Paralegal, Detained Children's Program

Who We Are 

The Capital Area Immigrants’ Rights (CAIR) Coalition is the only non-profit organization in the Washington, D.C. area that is exclusively focused on providing legal assistance to adult and child immigrants detained by the government in the Capital Region. 

The Detained Children’s Program provides legal orientation and screening to detained migrant children in the Maryland and Virginia region. We also offer free legal services to children released from Office of Refugee Resettlement custody to the greater Washington/DC Baltimore region. 

Our Work Environment 

CAIR Coalition’s Detained Children’s Program (DUCs) is a highly collaborative work environment. We are committed to providing high-quality, trauma-informed legal and social services and a culture of professional growth and support for staff. Although aspects of our work are completed in smaller teams, we work towards integrated and client-focused services across the program by embracing interconnectivity. We strive to create systems that provide structure while fostering innovation and adaptability. Supervisors in our program share a commitment to teaching, mentorship, and work life balance. 

Position Summary 

A Paralegal in the Detained Children’s Program works collaboratively with legal and social services staff to:

• coordinate and participate in visits to detention centers for the purpose of conducting know your rights presentations and legal screenings with detained children;
• support attorneys in providing legal services to unaccompanied immigrant children, including assisting with paperwork and case preparation;
• contribute to the program’s provision of services, including administrative tasks such as database maintenance and reporting to funders; and
• ensure clients receive high-quality, culturally competent legal services while detained and after release 

General Duties and Responsibilities [1]

Client Services:

• Participates in the preparation and breakdown of detention facility visits.
• Conducts detention facility visits in Virginia and Maryland, as needed, for the provision of know your rights presentations, intakes, and follow-up conversations with immigrant children.
• Prepares case summaries and contributes to case evaluation including teamwide case reviews, research, securing records, and obtaining additional information from family members to assist with relief assessments and pro bono placement.
• Conducts administrative tasks, including database maintenance and reporting to funders.
• Supports attorneys representing detained and released clients before USCIS, Baltimore, Arlington Immigration, and Hyattsville Immigration Courts and local state courts in Maryland, DC, and Virginia. This includes representation in the following types of cases: Asylum, Withholding of Removal, Protection under the Convention against Torture, Special Immigrant Juvenile Status, U-Visas and T-Visas, in addition to limited social services assistance 

Organizational Services: 

• Ensures the timely and accurate entry of case information into shared databases.
• Assists other program staff in completion of their workload during high-work/low-bandwidth periods.
• Assists with stakeholder relationship activities.
• Engages with internal CAIR Coalition committees and working groups to lend a voice to the growth and strategy of the organization.

[1] This list is illustrative and not intended to be a complete classification of all job functions or tasks. 

Competencies Required:

Legal Proficiency

The paralegal demonstrates an understanding of basic eligibility for types of immigration relief to allow for meaningful contribution to client intake, follow-up, and casework with moderate supervision. The Paralegal works towards self-sufficiency in client-facing activities and demonstrates an advancing knowledge of trauma-informed practices. The Paralegal demonstrates an understanding of legal information versus legal advice. The Paralegal demonstrates an increasing understanding in the preparation of legal filings under attorney supervision.

Client and Programmatic Proficiency 

The paralegal will skillfully and clearly present legal information and know your rights presentations to detained children and clients with moderate supervision. The paralegal has, and continually improves upon, trauma-informed interviewing and rapport building skills. The paralegal will demonstrate effective time and resources management.

Administrative

The paralegal will ensure that all administrative aspects attendant to the provision of services to clients and jail visits are carried out with moderate supervision, including facility visit preparation and breakdown, file, and database upkeep, etc.

Qualifications Required: 

• Written and oral Spanish fluency required.
• 1 year of professional experience, strongly preferred.
• Experience in immigration law and/or working with clients; ideally children, preferred.
• It is expected that the candidate will need to travel for work-related business. As a result, the candidate must possess a valid driver's license and be comfortable operating a vehicle upon hiring. This role requires travel, but qualified individuals with disabilities may be accommodated in a reasonable manner under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
• Favorable results on background check including driving record, Child Protection Registry, and state and federal criminal records. 

Additional Role-Specific Details:

Position Type 

Full-time, Non-Exempt

Reports To 

Assigned Senior or Managing Attorney/Paralegal 

Hiring Timeline 

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

Salary [2] 

$47,500- $51,350 A higher salary may be offered to candidates with 3+ years of directly relevant experience. 

[2] In 2018 CAIR Coalition implemented a compensation framework to be more straightforward, transparent, and provide assurance of internal equity. The compensation model we use is based on an individual's position and years of relevant work experience to avoid salary discrepancies and to reduce the risk of racial, gender, or other forms of bias affecting a candidate's salary. 

Location and/or Travel Requirements 

This position will be based at the Washington, D.C. or Baltimore, M.D. Office. Due to business related travel expectations, it is recommended candidates live within 30-miles of their assigned primary office.

Telework 

CAIR Coalition operates a hybrid work environment. Most staff are required to work at least one day per week in-office, but some roles require more office/on-site attendance or travel. 

COVID-19 Vaccination:

All employees are required to be fully vaccinated and boosted against COVID-19. To be fully vaccinated means having completed the full dosages required for the type of vaccine obtained as designated by the CDC. If boosters are subsequently recommended by the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) then employees will be required to receive the booster within thirty (30) days of their eligibility to access the boosters. 

At CAIR Coalition, we embrace the fact that talented individuals come from diverse backgrounds and life experiences. We believe that diversity in all dimensions of the organization supports and bolsters the innovative thinking essential to our success. CAIR Coalition values your unique perspectives, skills, and potential, and we are committed to providing equal opportunities for growth and development. If you are passionate about CAIR Coalition's mission and are excited to contribute your talents to our team, we encourage you to submit your application. Candidates from traditionally underrepresented groups are strongly encouraged to apply. If you are a candidate with a disability and require accommodations to apply for this position, please contact us at HR@caircoalition.org.

EEO Statement 

Capital Area Immigrants’ Rights (CAIR) Coalition is an equal opportunity employer. In accordance with anti-discrimination law, it is the purpose of this policy to effectuate these principles and mandates. CAIR Coalition prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type and affords equal employment opportunities to employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. CAIR Coalition conforms to the spirit as well as to the letter of all applicable laws and regulations. 

Our Anti-Racism Statement: 

https://www.caircoalition.org/cair-coalitions-statement-becoming-anti-racist-organization 

How to Apply:

Submit your resume, a cover letter that explains your interest in this role, and a writing sample with your Paylocity application. https://recruiting.paylocity.com/recruiting/jobs/Details/2374470/Capital-Area-Immigrants-Rights-Coalition/Paralegal-Detained-Childrens-Program

Benefits

CAIR Coalition’s benefits package includes:

• Free gym access located in Washington, D.C or Baltimore, MD (dependent on employee’s primary office)
• Flexible working hours after successful completion of trainings and with approval of supervisor
• Pre-tax commuter benefits for those living in the DMV
• Subsidized health, dental insurance, and vision insurance (CAIR Coalition pays a very high rate of the insurance package, for which we can provide additional information)
• An annual data reimbursement of $300
• life insurance valued at $50,000, as well as long and short term disability
• the option to set up a Flexible Spending Account
• High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP) with a one-time employer contribution of $350 to the Health Savings Account (HSA)
• the option to set up a 403(b) account (the equivalent of a 401(k) account for non-profits) which the organization has the option, for all employees on an annual basis, to match at a certain percentage after one year of continuous employment 

Paid time off includes:

• 23 personal days per calendar year 
• Up to 20 days of sick time per calendar year 
• 7 hours of volunteer time off 
• Federal holidays 
• Winter break closure 
• 12 weeks of parental leave