Outreach/Program Coordinator Regional Immigration Assistance Center

100KCrossing; Buffalo (NY); On-site; USD 54,000 - 58,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision benefits

Paid time off

401(k) retirement plan

Parking and transit benefits

Job summary

The Legal Aid Bureau of Buffalo, Inc. seeks an Outreach/Program Coordinator to support the RIAC team, handling communications, outreach, and administrative duties for criminal defense and immigration matters in Western New York.

This union, 35-hour week, is primarily on-site at 290 Main St., Buffalo, with travel within the 7th and 8th judicial districts. You will coordinate outreach activities, draft online content, manage calendars, assist attorneys, and help with data processes and reporting.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required; two years related experience acceptable with an Associate’s degree.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills; ability to travel.
• Ability to work on-site in Buffalo and travel within the districts.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with program leadership to develop outreach communications and activities, including online content, newsletters, and correspondence.
• Manage communications calendars, workflows, and timelines for materials.
• Support RIAC operations: facilitate outreach, coordinate data processes, monitor reporting obligations, assist day-to-day activities.

Skills

Outreach & communications

Project coordination

Stakeholder liaison

Data entry & case management

Training & CLE coordination

Education

Bachelor’s degree or higher

Tools

Case management software

Microsoft Office

Database management

Job description

The Legal Aid Bureau of Buffalo, Inc. has an exciting opportunity for an Outreach/Program Coordinator to contribute to our impact on Western New York communities. This union position is part of the Regional Immigration Assistance Center (RIAC) team, which offers legal advice, training, and other technical support to appointed criminal defense counsel and Family Court attorneys representing non-citizen clients in the 7th and 8th judicial districts. The RIAC team may also assist with appeals, and the analysis of NY CPL § 440.10 motions or other post-conviction relief for ineffective assistance of counsel if a client was not properly informed of the immigration consequences of a plea. The RIAC team also provides legal referrals when appropriate. These services are available to all mandated attorneys serving clients in Criminal and Family Court proceedings. Under the direction of the RIAC Managing Attorney, this position is initially primarily responsible for supporting the program’s operations and service delivery through communications and outreach, operational, and administrative duties. The Outreach/Program Coordinator will work collaboratively with attorneys to meet the needs of the program and the Unit while maintaining confidentiality. This position is required to travel within the 7th and 8th judicial districts (approximately 15-20 percent). Given the nature of our work, this Outreach/Program Coordinator position is expected to work primarily on-site from our office located at 290 Main St., Buffalo, NY.

Who are we?

The Legal Aid Bureau of Buffalo, Inc. has been providing access to justice and due process to the most vulnerable individuals, children and families in the Western New York Community for over 100 years. Using a holistic approach, we provide quality, client-centered legal representation in a vast range of criminal and civil matters such as mandated criminal defense, mandated child and youth representation, consumer credit, employment, education, family, post-conviction, appeals, housing, employment, and immigration. Please visit our website to learn more.

Why Join Us?

• Competitive Pay: Salary ranging from $53,518 to $58,121 commensurate with relevant experience.
• Mission-Drive Culture: Supportive work environment. Opportunities to learn and grow through collaboration with colleagues. Enjoy a full-time, 35-hour work week, and build flexibility into your schedule within the parameters of our collective bargaining agreement.
• Comprehensive Benefits Package:
  • Medical, dental, and vision benefits for you and your dependents.
  • Extensive paid time off programs – holiday, vacation, personal, sick time, and more
  • Paid parenthood leave plan.
  • 401(k) retirement plan with contributions made by the Legal Aid Bureau of Buffalo, Inc. between 6 and 8% when eligible.
  • Life insurance.
  • Voluntary supplemental insurance offering, which includes short-term disability, long-term disability, term life insurance plus more.
  • Parking expense reimbursement plan, transit plan, flexible spending account, and more.
• Public Service Student Loan Forgiveness: Eligible for the Federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program and the New York State Higher Education Services Corporation Loan Forgiveness Program.

Key Responsibilities:

• Collaborate with program and Unit leadership to identify and develop professional and community outreach communications and activities in alignment with program needs, including drafting and preparing online content, monthly newsletters, and correspondence.
• Manages program’s communications calendars, workflows, and timelines for finalized materials.
• Supports the RIAC program’s operations, such as facilitating outreach, addressing service demands, coordinating data processes, monitoring compliance with reporting obligations, and by assisting with the program’s day-to-day activities.
• Participates, as needed in departmental, partner, and agency meetings required to support program operations and communications.
• Communicate in person, by telephone, e-mail, fax, or by mail with clients, their family members, other agencies, attorneys, court and other public officials, other staff, other people with whom the program staff interacts, and the general public; takes and gives telephone messages; and answers questions and/or makes referrals as appropriate.
• Coordinates and tracks virtual and in-person CLEs and training for the program.
• Assists attorneys by accurately entering and maintaining case information from files into databases; obtains, assembles, and reviews all necessary client documentation, reports, or court records related to the case; drafts and prepares correspondence, meeting materials, and reports; and assists in interviewing clients and field work.
• Reviews program productivity using case management software.
• Ensures adherence to all Bureau policies and procedures.
• Maintains specialized knowledge of regulations and laws as required by the Unit.
• Operates basic office equipment, including, word processor, typewriter, transcriber, copier, postage meter, computer, fax machine, shredder, and calculator.
• Provide guidance and support program attorneys and staff, including onboarding and training related to the position’s responsibilities.
• Seeks new assignments from the supervisor when all other work is completed.
• Cooperates with other members of the program, Unit, and Bureau to develop effective teamwork.
• Proactively identifies improvements and enhancements to the RIAC program’s operations and related processes.
• Other duties as assigned.

Employment Standards:

• Graduation from a regionally accredited or New York State registered four (4) year college or university with a Bachelor’s degree; or Graduation from a regionally accredited or New York State registered college with an Associate’s degree in a related field and two (2) years of related experience; or Graduation from high school or possession of a high school equivalency diploma and five (5) years of related experience; or An equivalent combination of demonstrated training and experience.
• *Degree(s) must have been awarded by a college, university, or law school accredited by a regional, national, or specialized agency recognized as an accrediting agency by the U.S. If the degree was awarded by an educational institution outside the U.S. and its territories, the candidate must provide independent verification of equivalency.*

Additional Requirements:

• Possession of a valid NYS driver’s license and access to a registered, insured vehicle available for use during working hours, or demonstrated capacity to meet the transportation requirements of the position.
• Ability to travel within the 7thand8thjudicial districts.

The Legal Aid Bureau of Buffalo, Inc.values diversity and is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We encourage applicants from all backgrounds and do not discriminate on the basis of any protected class.