Legal Assistant (Lincoln, NE) - Center for Immigrant & Refugee Advancement

POSITION TITLE:       Legal Assistant

WORKSITE:               Lincoln, Nebraska

ORGANIZATIONAL DESCRIPTION: 

In 2022, Immigrant Legal Center and Refugee Empowerment Center merged, and the combined nonprofit organization is now CIRA, the Center for Immigrant & Refugee Advancement. Our diverse team of experts provides exceptional, compassionate legal representation, refugee services, and social work services. We take on the most complex immigration cases, resettle refugees from around the world, and ensure all clients have access to much-needed resources. Operating in 10 different offices from Council Bluffs to Scottsbluff, our team of more than 100 full-time employees helps communities welcome immigrants and refugees as they build their lives here. We assist with all forms of family and humanitarian-based immigration, and we never turn any family away due to inability to pay. To learn more, visit CIRAconnect.org.

POSITION DESCRIPTION:  An CIRA Legal Assistant is an integral part of CIRA’s legal team, specifically the CLINIC team. The core functions of this position are (1) legal support; (2) client communication; (3) education and advocacy; and (4) reception and operational support. The ideal candidate for this position is a leader, passionate about providing excellent services to clients with compassion, integrity, neighborliness, and tenacity.    

You will receive benefits by being a part of the fastest growing non-profit law firm in Nebraska. First, we have the most competitive wages, and you will be eligible for benefits on your first day! We offer, dental, vision, life, AD&D insurance, and an excellent full-coverage health insurance plan. In addition, we have an employee assistance program, unlimited PTO, 9 paid holidays, year-end holiday break, and a day off during your individual birthday! We also offer up to 12 weeks of FMLA for qualifying employees and contribute 5% automatically to each employee’s 403(b) retirement plan. Lastly, we provide relocation assistance as well as travel or expense reimbursements. 

CORE FUNCTIONS OF THE POSITION:

Legal Support

• Work with attorneys, DOJ-accredited representatives, and staff who contribute to serving clients who may qualify for a form of immigration relief.
• Assist CIRA attorneys and DOJ-accredited representatives by preparing, copying, scanning documents, and sending and tracking outgoing mail.
• Assist CIRA attorneys and DOJ-accredited representatives with forms, statements, cover letters, motions, petitions, and briefs. 
• Create, organize, and maintain complete and accurate client records in physical files and on CIRA’s case management software, including, but not limited to, logging all new activities, filing receipts, correspondence, and filings in the case file, tracking reminders and deadlines, etc., described in detail in CIRA’s Legal Procedures Manual. 
• Effectively and efficiently track open/closed cases using CIRA’s case management software.
• Assist in compiling and preparing case management reports.

Client Communication:

• Maintain contact with CIRA clients and promptly return calls in accordance with the Legal Procedures Manual.
• Assist CIRA attorneys and DOJ-accredited representatives with drafting, translating, and sending e-mail and mail correspondence.
• Keep clients aware of the status of their case. 
• Interpret for client meetings or appearances before administrative bodies.

Advocacy and Education:

• Contribute to intake, outreach, and education programs related to forms of immigration legal relief and advocate for the rights of immigrants.
• Refer clients to proper community resources.
• Communicate and advocate for needs of clients.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Dedication to CIRA’s Core Values and Mission.
• Fluency in Spanish is required.
• Strong commitment to public interest legal services and to the enfranchisement and empowerment of immigrant communities.
• Ability to work sensitively with numerous staff, volunteers, and clients having diverse personalities, lifestyles, cultures, political orientations, and faiths.
• Previous experience within the legal field is preferred but not required.
• Ability to take initiative and make difficult decisions when necessary.
• Excellent writer.
• Exceptional communication and people skills.
• Strong cultural awareness and competency is required.
• Commitment to ongoing learning, both as an individual and as part of a department, to value, promote, and engage into an inclusive work environment and community.
• Ability to work in a team and handle multiple tasks in an organized and timely manner.
• Impeccable integrity, positive attitude, mission-driven, and self-directed.
• Ability to think strategically, problem-solve, exercise good judgment, and lead change.
• Expert in using Office 365 applications (ex. Word, Outlook Excel, SharePoint, etc.) and strong ability to learn new software.

COMPENSATION

• Starting annual salary of at least $45,000.
• Excellent benefits including:
  • Unlimited paid time off (including employee birthday); 9 paid holidays with year-end holiday break
  • Medical, dental, vision, life, and AD&D insurance; employee assistance program; 403b retirement plan with an automatic 5% match; and FMLA
  • Yearly stipends for employee development opportunities
  • Relocation assistance; travel and expense reimbursement

TO APPLY

• Please upload and send your resume, cover letter, a legal writing sample, and three professional references all in PDF format.

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