POSITION TITLE: Legal Assistant
REPORTS TO: Lead Attorney (Asylum)
HOURS: Full Time
WORKSITE: Omaha, Nebraska
COMPENSATION Pay rate starting at $25.00 per hour, commensurate with experience
EMPLOYEE BENEFITS Unlimited paid time off (including employee birthday); 9 paid holidays with year-end holiday break
Medical, dental, vision, life, and AD&D insurance; 403b retirement plan with an automatic 5% contribution; and FMLA
Employee Wellness Program (including enriching snacks, support groups, and engaging activities)
Employee Assistance Program (EAP) (includes life event referral program, 5 free counseling sessions, financial and legal resources, and employee discount/savings program)
Yearly stipends for employee development opportunities
Relocation assistance; travel and expense reimbursement
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 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 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.
POSITION DESCRIPTION
The Legal Assistant is an integral member of CIRA’s legal team and will provide administrative, research, and legal support to the Asylum team. The Legal Assistant will report directly to the Lead Attorney and work closely with other attorneys and legal staff to support the representation of asylum-seeking clients.
The core functions of this position include: (1) legal and case support; (2) country conditions research and documentation; (3) client communication and support; (4) document translation and interpretation support; and (5) education and advocacy.
The Legal Assistant will support attorneys with preparing and organizing legal documents and case files, conducting country conditions and other legal research, and gathering and organizing supporting documentation and evidence. The Legal Assistant will also translate client and legal documents and perform other general legal assistant and administrative duties related to asylum cases. The position requires strong attention to detail, organization, cultural competency, confidentiality, and the ability to work effectively with clients from diverse backgrounds.
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, and 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 logging all new activities, filing receipts, correspondence, and filings in the case file, and tracking reminders and deadlines as described 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 email and mail…