The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world’s worst humanitarian crises, helping to restore health, safety, education, economic wellbeing, and power to people devastated by conflict and disaster. Founded in 1933 at the call of Albert Einstein, the IRC is one of the world’s largest international humanitarian non-governmental organizations (INGO), at work in more than 40 countries and 29 U.S. cities helping people to survive, reclaim control of their future and strengthen their communities. A force for humanity, IRC employees deliver lasting impact by restoring safety, dignity and hope to millions. If you’re a solutions-driven, passionate change-maker, come join us in positively impacting the lives of millions of people world-wide for a better future.
Job Overview: The IRC Atlanta seeks a bilingual Legal Assistant to join a new legal services program that will provide legal services to unaccompanied children in the custody of the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) as well as the local community. The Legal Assistant will support Staff Attorneys and the Supervising Attorney to conduct intakes that identify options for asylum, special immigrant juvenile status, or other forms of humanitarian relief; conduct Know Your Rights presentations; and assist with preparing and filing immigration applications and petitions. The bilingual Legal Assistant will have stellar interpersonal and trauma-informed listening skills, be highly organized and have excellent attention to detail, and be able to work both in a collaborative team environment and independently on assignments.
Major Responsibilities:
Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
• Assist in conducting intakes or follow-up meetings with unaccompanied child clients, gathering supporting documents, and preparing translations.
• Provide Know Your Rights presentations for detained unaccompanied minors.
• Facilitate referrals to other legal services providers.
• Assist in preparing filings for the immigration court, Asylum Office, and USCIS.
• Provide interpretation for clients at USCIS interviews, as needed.
• Open cases, create paper and electronic case files, and input data in relevant case management systems to ensure accurate and timely tracking of cases.
• Coordinate with other IRC program staff to provide wrap-around services, where appropriate, and prepare referral packages for children who move out of local jurisdiction.
• Support development of partnerships that have potential to bring valuable supports to clients.
• Communicate with clients to provide case status updates, request documents and other information, schedule appointments, and manage other communication as needed.
• Prepare declarations, legal correspondence, and other documents for the Staff Attorney, Supervising Attorney, and other Children’s legal staff;
• Translate documents from Spanish to English.
• Track deadlines for the Children’s Legal Services team and prepare monthly reports.
• Other duties as assigned.
Job Requirements:
Education: Bachelor’s degree preferred.
Work Experience:
• Relevant professional experience in legal field in lieu or bachelor’s degree.
• Experience in a legal setting highly desirable.
• Experience working with children highly desirable.
Demonstrated Skills & Competencies:
• Excellent attention to detail, ability to multi-task, and comfort working in a fast-paced environment.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently, solve problems and exercise sound judgement.
• Evidence of capacity to be a strong team member in a highly collaborative social service environment.
• Deep commitment to working with immigrants, children, asylum seekers.
• Trauma-informed and sensitive listening and communication skills.
• Personal integrity in handling ethically complex and confidential situations.
• Commitment to anti-racism and ongoing learning.
• Fluent in English & Spanish, both spoken and written.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, Outlook); ability to use the internet and other digital tools for data entry, research, and problem-solving purposes.
• Valid driver’s license and access to a personal, insured vehicle.
• Must be willing to submit to an extensive background check, including FBI, state child welfare and sex offender registry checks.
• Ability and willingness to travel locally.
Working Environment:
• A combination of standard office environment, remote work, and ‘field’ time within the service delivery area to perform the above outlined responsibilities.
• Occasional domestic (non-local) travel required.
• May require occasional weekend and/or evening work.
Compensation:
Posted pay ranges apply to US-based candidates. Ranges are based on various factors including the labor market, job type, internal equity, and budget. Exact offers are calibrated by work location, individual candidate experience and skills relative to the defined job requirements.
US Benefits:
The IRC offers a comprehensive and highly competitive set of benefits. All US employees are eligible for sick time, a 403b retirement savings plans: up to 4.5% immediately vested matching contribution, plus an 3-7% additional IRC contribution, and an Employee Assistance Program which is available to our staff and their families to support in times of crisis and mental health struggles.
In addition, full-time employees are eligible for 10 US paid holidays, 20-25 paid time off days, disability & life insurance, medical, dental, and vision insurance (employee contribution starting at $135, $7, and $5 per month respectively) and FSA for healthcare, childcare, and commuter costs. Part-time employees are eligible for a proportionate amount of paid time off. These additional benefits apply to employees who work at least 6 months within a 12 month time period.
Standard of Professional Conduct: The IRC and the IRC workers must adhere to the values and principles outlined in the IRC Way – our Code of Conduct. These are Integrity, Service, Accountability, and Equality.
Commitment to Gender, Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion: The IRC is committed to creating a diverse, inclusive, respectful, and safe work environment where all persons are treated fairly, with dignity and respect. The IRC expressly prohibits and will not tolerate discrimination, harassment, retaliation, or bullying of the IRC persons in any work setting. We aim to increase the representation of women, people that are from country and communities we serve, and people who identify as races and ethnicities that are under-represented in global power structures.
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