates in a professional office environment. The position requires the ability to lift files, open filing cabinets and bend or stand, as necessary. Telecommute is currently offered, with transition to in person work at the CARECEN Los Angeles Office. Work may also be performed in a variety of work settings, including CARECEN’s offices, workspace provided by other nonprofits, libraries, government facilities, among others. The position is part of the bargaining unit represented by the union.

Travel requirement
Ability to travel to CARECEN offices, and other off-site locations. Mileage reimbursement is available. Ability to drive with a valid CA license and a registered vehicle is preferred.

Benefits
CARECEN offers a generous health insurance package that has medical, vision, dental, life insurance and Flexible Spending Account (FSA). Supplemental insurance and a 403(b)-retirement savings plan are also available. Paid time off is also provided along with 11 paid holidays.

Application Deadline
Applicants encouraged to apply as soon as possible.

To Apply
Please email a cover letter, resume, and three references to Diana Flores at [email protected] with the subject line “DACA-GEN Paralegal Position”. Candidates are urged to be specific regarding level of Spanish proficiency. Only those applicants selected for interviews will be contacted. Applicants must apply directly. CARECEN will not consider applications through legal recruiting/staffing agencies. 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.