Paralegal

Erie Neighborhood House; Chicago (IL); Hybrid; USD 50,000 - 54,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Life insurance

403(b) plan

Tuition assistance

Paid time off

Sick days

Paid holidays

Parental leave

Flexible spending accounts

Employee assistance program

Job summary

Erie Neighborhood House in Chicago seeks a full-time Paralegal (40 hours/week) to support the Legal Services team. Based at 1634 W. Van Buren St, you will perform case management, intake, and document preparation for immigration matters under supervision.

Fluency in English/Spanish is required, and prior paralegal or legal research experience is preferred. This role offers professional development and a strong commitment to immigrant communities and social justice.

Qualifications

• Written and oral fluency in English/Spanish required.
• Bachelor’s Degree preferred.
• Previous legal research or paralegal experience preferred.
• Excellent organizational, oral, communication, and written skills.
• Solution-oriented mindset, with a willingness to take initiative while juggling several priorities.
• Strong proofreading and detail-oriented research and writing skills.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and comply with legal ethical and professional rules of conduct.
• Ability to prioritize and juggle multiple projects simultaneously and independently, often under pressure and in a fast-paced environment.
• Desire and ability to work independently, but also to perform in a team environment.
• Ability to follow directions and instructions of supervising staff, including receiving and applying constructive feedback.
• Ability to stay organized, manage a high-volume workload, and work under strict deadlines.
• Sensitivity to the needs and legal issues affecting people of diverse backgrounds.
• Excellent professional judgment and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work a hybrid schedule of at least three (3) days on site.
• Access to reliable transportation. Travel will be expected between various sites within Chicago city limits.
• Occasional weekend hours required for Saturday workshops.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and case management software preferred.
• Demonstrated commitment to social justice and sensitivity to challenges of the immigrant community.

Responsibilities

• Perform administrative duties including answering phones, taking and delivering messages, receiving documents from clients, processing mail, making copies, filing records, preparing mailings, and assisting members of the public.
• Enter data in online case management database, including case notes, messages, and updating data at each stage of a client’s case.
• Attend to clients’ questions regarding case status or program services via phone, email, or in-person.
• Schedule and confirm appointments for legal representatives.
• Collect fees from clients.
• Cover the office reception desk and support the Legal Assistant as assigned.
• Conduct client interviews and gather information by asking questions and listening.
• Assist clients in drafting personal statements for immigration benefits.
• Gather and arrange evidence and other legal documents for review and case preparation.
• Conduct research on relevant laws, regulations, and legal articles.
• Prepare immigration applications under supervision.
• Assist with completion of applications (citizenship, DACA, family petitions, etc.).
• Maintain client files, draft cover letters and close-out letters, and prepare application packets.
• Follow up on pending case work and communicate with clients.
• Assist during workshops and office hours.
• Respond to inquiries in a timely manner.
• File documents with Chicago Immigration Court and USCIS; accompany clients to interviews as interpreter.
• Conduct intake screenings and translate documents.
• Manage documents and analyze case-related records.
• Attend immigration law trainings; perform other duties as requested.

Skills

Fluent English & Spanish communication

Organizational skills

Written communication

Attention to detail

Confidentiality

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s Degree preferred

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Case management software

Job description

Erie Neighborhood House (ENH), a social service agency serving the Chicago metropolitan area and dedicated to promoting a just and inclusive society, is seeking a full-time Paralegal (40 hours per week). Reporting to the Supervising Attorney, the Paralegal will be housed out of Erie House’s 1634 W. Van Buren St office and their basic function is to provide paralegal support to the legal team under the Legal Services department.

In return to your commitment to Erie House and its mission to the community, you will enjoy excellent professional development opportunities, opportunity for growth, and have direct impact in building powerful communities. Be a part of one of the oldest and most respected Settlement House in the Chicago Land Area.

Position Responsibilities:

Administrative Duties:

• Perform administrative duties including answering phones, taking and delivering messages, receiving documents from clients, processing incoming and outgoing mail, making copies, filing records, preparing mailings, and assisting members of the public.
• Promptly and accurately enter data in online case management database, including entering case notes, sending and responding to internal messages, and updating data at each stage of a client’s case.
• Attend to clients’ questions regarding case status or program services via phone, email, or in-person.
• Schedule and confirm appointments for legal representatives.
• Collect fees from clients.
• Cover the office reception desk and support the Legal Assistant as assigned.

Case Management and Supervised Legal Case Work:

• Conduct client interviews and gather information by asking questions, actively listening and asking follow-up questions to clients.
• Assist clients in drafting personal statements speaking to their personal history and eligibility for immigration benefits.
• Gather and arrange evidence and other legal documents for legal representatives’ review and case preparation.
• Conduct research on relevant laws, regulations, and legal articles.
• Prepare immigration applications under legal representative and attorney supervision.
• Assist individuals with the completion of the appropriate applications, including but not limited to: citizenship and naturalization, DACA, family petitions, consular processing, adjustment of status, U-visa, VAWA, asylum, and removal defense cases.
• Assist in case management of immigration applicants, including but not limited to: maintaining client files, drafting cover letters and close out letters, preparing application packets, reviewing case files.
• Follow up on pending case work and maintain communication with clients via phone, email, or mail regarding missing documentation necessary for submission of application.
• Assist in case management of citizenship and immigration applicants at workshops and during office hours.
• Respond to all phone calls and email inquiries on citizenship and immigration issues in a timely manner.
• File documents and forms with the Chicago Immigration Court and the USCIS Asylum Office as requested.
• Accompany legal representatives and clients to interviews before USCIS to serve as interpreter.
• Conduct intake screenings with potential clients and translate legal documents.
• Manage documents and files; read, analyze and organize case-related, time-sensitive records and assess conflicts.
• Regularly attend immigration law trainings as requested.
• Other duties as requested.

Qualifications:

• Written and oral fluency in English/Spanish required.
• Bachelor’s Degree preferred.
• Previous legal research or paralegal experience preferred.
• Excellent organizational, oral, communication, and written skills.
• Solution-oriented mindset, with a willingness to take initiative while juggling several priorities.
• Strong proofreading and detail-oriented research and writing skills.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and comply with legal ethical and professional rules of conduct.
• Ability to prioritize and juggle multiple projects simultaneously and independently, often under pressure and in a fast-paced environment.
• Desire and ability to work independently, but also to perform in a team environment.
• Ability to follow directions and instructions of supervising staff, including receiving and applying constructive feedback.
• Ability to stay organized, manage a high-volume workload, and work under strict deadlines.
• Sensitivity to the needs and legal issues affecting people of diverse backgrounds.
• Excellent professional judgment and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work a hybrid schedule of at least three (3) days on site.
• Access to reliable transportation. Travel will be expected between various sites within Chicago city limits.
• Occasional weekend hours required for Saturday workshops.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and case management software preferred.
• Demonstrated commitment to social justice and sensitivity to challenges of the immigrant community.

Team Member Benefits:

(examples below for full-time employment)

• Compensation of$50,000 - $54,000salary/ 24.03 - 25.96 / hourbased on experience.
• Work / life integration:
  • Generous paid time off.
• 12 accrued sick days per year:
  • 3 personal days.
  • Paid birthday off.
  • 8 paid holidays, including Juneteenth.
  • In addition to above paid holidays, paid week off between Christmas Eve and New Year’s Day.
  • Vacation
    • Year 1 = 8 days
    • Year 2 = 13 days
    • Year 3 + = 20 days
  • Access to alternative and flexible work schedules and personal leave, where possible.
  • Two-weeks fully paid Parental Leave, for eligible employees.
  • Time off for school conferences and activities as well as bereavement leave.
• Professional Development:
  • Employer-sponsored learning and development programs.
  • Paid day off annually for personal professional development.
  • Tuition Assistance & Debt Relief Program, as budget allows.
• Wellness support:
  • Employer-sponsored health, dental, and vision insurance.
  • Employer-paid life insurance.
  • Voluntary life and AD&D and short and long-term disability.
  • Flexible Spending Accounts for medical, vision and dependent care.
  • 403b with employer match.
  • Employee Assistance Program.

Union / non-exempt

Erie Neighborhood House is dedicated to creating a workforce that promotes and supports diversity and inclusion. We provide equal employment opportunities to all individuals without discrimination. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process should contact us at [e-mail].

NO TELEPHONE CALLS PLEASE!

MUST BE A MEMBER OF AFSCME OR JOIN AFTER 30 DAYS

ERIE NEIGHBORHOOD HOUSE IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

ACCREDITED BY NAEYC & NATIONAL AFTER SCHOOL ASSOCIATION

RECOGNIZED BY DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE;

UNITED WAY MEMBER