Legal Assistant, 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 focused exclusively 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 migrant children detained 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. 

Role Description 

A Legal Assistant (LA) 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; and  
• contribute to the program’s provision of services as a whole, including administrative tasks such as database maintenance and reporting to funders. 
• 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.  

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 actively fostering innovation and adaptability. Supervisors in our program share a commitment to teaching, mentorship, and work life balance. 

Competencies Required: 

Legal Proficiency 

The Legal Assistant (LA) 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 LA works towards self-sufficiency in client-facing activities and demonstrates an advancing knowledge of trauma-informed practices. The LA demonstrates an understanding of legal information versus legal advice. The LA demonstrates an increasing understanding in the preparation of legal filings under attorney supervision. 

Client and Programmatic Proficiency 

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

Administrative 

The LA 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.  
• Driver’s license required 
• Favorable results on background check including driving record, Child Protection Registry, and state and federal criminal records. 

What Else You Should Know:  

Position Type 

Full-time nonexempt

Supervisory Responsibility  

None

Reports To 

Staff Attorney

Timeline  

Deadline to Apply: 07/01/2022

Start Date: TBD

Salary 

$47,500- $59,750 commensurate with experience

Location 

This position will be based from the Washington, D.C. or Baltimore, M.D. Office. 

Telework 

All CAIR Coalition staff, interns, and volunteers are working remotely. However, due to the duties and responsibilities of certain positions, certain staff members will be required to live within 30 miles of their assigned primary office. Staff have the option to work from the office following a hybrid model, as long as they are in compliance with CAIR Coalition's COVID-19 policies. 

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. 

How to Apply:  

Submit your resume, a cover letter that explains your interest in this role, and a writing sample with your Paylocity application. 

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. 

Anti-Racism Statement: 

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