Immigration Unit Paralegal

Cook County Government; Chicago, Northern (IL, KY); Hybrid; USD 63,000 - 65,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental, and Vision

Pension Plan

Deferred Compensation Program

Employee Assistance Program

Paid Holidays, Vacation, and Sick Time

Voluntary Benefits

Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)

Hybrid work environment with telecommu

Job summary

Cook County Government is seeking an Immigration Unit Paralegal who is bilingual in Spanish to support noncitizen cases under Padilla v. Kentucky. You will organize documents, monitor deadlines, and manage checklists for the unit's work with Assistant Public Defenders.

The role requires a paralegal background, Spanish communication skills, and strong organizational abilities to handle multiple immigration-related duties within Office of the Public Defender.

Qualifications

• Associate’s degree or ABA-accredited paralegal program.
• Two years of full-time paralegal experience.
• Spanish language proficiency required (verbal and written).
• Complete any required translation exercise during interview.

Responsibilities

• Organize documents and manage deadlines for immigration cases.
• Maintain and file records in paper and case management systems.
• Respond to hotline inquiries and coordinate with specialists.
• Assist Padilla attorney with case preparation and logistics.

Skills

Spanish language

Legal research

Case management

Communication skills

Attention to detail

Education

Associate's degree

ABA-accredited paralegal program

Tools

Microsoft Word

Excel

LexisNexis

Job description

Job Description - IMMIGRATION UNIT PARALEGAL - BILINGUAL SPANISH -AFSCME 3696 (OFFICE OF THE PUBLIC DEFENDER) (00139369)

Job Description

IMMIGRATION UNIT PARALEGAL - BILINGUAL SPANISH -AFSCME 3696 (OFFICE OF THE PUBLIC DEFENDER)

Requisition ID

00139369

Job Posting

Aug 19, 2026, 9:28:23 PM

Closing Date

Sep 9, 2026, 4:59:00 AM

Full-time Shift Start Time : 8:30 A.M. Shift End Time : 4:30 P.M.

Organization

Offices Under the President

Work Locations

Cook County Administration 69 W. Washington

Cook County

Offices

Under The President

Administrative Hearings

Auditor

Bureau of Administration

Bureau of Economic Development

Bureau of Finance

Bureau of Human Resources

Bureau of Technology

Facilities

Office of the President

Job Summary

Under the supervision of the Immigration Unit Attorney Supervisor, provides case-specific advice to Assistant Public Defenders representing noncitizen clients, as required by the Supreme Court's decision in Padilla v. Kentucky. Supports the Unit's Padilla attorney's work and contemplated direct representation work through the organization of documents, the monitoring of deadlines and the management of checklists. Maintains, indexes and files documents for record keeping purposes. Organizes and maintains documents in paper and in office case management system. Maintains hotline and responds to communications from individuals seeking immigration unit representation. Works closely with mitigation specialists; case workers; mental health professionals; and community advocate, when appropriate. Performs other Immigration unit duties as assigned. This position will work solely on immigration related functions.

Minimum Qualifications

• Graduation from an accredited college or university with an Associate’s degree.
• Two (2) years’ full-time work experience as a Paralegal.
• Must communicate in Spanish (both in verbal and written formats).

-OR-

• Successful completion of a certified paralegal training program accredited by the American Bar Association.
• Two (2) years’ full-time work experience as a Paralegal.
• Must communicate in Spanish (both in verbal and written formats).

**At the time of the interview, candidates may be required to complete an exercise demonstrating Spanish translation proficiency level. This exercise will be a part of the selection process.**

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and Other Characteristics

• Extensive knowledge and use of legal research databases.
• Thorough knowledge of immigration and/or criminal law.
• General knowledge of record keeping and report preparation methods, practices and procedures.
• Strong skills utilizing Microsoft Word, Excel and Lexis-Nexis software and/or the latest software used for legal research.
• Skill conducting legal research methods utilizing both paper and electronic resources.
• Skill interviewing, obtaining facts and evaluating relevant information from clients and their families. Strong database management skills.
• Ability to clearly articulate through written documents concise analysis of assigned case material.
• Ability to communicate effectively with tact and courtesy and to conduct oneself in a professional manner.
• Ability to be able to work on multiple projects under tight deadlines.
• Ability to organize and prioritize caseloads, calendar, and work assignments.
• Ability to gather information and communicate Office procedures.
• Ability to work independently.
• Ability to identify relevant judicial decisions, statutes, and other pertinent material.
• Detail-oriented with the ability to multi-task.
• Strong organizational skills.
• Commitment to maintaining confidentiality of attorney-client relationship.
• Excellent oral communication and writing skills.

Physical Requirements

Light Work Light Work involves exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally or up to 10 pounds of force frequently, or a negligible amount of force constantly to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects. Even though the weight lifted may be only a negligible amount, a job/occupation is rated Light Work when it requires: (1) walking or standing to a significant degree; (2) sitting most of the time while pushing or pulling arm or leg controls; or (3) working at a production rate pace while constantly pushing or pulling materials even though the weight of the materials is negligible.

The duties listed are not set forth for purposes of limiting the assignment of work. They are not to be construed as a complete list of the many duties normally to be performed under a job title or those to be performed temporarily outside an employee's normal line of work.

Degrees awarded outside of the United States with the exception of those awarded in one of the United States’ territories and Canada must be credentialed by an approved U.S. credential evaluation service belonging to the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) or the Association of International Credential Evaluators (AICE). Original credentialing documents must be presented at time of interview.

Group and Voluntary Benefits Offered

• Medical, Dental, and Vision
• Basic Term Life Insurance
• Pension Plan
• Deferred Compensation Program
• Employee Assistance Program
• Paid Holidays, Vacation, and Sick Time
• Voluntary Benefits
• You May Qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF)
• For further information on our excellent benefits package, please click on the following link: http://www.cookcountyrisk.com/
• For eligible employees the County has a hybrid work environment which allows employees telecommuting and flexible scheduling options.

Salary Range: $46.267/Hourly

VETERAN’S PREFERENCE

When applying for employment with Cook County Government, preference is given in the application process to honorably discharged Veterans who have served in the Armed Forces of the United States for more than 180 consecutive days, or during War Time. To take advantage of this preference a Veteran must:

IDENTIFY THEMSELVES AS A VETERAN ON THEIR EMPLOYMENT APPLICATION BY ANSWERING YES TO THE QUESTION “Are you a military veteran?”

ATTACH A COPY OF THEIR DD 214, DD 215 or NGB 22 (NOTICE OF SEPARATION) AT TIME OF APPLICATION FILING. IF YOU HAVE MULTIPLE DD 214S, 215S, OR NGB 22S, PLEASE SUBMIT THE ONE WITH THE LATEST DATE. COAST GUARD MUST SUBMIT A CERTIFIED COPY OF THE MILITARY SEPARATION FROM EITHER THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION (BEFORE 911) OR THE DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY (AFTER 911).

VETERAN MUST PROVIDE ORIGINAL APPLICABLE DISCHARGE PAPERS AT TIME OF INTERVIEW.

*Must be legally authorized to work in the United States without sponsorship.

*This position requiressuccessful completion of post-offer tests, which may include a background check, drug screen and medical examination.

Falsification of any information in the application process will result in disqualification, dismissal after hire, and/or placement on the County’s Ineligible for Rehire List for a period of two (2) or five (5) years. For current County employees, such falsification may result in discipline, up to and including termination, and placement on the County’s Ineligible for Rehire List for a period of two (2) or five (5) years. See Cook County Code of Ordinances, Article II, Sections 44-54Unlawful Practices Relating to Employees and Employment - Penalty, 44-56Political Discrimination; Cook County Employment Plan, Section V.N.Pre-Interview License and Certification Verification; Supplemental Policy No. 2014-2.13Ineligible for Rehire List; and Cook County Personnel Rules 3.3(b) (7) (8) (18).

COOK COUNTY IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

NOTE: As an internal candidate, should you be offered the position, salary allocations shall abide by the Cook County Personnel Rules.