AMERICORPS LEGAL ASSISTANT- SAN DIEGO

THE ORGANIZATION

Al Otro Lado is a binational legal services organization serving refugees and deportees in

Tijuana, Mexico and the counties of Los Angeles and San Diego. For more information about

our organization please visit us on our website at: https://alotrolado.org/ or visit us on social

media: Instagram and Twitter: @alotrolado_org; Facebook: Al Otro Lado.

THE AMERICORPS LEGAL ASSISTANT (SAN DIEGO) POSITION

This position is created in partnership between Al Otro Lado and Notre Dame Mission

Volunteers AmeriCorps (NDMVA). The AmeriCorps Legal Assistant position will be based out

of Al Otro Lado’s San Diego area office and will have the opportunity to work a hybrid

in-person/work from home model depending on the organization’s needs. The AmeriCorps Legal

Assistant will work under the direct supervision of the San Diego Lead Attorney in collaboration

with colleagues in the San Diego and Los Angeles offices.

JOB DUTIES

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:

● Engage in client communication with both detained and non-detained clients.

● Conduct intakes with and visit clients detained at the Otay Mesa Detention Center.

● Work with clients to gather documents and draft declarations.

● Research and become familiar with public benefits and local social services programs

available to clients and assist clients with referrals and enrollment.

● Other duties as assigned to support the mission of the organization.

QUALIFICATIONS

Applicants should meet Al Otro Lado’s qualifications:

● Training will occur on the job and no prior legal assistant experience is necessary.

● Fluency in Spanish is required.

● Ability to maintain confidentiality and discretion with sensitive information.

● Proficiency in, or willingness to learn, Google Workspace Apps, Microsoft Word, Adobe

Pro, Excel, and Al Otro Lado’s database management system.

● Be self-directed and self-reliant, flexible, innovative, and able to work in a fast-paced

setting.

● Demonstrate organizational skills and exceptional attention to detail.

● Ability to multitask and juggle numerous projects and tasks.

● Must be committed to immigrant rights and advocating for justice.

● Must be respectful of clients and colleagues in a diverse workplace environment.

● Must possess a valid driver’s license, insurance, and have use of a reliable vehicle for

purposes of visiting clients at the Otay Mesa Detention Center.

Applicants should also meet NDMVA’s qualifications:

● Be a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident.

● Be at least 21 years old.

● Have at least a high school diploma, GED, or commit to working towards a GED while

performing your service. A college degree is preferred.

● Be able to serve full-time (1,700 hours) over an eleven month period (40 hours/week).

BENEFITS

NDMVA members receive the following benefits:

● Forbearance on qualified student loans during the service period. The National Service

Trust will pay the interest that accrues on qualified loans during the time the member is in

service.

● Upon successful completion of your service period, members receive an education award.

The Segal Education Award will be $10,000 and can be applied to qualified student loans

or future education.

● A living allowance of $20,850 distributed biweekly over the 11 month service period.

● Members are eligible to enroll in The Corps Network Health Insurance Plan.

● Members are eligible to receive child care assistance, which covers up to the state’s local

market rate for child care fees.

● Attendance at the Mid-Year Conference where members can participate in workshops,

engage in reflections, and hear from keynote speakers. Members also attend regular team

meetings.

APPLICATION PROCESS

Applicants must submit an application to both the AmeriCorps portal and the NDMVA Los

Angeles service site. Please visit www.ndmva.org/apply/ for more information and to apply.

Only applicants selected for an interview will be contacted by Al Otro Lado. No phone calls

please. Al Otro Lado values diversity in the workplace and strongly encourages applications

from people of color, LGBTQ individuals, formerly incarcerated individuals, individuals with

disabilities, and members of underrepresented communities.