Bilingual Immigrant Rights Paralegal
LONG ISLAND – CENTRAL ISLIP
Employment Status: Full-Time
FLSA Status: Exempt
Practice Group: Immigration Law
I. Organization Information
Empire Justice Center, a diverse and highly respected statewide legal services organization, seeks a Bilingual Immigrant Rights Paralegal for our Immigration Law practice group. This is an opportunity to join and grow in one of the most influential organizations serving marginalized low-income individuals and families in New York State.
Empire Justice Center attracts and employs a diverse team of dedicated, determined, and passionate advocates who significantly impact the lives of low-income New Yorkers. We succeed through direct legal representation, high-impact litigation, and legislative and administrative advocacy. As an organization, we provide top-notch training and technical assistance to other advocates to ensure fairness and justice for New Yorkers. We thrive on our commitment to supporting justice for populations that have historically experienced high levels of oppression. These populations include racially diverse individuals and families experiencing poverty, housing insecurity, immigration issues, and domestic violence. Additionally, the organization advocates for people with disabilities, members of the LGBTQ community, and school-age children facing discrimination and violations of their civil rights in schools.
Our offices in Rochester, Albany, Westchester County, and Long Island offer staff an exciting, dynamic, inclusive working environment with a solid commitment to work/life balance, teamwork, diversity, wellness, and personal/professional development.
II. Position Summary
Empire Justice Center is pleased to announce an opening for a Bilingual Immigrant Rights Paralegal. This position will be a critical member of our growing Immigration Practice Group working on the Victim of Crime Act (VOCA) grant, a position funded by the New York State Office of Victim Services. The primary function of the Bilingual Immigrant Rights Paralegal is to assist and support the Immigration Attorneys in administrative oversight of the project, and all aspects of direct representation in immigration law matter for victims of crimes.
III. Essential Duties and Responsibilities
• Travel to and work in the Long Island Central Islip office four days a week is required to meet client and organizational needs.
o This position is eligible for a hybrid work request under the organizational policy.
• Must demonstrate high comfort and commitment to working with disadvantaged clientele;
• Schedule and follow-up of client and related meetings;
• Provide case support and document and data management;
• Maintain the highest standard of ethics and professionalism;
• Arrange and schedule other language access services, as appropriate;
• Provide quality Spanish/English interpretation and translation as needed;
• Develop a thorough understanding of the general requirements for grant reporting;
• Timely completion of tasks and assignments while working in the office and hybrid;
• Work well both independently and as a member of a team of attorneys, paralegals, and support staff;
• Make appropriate referrals for crime victims seeking services not provided by Empire Justice Center;
• Efficiently and accurately conduct administrative tasks associated with the Immigration Attorney’s responsibilities;
• Participate in immigration law-related training to understand fundamental immigration legal rights and remedies;
• Complete all work accurately and timely, meeting or exceeding the caseload target required by grant sources;
• If the paralegal is Department of Justice (DOJ) accredited, they will provide direct representation, under attorney supervision, in immigration matters;
• Work with community groups, conducting outreach on the availability of services, and help to develop and distribute community education materials;
• Work closely with your assigned supervisor and participate in regular supervision meetings, work plan development, and grant deliverable management;
• Participate, as requested, in the overall Crime Victims Legal Network (CVLN) and ensure that all referrals from CVLN are handled promptly and appropriately;
• Provide client support and advocacy with other related matters, including but not limited to filing Office of Victim Services (OVS) Victim Compensation applications.
• Actively participate in the overall VOCA-funded Immigration Practice Group team and the work of the overall Practice Group as assigned and otherwise be an active member of the organization.
• Conduct intake for crime victims seeking legal assistance, being prompt in returning client telephone calls or emails and tracking documents, ensuring case management systems are appropriately utilized, and individual case data is up to date on all clients.
• Please note that all positions will supervise other practice group members if needed.
• Due to limited resources, all staff are expected to perform administrative and other support-related duties to serve our clients and fulfill our mission as a non-profit legal services organization.
• Other duties as assigned by your supervisor and/or to meet the organization’s needs.
IV. Minimum Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities)
• A background check is required to perform in this position.
• Minimum of 3 years of relevant professional experience;
• Experience in and commitment to working with diverse and impoverished clientele;
• Exceptional recordkeeping and communication skills;
• Bilingual (Spanish/English interpretation and translation) is required;
• Ability to collaborate and work within a team;
• Ability to manage immigration inquiries, gather required information, and inform clients of case profess;
• Document drafting
V. Salary
The referenced pay range/scale represents this job's estimated minimum and maximum compensation. Individual annual salaries/hourly rates will be set within the job's compensation range and determined by considering factors including, but not limited to, education, experience, qualifications, expertise of the individual, market data, and internal equity considerations.
The salary for a paralegal with 3 years (s) of experience is $36,784, and the salary for a paralegal with 15 years of experience is $54,256.
VI. Benefits
We are an organization that supports and encourages a work/life balance. Empire Justice Center offers a generous benefit package including:
• Health insurance (employer pays 100% premium for a high quality, co-pay plan).
• 403(b) eligibility with 1% employer match and additional employer contribution.
• 3% Non-Elective Annual Contribution made by Empire Justice Center.
o Benefit eligible after 12 months of employment.
• Generous vacation, sick, personal, and holiday time
o 14 Paid Holidays
o Vacation: 10.5 hours/month; Sick: 7 hours/month; Personal: 35 hours/year
• Bilingual salary enhancement for qualifying employees.
• Loan Repayment Assistance Program.
• Voluntary Supplemental Disability.
• Dental Insurance (employee paid).
• Vision Insurance (employee paid).
• $150K Group Term Life Insurance.
• Generous Bereavement Leave.
• 35-hour full-time work week.
• NYS Short-Term Disability.
• FSA Eligibility.
Empire Justice Center is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer and strongly desires a diverse and inclusive workforce. Empire Justice Center provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants. It prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type, specifically - race, color, religion, age (40 or older), sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, disability status, genetics, neurodiversity, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.
TO APPLY: Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. If interested, e-mail a resume, writing sample, and contact information for three professional references (one supervisor required) who are aware of this application to employment@empirejustice.org. Please include “Bilingual Immigrant Rights Paralegal, First/Last Name” in the email's subject line. No phone calls or hard copies, please. Incomplete applications will not be considered.
If reasonable accommodations are needed, please contact Mercedece Love, Human Resources and Compliance Manager, at mlove@empirejustice.org. Empire Justice Center is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, Empire Justice Center ensures that persons with disabilities and/or communication barriers have reasonable accommodations.
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