Administrative Assistant, Immigration Legal Services

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world's worst humanitarian crises, helping to restore health, safety, education, economic wellbeing, and power to people devastated by conflict and disaster. Founded in 1933 at the call of Albert Einstein, the IRC is one of the world's largest international humanitarian non-governmental organizations (INGO), at work in more than 40 countries and 29 U.S. cities helping people to survive, reclaim control of their future and strengthen their communities. A force for humanity, IRC employees deliver lasting impact by restoring safety, dignity and hope to millions. If you're a solutions-driven, passionate change-maker, come join us in positively impacting the lives of millions of people world-wide for a better future.

Job Overview:

The Legal Administrative Assistant will serve as a key point of contact for clients with the Immigration Program and provide administrative support to the team. This position involves working directly with clients in a fast-paced, multicultural environment while conducting preliminary screenings, scheduling appointments, and providing referrals when cases fall outside the organization’s scope. The Legal Administrative Assistant will also manage client communications, maintain case files, assist with clerical portions of USCIS forms under supervision, and provide language interpretation as needed. This position reports to the Immigration Program Manager and works closely with all members of the immigration team

Major Responsibilities:

• Conduct preliminary screenings for walk-in clients seeking legal immigration services to determine whether their matter falls within the organization’s scope.
• Assist with scheduling appointments for potential immigration clients at the Los Angeles Public Library’s New Americans Center; provide a referral list to those whose cases we cannot take.
• Answer phone calls, emails and text messages from clients and resolve common client concerns, follow protocols to appropriately relay questions requiring legal analysis or more detailed case information to team members; and log all client communications in the case management software.
• Open and log all mail (USCIS/NVC correspondence) into the case management software.
• Create and maintain virtual and/or physical case files according to standardized model.
• Scan and upload clear and complete copies of case-related documents to Box; print and prepare clear and complete copies of materials to be submitted to USCIS as part of legal filings.
• Understand and strictly abide by rules of confidentiality and protocols regarding unauthorized practice of law.
• Assists with clerical portions of USCIS forms, including entering biographical data and assembling application packets under attorney or legal assistant supervision
• Manage the immigration program’s general email inbox by responding to inquiries, providing information to those seeking assistance, and consulting with the supervisor on unclear cases or program-related questions
• Provide language interpretation as needed to support communication between clients and staff.
• Other tasks and projects assigned by the Immigration Program Manager

Job Requirements:

• Bilingual English and Ukrainian, Russian or Spanish. Fluency in spoken and written English.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Knowledge of and / or interest to learn about immigration legal services.
•  Experience working and communicating effectively in a multi-cultural environment is required; experience with individuals who are Limited English Proficient (LEP) highly desired.
• Self-starter with strong problem-solving skills combined with a solid ability to prioritize duties, coordinate time effectively, and excel in a client-facing, fast-paced position.
• Interest and ability to contribute both independently and as a key team member.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office (i.e. Word, Excel, and Outlook) and web-based applications (i.e. Google forms, Box, ETO, databases).

Work Environment:

• This position operates in a hybrid setting, with work performed in the office in Glendale, Los Angeles Public Library’s New Americans Center locations; regular evening or weekend activities as needed.
• Access to reliable transportation to travel and work off-site at programs (e.g. libraries, partner events, etc.).

Compensation: (Pay Range: $19 - $24) Posted pay ranges apply to US-based candidates. Ranges are based on various factors including the labor market, job type, internal equity, and budget.  Exact offers are calibrated by work location, individual candidate experience and skills relative to the defined job requirements.

PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS

All International Rescue Committee workers must adhere to the core values and principles outlined in IRC Way - Standards for Professional Conduct. Our Standards are Integrity, Service, Equality and Accountability. In accordance with these values, the IRC operates and enforces policies on Safeguarding, Conflicts of Interest, Fiscal Integrity, and Reporting Wrongdoing and Protection from Retaliation. IRC is committed to take all necessary preventive measures and create an environment where people feel safe, and to take all necessary actions and corrective measures when harm occurs. IRC builds teams of professionals who promote critical reflection, power sharing, debate, and objectivity to deliver the best possible services to our clients.

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US Benefits: We offer a comprehensive and highly competitive set of benefits. In the US, these include: 10 sick days, 10 US holidays, 20-25 paid time off days depending on role and tenure, medical insurance starting at $143 per month, dental starting at $6.50 per month, and vision starting at $5 per month, FSA for healthcare and commuter costs, a 403b retirement savings plans with immediately vested matching, disability & life insurance, and an Employee Assistance Program which is available to our staff and their families to support counseling and care in times of crisis and mental health struggles. 

Equal Opportunity Employer: IRC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. IRC considers all applicants on the basis of merit without regard to race, sex, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, disability or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.