Legal Assistant, Immigrant Rights Program

Description

The American Friends Service Committee is a Quaker religious organization that promotes lasting peace with justice, as a practical expression of faith in action. Drawing on continuing spiritual insights and working with people of many backgrounds, we nurture the seeds of change and respect for human life that transform social relations and systems.

Join Our Team! Make A Difference.

POSITION DESCRIPTION

TITLE: Legal Assistant, Immigrant Rights Program

JOB CATEGORY: Exempt

STATUS: Part-Time, 21 hours per week

TYPE OF EMPLOYMENT: Specific Term (through December 2026)

SUPERVISOR: Supervising Accredited Representative

REGION/UNIT: Northeast Region

LOCATION: Newark, New Jersey Hybrid

DATE APPROVED: 04/2023

APPLICATION DEADLINE: April 30, 2026

For consideration, please attach your Cover Letter and Resume to the online application in addition to answering the Application Questions

BACKGROUND:

The American Friends Service Committee promotes a longstanding Quaker concern for the causes and impact of human migration. Since 1988, the Immigrant Rights Program based in New Jersey has worked to increase the protection of the rights of immigrants and refugees through legal representation, community education, community organizing, monitoring of rights, advocacy, and training.

Since 1996, the AFSC has provided legal counseling and representation to thousands of immigrants, including people in detention, asylum seekers, youth, families, and survivors of domestic violence and other crimes. AFSC has also conducted training sessions and education to immigrant communities, social service providers and attorneys in New Jersey.

GENERAL SUMMARY OF POSITION

The Legal Assistant will be part of a team providing immigration legal services to low- income immigrants in detention, asylum seekers, youth, families, and survivors of domestic violence and other crimes. This position primarily supports the program’s fee-based affirmative immigration practice, with a focus on family-based immigration filings before U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

The Legal Assistant is responsible for maintaining a client caseload and preparing immigration forms, applications, and supporting documentation under the direction and supervision of the Supervising Accredited Representative. There may be the possibility of applying for Department of Justice (DOJ) Accreditation upon eligibility, upon successful completion of accreditation, the employee can request from the Legal Services Director to be considered for a promotion.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS / RESPONSIBILITIES

• Under the direction of the Supervising Accredited Representative, conduct initial consultations with clients to determine eligibility for various immigration benefits including, with a primary focus on family-based immigration, VAWA and U-visas, adjustment of status and naturalization applications. Draft client declarations, affidavits, and application cover letters.
• Gather, review, and organize evidence and support materials.
• Communicate with clients regarding case status, documentation needs, and USCIS notices.
• Track deadlines, receipts, RFEs, and case outcomes.
• Maintain client files in good order and up to date.
• Respond to calls from immigrants who call our hotline and direct them to available services and resources.
• Compile quarterly narrative and statistical data regarding case consultation and case representation. Assist in the documentation of the project’s experiences and in the preparation of AFSC quarterly reports and reports on funding sources.
• Receive immigration fees from clients, provide receipts, and send bills as necessary to clients.
• Assist in the coordination of pro se community workshops. Translate documents from Spanish to English.
• Participate in AFSC staff meetings and case reviews.
• Attend periodic immigration law training sessions and conferences.
• Participate in person and virtual training and information sessions to provide information on immigration laws and policies to community members.
• Participate in advocacy efforts to effect changes in immigration law and policy.
• Regular attendance and punctuality are required.
• Operates safely in all conditions and follows policies and procedures.
• Other duties and projects assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

1. Education: Bachelor’s degree or equivalent years of experience required.
2. Minimum: One year experience in immigration law, specifically with VAWA, U-visas, and battered spouse waivers required.
3. Prior experience in immigration law setting preferred.
4. Demonstrated commitment to social justice and interest in immigrant rights.
5. Must take initiative, be able to exercise sound judgment, be highly organized and detail-oriented, and possess strong time-management skills.
6. Fluency in written and oral English and Spanish required.
7. Demonstrated success working with vulnerable populations.
8. Strong written and oral communication skills including public speaking.
9. Self-motivated, detail oriented, well-organized, able to prioritize assignments and workload.
10. Ability to communicate effectively and build mutually respectful relationships with co-workers, clients, and the public.
11. Familiarity with software applications in a Windows environment, including Microsoft Word, Excel and Docket wise.
12. Ability to work in the evenings and/or weekends and to travel, as required.
13. Ability to work effectively independently and within a team environment.
14. Experience with standard Microsoft Office and related technology.
15. Must be capable of working under tight time constraints in a high-volume environment with multiple priorities.
16. Understanding of and commitment to the principles, concerns, and considerations, of AFSC in regard to issues of race, class, nationality, religion, age, gender and sexual orientation, and disabilities. Demonstrated ability to work and communicate with diverse staff.
17. Commitment to Quaker values and testimonies. Understanding of and compatibility with the principles and philosophy of the American Friends Service Committee including non-violence and the belief in the intrinsic worth of every individual.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands and work environment characteristics described are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

COMPENSATION

The AFSC offers a competitive Total Rewards package. This position is Salary Family: Legal, Job Code: Legal Assistant I, Minimum Starting Salary $55,000 and is a part-time position. Comprehensive medical and hospitalization plan; term life, STD & LTD, defined benefit pension plan, 403b match, plus other benefits including vacation, PTO, sabbaticals, extended leaves, holidays, participation in unemployment and worker’s compensation and social security.

The American Friends Service Committee is an Equal Opportunity Employer that values diversity within our organization. Qualified persons are encouraged to apply regardless of their religious affiliation, race, age, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation or disability.

AFSC’s Central Office and some of its offices in the U.S. are unionized workplaces. This position is represented.

AFSC maintains a deep commitment to a mandate of care for our staff and communities. The American Friends Service Committee is a smoke-free workplace.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

Position duties and expectations change over time. This job description is not intended to be an all-inclusive, exclusive or exhaustive list of the job functions that an employee in this position may be asked to perform from time to time. The employee may perform other related duties as assigned to meet the ongoing needs of the organization. If there is ever a time that you are unsure what is expected of you, you are expected to meet with your manager and ask questions. If you are unsure how to perform a certain task, ask your manager before performing.

Fluency in written and oral English and Spanish required.