Legal Assistant – Removal Defense

Catholic Charities; Wilsonville (OR); On-site; USD 10,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

Catholic Charities is seeking a Legal Assistant for its Immigration Legal Services department in SE Portland. The ideal candidate will provide vital administrative support to attorneys, work directly with clients in both Spanish and English, and handle various clerical tasks, contributing to essential legal representation efforts.

Benefits

100% employer-paid health, dental, and vision benefits

Paid vacation, sick, and personal time

Retirement benefit with employer match

Employee Assistance Program

Public Service Loan Forgiveness eligibility

Qualifications

• 2 years previous legal assistance experience in immigration law.
• Ability to communicate effectively in Spanish and English.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office programs.

Responsibilities

• Assist attorneys in preparing and filing client applications.
• Manage correspondence with clients including scheduling and interpretation.
• Data entry and clerical tasks to support legal services.

Skills

Communication

Bilingual (Spanish & English)

Microsoft Office

Education

Associates Degree or equivalent experience

Job description

#ILS-011 – Legal Assistant – Removal Defense

Department: Immigration Legal Services

Employment Type: Full Time (40hrs/wk.); Non-exempt

Reports to: Attorney II

Location: SE Portland

Compensation: $20.17 - $22.29

At CCO We Take Care of Our People

• 100% employer-paid health, dental, vision, and alternative care benefits for the employee.
• 100% employer-paid long-term disability and life insurance.
• Paid vacation, sick, personal and 13 paid holidays.
• Retirement benefit with employer match and discretionary contribution.
• Employee Assistance Program.
• Catholic Charities of Oregon employees may qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness government-sponsored education loan repayment program.
• Full list of benefits can be found on this page under Resources. Please note these benefits are subject to change.

Our Culture:

We are proud of our healthy work culture at Catholic Charities of Oregon. We care for our employees so they can take care of others. Our approach includes everything from support for continued training and education to a strong focus on allowing each employee to own their job and become a thought leader in their area of service. Together, we work to make a concrete, hands-on difference in our community.

Who We Are:

Catholic Charities of Oregon was named by the Portland Business Journal as the #10 Non-profit in their list of 2023 Most Admired Companies. Founded in 1933, Catholic Charites of Oregon is one of Oregon's oldest nonprofit social service agencies whose mission is to assure that essential, life-saving services and supports are accessible to the most vulnerable Oregonians.

Who You Are:

The Legal Assistant position is a key support position for CCILS. This position provides administrative support to the attorneys and accredited representatives in preparing and filing client applicants, correspondence, and data entry.

What You Will Work On:

• Assist attorneys and accredited representatives in representing Immigration Legal Services clients in preparing
• Frequent written and oral correspondence with Spanish and non-Spanish speaking clients and potential clients, including: answering phone calls, providing information and referral assistance, scheduling and facilitating client appointments and interpretation services, if needed, fee collection, case preparation, closing cases and archiving client records.
• Data entry, scanning, copying, filing, mailings, scheduling, word processing and other clerical tasks.
• Assist in managing client records, including original client documents, case files and electronic records.

What You Bring:

Education, Certifications, and Licensure Requirements/Preferences

• Associates Degree or equivalent lived and or worked experience

Experience Requirements/Preferences

• 2 year's previous legal assistance experience in the immigration law field
• Ability to communicate concisely and effectively, both verbally and in writing in Spanish and English required.
• Ability to use Microsoft Office programs including Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint.

Background and MVR Screening:

Satisfactory results from pre-employment criminal and civil background screening required. Motor vehicle records (MVR) review required as needed.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER/VETERANS/DISABLED

Catholic Charities of Oregon is dedicated to promoting diversity, multiculturalism, and inclusion across our agency. Catholic Charities of Oregon recruits, employs, trains, compensates and promotes regardless of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, genetic information, equal pay, disability, age, veteran status, and other protected status as required by applicable law. Applicants and employees need not be Catholic. Complete Social Justice and Diversity statements can be found on this page under Resources.