Immigration Counseling Service (ICS) provides affordable immigration legal services and free public educational forums in Oregon. www.ics-law.org
JOB TITLE: Paralegal
JOB PURPOSE: The Paralegal position uses independent judgment to provide case support to legal workers on a wide variety of immigration matters.
Immigration Counseling Service (ICS) provides affordable immigration legal services and free public educational forums in Oregon. www.ics-law.org
JOB TITLE: Paralegal
JOB PURPOSE: The Paralegal position uses independent judgment to provide case support to legal workers on a wide variety of immigration matters.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS, RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES:
Primary:
Provide case support on all immigration case types to legal workers in the office. Duties include, but are not limited to:
Prepare cover letters for all NVC and USCIS applications.
Prepare and track U visa certification requests including drafting of Form I-918B and supporting research.
PrepareI-601 and I-601A waiver packets, including preparing declarations, cover letters and exhibit lists, and communicating with clients. Initiate and complete processes for consular processing and family petitions and humanitarian applications such as VAWA and U-visa, including preparing client declarations and completing forms.
Initiate communication between ICS and myriad agencies, stakeholders and clients. Duties include contacting agencies and communicating with clients on a wide variety of matters, including serving as client contact before and following consular interviews; assisting with special issues requiring advocacy and agency communications.
Secondary:
Develop case strategies with legal workers. Duties include performing research; drafting memos and briefs.
Prepare court filings and asylum indexes.
Translate documents and interpreting during USCIS or law enforcement interviews.
Assist with a variety of public education and communication efforts as needed.
Assist with preparing grants and collecting and reporting grant data.
QUALIFICATIONS:
Minimum:
Extensive experience working with diverse cultures and underserved and underrepresented communities
University degree
At least three years’ experience in immigration law
Demonstrated cultural competency
Desired:
Experience working in a non- profit
SKILLS:
Minimum:
Fluency in written and spoken Spanish (a written and oral exam may be required)
Excellent writing and grammar skills
Excellent time management and multitasking skills
Strong knowledge of basic immigration law and procedures
Ability to conduct immigration legal research and good working knowledge of legal and immigration-related databases and resources
Basic computer skills (Word processing, email, and ability to write using proper grammar and spelling
Desired:
Excellent Microsoft Outlook tools skills
OTHER REQUIREMENTS: The position may require occasional driving of a motor vehicle. A valid Oregon driver’s license is required.
WORKING CONDITIONS AND PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: May require evening or weekend work, working with challenging clients; driving to centers where clients are located; may spend up to 7 hours per day using a computer (sit or stand), including keyboard and mouse, and using telephone; occasional lifting boxes of files or packages weighing up to 25 pounds.
EXEMPT/EXEMPT: This position is non-exempt
REPORTS TO: Executive Director
NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES SUPERVISED BY THIS POSITION: None
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY: ICS is an equal opportunity employer: ICS does not discriminate against applicants or employees based on race, color, sex, religion, age, national origin, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation or gender identity, family relationship, marital status, veteran status, military service, or any other classification protected by local, state, or federal law.
REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION: Any employee who needs accommodation to perform the essential functions of his or her job should communicate with the Executive Director. We will work with an employee to evaluate whether there is a reasonable accommodation that does not pose an undue hardship on the organization. Any proposed accommodation that creates an undue hardship on the organization, that does not allow the employee to perform the essential functions of the job, or that poses a serious safety risk to others that cannot be mitigated, is not a reasonable accommodation.
SALARY AND BENEFITS: ICS offers excellent employee benefits. Salary commensurate with experience.
DEADLINE: Immediate – applications will be accepted on a rolling basis, and we encourage applicants to submit applications as soon as possible in order to be considered.
HOW TO APPLY: Please send to [email protected] a current resume, contact information for 3 references, and a cover letter explaining your reasons for wanting the position (all in either Word or PDF format) addressed to:
ICS Hiring Committee
Immigration Counseling Service (ICS)
519 SW Park Avenue, Suite 610
Portland, OR 97205