Paralegal at NYLAG New York, NY

NYLAG; New York (NY); On-site; USD 52,571 - 58,817; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

401k

Life insurance

Long‑term disability

Commuter benefits

FSA for medical and dependent care

Job summary

NYLAG seeks a highly motivated, full‑time paralegal to support immigration relief applications, intake process, and clinic work under the supervision of an attorney. The paralegal will contact eligible individuals, field referrals, conduct screenings, arrange appointments, and prepare affirmative applications for immigration status and relief.

Applicants must manage a high volume of correspondence and cases, interacting with clients in a trauma‑informed and professional manner, with emphasis on

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree required.
• Fluency in Spanish is required.
• 3–4 years of immigration experience strongly preferred, but not required.
• Ability to work collaboratively, communicate effectively, manage multiple tasks and creatively problem solve.
• Experience working with immigrant communities of color, including LGBTQIA+, youth, and survivors of violence.
• Excellent written, oral and analytical skills.
• Excellent time and project management skills.
• Commitment to social justice and anti‑racism.

Responsibilities

• Conduct pre-screening of clients for basic eligibility requirements, track contacts made, and collect information and documents.
• Screen clients for eligibility for immigration relief.
• Interview clients, and assist in preparing forms, affidavits, and other supporting documents to be submitted to USCIS.
• Be a primary case handler: correspond and follow up with clients via phone, mail and email.
• Assist in preparation for pro bono clinics, including screening, making appointments and confirming attendance.
• Attend pro bono, internal and community clinics under the supervision of an attorney and ensure client attendance.
• Work towards partial DOJ accreditation in order to represent clients before USCIS.
• Manage data entry in internal and external data management systems and assist with generating reports.
• Assist unit attorneys and case handlers with document translation and verbal interpretation.
• Provide internal referrals for financial counseling and other wraparound services, and external referrals to partner organizations.
• Maintain regular contact with partner organizations.
• Any other job duties as required.

Skills

Fluency in Spanish

Education

Bachelor’s Degree

Job description

About NYLAG

Founded in 1990, NYLAG is a leading civil legal services organization combatting economic, racial, and social injustice by advocating for people experiencing poverty or in crisis. Our services include comprehensive, free civil legal services, financial empowerment, impact litigation, policy advocacy, and community partnerships. NYLAG exists because wealth should not determine who has access to justice. We aim to disrupt systemic racism by serving individuals and families whose legal and financial crises are often rooted in racial inequality. NYLAG goes to where the need is, providing services in more than 150 community sites (e.g., courts, hospitals, libraries) and on our Mobile Legal Help Center. During COVID-19, most of our services are virtual to keep our community safe. NYLAG’s staff of 350 impacted the lives of nearly 129,000 people last year.

Job Description

NYLAG seeks a highly motivated, full‑time paralegal to support our work representing individuals and families in applications for immigration relief, assisting with our intake process, and will support our work with community‑based clinics. Under the supervision of an attorney, the paralegal will contact individuals who are eligible for assistance, field referrals from partners, conduct screenings, make appointments, prepare affirmative applications for immigration status and relief, and track and collect data. Applicants must handle a high volume of correspondence and cases, interacting with clients in a trauma‑informed and professional manner.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Conduct pre‑screening of clients for basic eligibility requirements, track contacts made, and collect information and documents.
• Screen clients for eligibility for immigration relief.
• Interview clients, and assist in preparing forms, affidavits, and other supporting documents to be submitted to USCIS.
• Be a primary case handler: correspond and follow up with clients via phone, mail and email.
• Assist in preparation for pro bono clinics, including screening, making appointments and confirming attendance.
• Attend pro bono, internal and community clinics under the supervision of an attorney and ensure client attendance.
• Work towards partial DOJ accreditation in order to represent clients before USCIS.
• Manage data entry in internal and external data management systems and assist with generating reports.
• Assist unit attorneys and case handlers with document translation and verbal interpretation.
• Provide internal referrals for financial counseling and other wraparound services, and external referrals to partner organizations.
• Maintain regular contact with partner organizations.
• Any other job duties as required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree required.
• Fluency in Spanish is required.
• 3–4 years of immigration experience strongly preferred, but not required.
• Ability to work collaboratively, communicate effectively, manage multiple tasks and creatively problem solve.
• Experience working with immigrant communities of color, including LGBTQIA+, youth, and survivors of violence.
• Excellent written, oral and analytical skills.
• Excellent time and project management skills.
• Commitment to social justice and anti‑racism.

NYLAG’s Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion

NYLAG is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. People of color, women, people with disabilities, immigrants, veterans, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer people, and those with lived experiences in the communities we serve are strongly encouraged to apply.

Employment type

Full‑time

Professional Level

Entry Level

Salary Range

NYLAG is a unionized workplace, and salaries are set pursuant to a collective bargaining agreement. The current salary range for this position is between $52,571–$58,817.

Benefits

Medical, dental, vision, 401k, life insurance, long‑term disability, commuter benefits, flexible spending accounts (FSA) for medical and dependent care.

Covid Vaccination Policy

NYLAG requires all employees to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19, unless a medical or religious exemption is approved.

Hybrid Work Policy

NYLAG is committed to a hybrid work policy for staff whose work does not require their full‑time presence in the office. NYLAG’s current policy is that most staff are required to work in NYLAG’s offices or do other in‑person work at least two days each week. This policy is subject to change.