Legal Assistant

This position is represented by the OPEIU union and subject to the terms and conditions of a collective bargaining agreement.

**IRC Background**: The mission of the International Rescue Committee (IRC) is to help people whose lives and livelihoods are shattered by conflict and disaster to survive, recover and gain control of their future. Founded in 1933, the IRC has a presence in over 40 countries and 28 offices in the United States; the IRC leads the way from harm to home. IRC provides a continuum of services including intensive case management, employment and economic empowerment services, immigration assistance, health and wellness programming, and education support to refugee and immigrant families in Texas. IRC Dallas is committed to providing trauma-informed, equitable, and accessible services and maintaining and evolving a diverse, inclusive, and supportive workplace.

**JOB OVERVIEW**: IRC Dallas seeks a bilingual Legal Assistant to join a new legal services program that will provide legal representation to unaccompanied children who are in custody or have been released from custody of the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. The Legal Assistant will support the Children’s Legal Services team to conduct intakes that identify immigration relief options such as asylum, special immigrant juvenile status, or other forms of humanitarian relief, and assist with preparing and filing immigration applications and petitions. The bilingual Legal Assistant will have stellar interpersonal and trauma-informed listening skills, be highly organized and have excellent attention to detail, and be able to work both in a collaborative team environment and independently on assignments.

**MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES**:

- Coordinate case referrals and facilitate initial client meetings with attorneys, set up new case files (both electronic and physical files), and input data in relevant case management systems to ensure accurate and timely tracking of cases;
- Assist in conducting intakes or follow-up meetings with unaccompanied child clients, gathering supporting documents, and preparing translations;
- Conduct visits with clients at the ORR shelter, LTFC facility, URM facilties, or Administrative Placement facilities in the Dallas-Fort Worth area to facilitate legal case preparation;
- Assist in preparing filings for State Court, Immigration Court, Asylum Office, and USCIS;
- Prepare affidavits, legal correspondence, and other supporting documents for the Staff Attorney, Managing Attorney, and other legal staff to advance the client’s legal immigration case;
- Provide interpretation for clients at USCIS interviews or State Court, as needed;
- Travel to State Court or Immigration Court within the Dallas-Fort Worth area as needed for filings or case preparation;
- Coordinate with other IRC program staff to provide wrap-around services, where appropriate, and prepare referral packages for children who move out of local jurisdiction;
- Support development of partnerships that have potential to bring valuable supports to clients;
- Communicate with clients to provide case status updates as directed by the attorney, request documents and other information, schedule appointments, and manage other communication as needed;
- Translate documents from Spanish to English;
- Track deadlines for the Children’s Legal Services team and prepare monthly reports;
- Process and record daily mail; assist with monthly data reporting submissions; prepare monthly invoicing documentation; track deadlines for the Children’s Legal Services team; and prepare monthly reports as needed; and
- Other duties as assigned to support the Children's Legal Services program.

**Job Requirements**:

- An undergraduate degree or equivalent work experience in the legal field;
- Fluency in both Spanish and English required;
- Experience in a legal setting highly desirable, but not required;
- Experience working with children highly desirable, but not required;
- Excellent attention to detail, ability to multi-task, and comfort working in a fast-paced environment;
- Demonstrated ability to work independently, solve problems and exercise sound judgement;
- Evidence of capacity to be a strong team member in a highly collaborative social service environment;
- Deep commitment to working with immigrants, children, asylum seekers;
- Trauma-informed and sensitive listening and communication skills;
- Personal integrity in handling ethically complex and confidential situations;
- Commitment to anti-racism and ongoing learning; and
- Strong computer literacy, research, and analysis skills.
- Ability and willingness to travel frequently in and around the service area to attend hearings and interviews and engage with clients and community partners.

**Working Environment**:

- Standard office environment with occasional participation in community outreach and legal assistance events; hybrid, flexible work options available.
- May require occas