Paralegal - Immigrant Victims Representation

NOW HIRING: Paralegal - Immigrant Victims Representation Project (IVRP)

Location: Fall River, MA
Salary Range: $22.50/hr

Join Our Mission-Driven Team

The Legal Department IVRP (Immigrant Victims Representation Project) provides free and low-cost legal services to low-income immigrants in Southeastern Massachusetts.  Representing immigrants and their families applying for U visas, T visas, VAWA applications, DACA, TPS, Special Immigrant Juvenile status, green cards, defense from deportation, asylum protection, citizenship and other lawful statuses.   

The IVRP Paralegal will assist the IVRP Staff Attorney in representing victims and survivors of crime, trafficking, and abuse in applications for U and T visas, VAWA applications, as well as the above-mentioned services. Casework will involve legal assistance in both the affirmative and defensive (immigration court) contexts, as well as, to a lesser extent, connecting survivors with wraparound victim/trauma services. Representing these survivors requires compassion, empathy, and dedication to creating a safe space for discourse.  Additionally, the IVRP Paralegal will support all activities related to the daily operations of the department, while promoting agency culture, respect and dignity. The Paralegal is responsible for ensuring the functions of the program are met while providing services that are safe, timely, effective, efficient, equitable and client-centered.

Key Responsibilities

• Must demonstrate honesty, integrity, and professionalism at all times
• Must exemplify our mission in action:  which is helping those in need and treating others with compassion, dignity and respect.
• May be required to assist in community outreach and advocacy efforts
• Expected to communicate with professionalism and compassion
• Must support the lead attorney or advocate and will not maintain an independent caseload
• Must be able to take direction and carry out case plans independently
• Must maintain client contacts and follow-up as needed
• Must communicate with clients on a daily basis in English and Spanish
• Must be willing and able to translate documents as needed
• Must comply with all aspects of professional ethics and professional boundaries
• Must help prepare and submit forms, petitions and motions, as well as working with clients to gather strong evidence
• Must be able to take initiative, function independently and work collaboratively
• Must maintain an effective working relationship with colleagues, supervisors, employees and other agency programs
• Must attend all agency, program and community related meetings as directed
• Responsible for accurate and timely submission of required documentation, and  reporting requirements for the program  
• Must exhibit strong assessment skills, excellent documentation skills, organization, and communication skills
• Must meet with Staff Attorney for weekly supervision and updates  
• Must respond to inquiries, phone calls, correspondence, and e-mails in a timely manner
• Must complete all tasks as assigned by the Staff Attorney
• Work with the Staff Attorney on any additional projects/matters for which he/she requests related to the program
• Attend all required program trainings and assigned in-service trainings to comply with annual training requirements
• Comply with all safety regulations, CCFR policies and adhere to agency confidentiality policy
• Report all safety and ethical concerns to the Legal Director
• Responsible for reporting all incidents to the Legal Director

Qualifications

• Bi-lingual required (Spanish preferred)
• A reliable, insured vehicle and valid driver’s license
• Experience or training working with survivors of trauma, crime, or abuse preferred
  
• Enthusiasm and commitment to serving low-income immigrant communities, with experience in non-profit sector preferred
  
• Excellent organizational and written and verbal communication skills
  
• Strong attention to detail and the ability to manage multiple cases simultaneously
  
• Computer skills with the ability to perform daily tasks within LawLogix Case Management system, Outlook, Microsoft Word, Microsoft Office Suite, PowerPoint and Excel
  

Working Conditions

The work environment described, represents what may be encountered while performing the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to assist individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.

• Travels by automobile and is exposed to varying weather conditions
  
• Must be able to travel to Boston, satellite offices and any assigned sites as required
  
• Sits, stands, bends, lifts, grasps, kneels, crouches, reaches, climbs, and moves intermittently during the business hours
  
• Works in office areas as well as throughout individual CCFR facilities including the community
  
• May be exposed to emotionally upset clients, family members, staff and visitors
  
• May be exposed to frequent interruptions, loud noise, extreme heat/cold
  
• Spends time greeting clients/family members, courteously answering telephone calls and responding to emails.
  
• Ability to make sensory perceptions to evaluate environmental conditions
  

Why Work With Us?

At Catholic Charities, you’ll play a key role in empowering staff who serve vulnerable individuals and families throughout the community. We offer:

• A collaborative, supportive team environment
• Opportunities for ongoing professional development
• The ability to make a meaningful impact every day
• A workplace grounded in compassion, dignity, and service