Legal Assistant – Children’s Legal Services

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.

IRC provides a continuum of services including intensive case management, employment and economic empowerment services, immigration assistance, health and wellness programming, and education support to refugee and immigrant families in Washington State. IRC Washington is committed to providing trauma-informed, equitable, and accessible services and maintaining and evolving a diverse, inclusive, and supportive workplace.

**JOB OVERVIEW:**IRC Dallas seeks a bilingual Legal Assistant to join a new legal services program that will provide legal representation to unaccompanied children who have been released from custody of the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) and reunified with sponsors in the DFW area. The Legal Assistant will support the Children’s Staff Attorney and Managing Attorney to conduct intakes that identify options for asylum, special immigrant juvenile status, or other forms of humanitarian relief, 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:

• Coordinate and receive case referrals, setting up new case files (both electronic and physical files), recording referrals, and setting up initial client meetings with attorneys;

• Assist in conducting intakes or follow-up meetings with unaccompanied child clients, gathering supporting documents, and preparing translations;

• Assist in preparing filings for the immigration court, State 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 as directed by the attorney, request documents and other information, schedule appointments, and manage other communication as needed;

• Prepare affidavits, legal correspondence, and other documents for the Staff Attorney, Managing Attorney, and other legal staff;

• Translate documents from Spanish to English;

• Track deadlines for the Children’s Legal Services team and prepare monthly reports; and

• Process and record daily mail; assist with monthly data reporting submissions and checking; prepare monthly invoicing documentation; track deadlines for the Children’s Legal Services team; and prepare monthly reports as needed.

• Other duties as assigned to support the Children’s Legal Services program.

Job Requirements:

• An undergraduate degree or equivalent work experience in the legal field;

• Fluency in both Spanish and English required;

• Experience in a legal setting highly desirable, but not required;

• Experience working with children highly desirable, but not required;

• 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; and

• Strong computer literacy, research, and analysis skills.

• Ability and willingness to travel frequently in and around the service area to attend hearings and interviews and engage with clients and community partners.

Working Environment:

• Standard office environment with occasional participation in community outreach and legal assistance events; hybrid, flexible work options available.

• 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.