Paralegal, Rapid Response

About NYLAG

Founded in 1990, NYLAG is a leading civil legal services organization combatting economic, racial, and social injustice by advocating for people experiencing poverty or in crisis. Our services include comprehensive, free civil legal services, financial empowerment, impact litigation, policy advocacy, and community partnerships. NYLAG exists because wealth should not determine who has access to justice. We aim to disrupt systemic racism by serving individuals and families whose legal and financial crises are often rooted in racial inequality. NYLAG goes to where the need is, providing services in more than 150 community sites (e.g. courts, hospitals, libraries) and on our Mobile Legal Help Center. NYLAG’s staff of 410 impacted the lives of nearly 129,000 people last year.

Job description:

NYLAG seeks a highly motivated, full‐time paralegal to support our work under the Pro Se Plus Project (PSPP), a collaborative of legal service providers and community-based organizations that was developed to respond to the needs of recently arrived asylum seekers. This project serves immigrant New Yorkers, with a focus on supporting asylum seekers who are at risk of detention and removal. The paralegal will also work with our Rapid Response Legal Collaborative (RRLC). Under the supervision of a supervising attorney or supervising paralegal, the PSPP paralegal will contact individuals who are eligible for assistance; field referrals from partners; make appointments; conduct intake; support preparation of evidence and testimony for legal assistance; track and collect data; file affirmative and defensive applications; and advocate on behalf of individuals and their families who are detained. Applicants must be prepared to handle a high volume of correspondence and cases and interact with clients in a trauma-informed and professional manner.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Field referrals from internal and external PSPP and RRLC partners, conduct pre-screening of clients for basic eligibility requirements, track contacts made, and collect documents;
• Screen clients for eligibility for immigration relief and relay advice from attorneys;
• Advocate on behalf of clients and their families post-detention;
• Work with clients to obtain the documents necessary to apply for relief and/or advocate on their behalf, fill out appropriate forms, schedule appointments, and follow up with clients via phone, mail and email;
• Support legal research and draft legal documents under attorney supervision;
• Interview clients and witnesses, as appropriate, and assist in preparing forms, affidavits, and other supporting documents to be submitted to USCIS or the Immigration Court;
• Manage data entry in internal and external data management systems and assist with generating reports;
• Assist unit attorneys and case handlers with document translation and verbal interpretation;
• Assist unit attorneys in evidence preparation;
• Work with the Pro Bono and Volunteer Unit in organizing, scheduling, and staffing clinics;
• Provide internal referrals for financial counseling and other wraparound services, and external referrals to partner organizations;
• Maintain regular contact with PSPP and RRLC partners
• Any other job duties as required.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree or two years of immigration experience required
• Fluency in Spanish or other language common to our client population other than English required is requiredAbility to work collaboratively, communicate effectively, manage multiple tasks and creatively problem solve
• Experience working with immigrant communities of color, including LGBTQIA+ communities, youth and survivors of violence
• Excellent written, oral and analytical skills
• Excellent time and project management skills
• Commitment to social justice and anti-racism

NYLAG’s Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion

NYLAG is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. People of color, women, people with disabilities, immigrants, veterans, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer people, and those with lived experiences in the communities we serve are strongly encouraged to apply.

Employment type:

☒ Full-time

Professional Level:

☒ Entry Level

Salary Range:

NYLAG is a unionized workplace, and salaries are set pursuant to a collective bargaining agreement. The current salary range for this position is between $65,500-$67,741 .

Benefits: Medical, dental, vision, 401k, life insurance, long term disability, commuter benefits, flexible spending accounts (FSA) for Medical and Dependent care.

Application Instructions: Please save resume and cover letter on one pdf.

Covid Vaccination Policy: Please note, to safeguard the health and well-being of our employees and clients, NYLAG requires all employees to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19, unless a medical or religious exemption is approved.

NYLAG is committed to a hybrid work policy for staff whose work does not require their full-time presence in the office. NYLAG’s current policy is that most staff are required to work in NYLAG’s offices or do other in-person work at least two days each week. This policy is subject to change.