Paralegal Children's Protection Project-School Based Help Desk

National Immigrant Justice Center; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 42,000 - 62,000; Full time

Job summary

National Immigrant Justice Center in Chicago seeks a Paralegal I to support intake, research, and documentation for immigrant-related cases. You will coordinate with senior attorneys and pro bono staff to prepare filings and ensure timely submissions, while maintaining meticulous case records in a fast-paced environment.

The role requires a bachelor's degree and Spanish fluency to communicate with clients. Strong writing and organizational skills are essential, and familiarity with case

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required; at least one year working with immigrants, refugees, or asylum seekers preferred.
• Regular communication with clients in Spanish; Spanish fluency required.
• Strong writing, editing, organizational and computer skills required.

Responsibilities

• Conducts intake, as assigned.
• Conducts legal and factual research.
• Assesses cases to determine eligibility.
• Interviews with clients and witnesses.
• Drafts applications, affidavits, letters and/or legal pleadings and prepares supporting documentation.
• Prepares materials for submission to DHS, Immigration Court, or other entities as appropriate.
• Maintains complete, thorough, accurate, and current records in accordance with legal standards.
• Ensures accuracy, substance, and timeliness of statistical and narrative reports, projects, schedules, and other relevant work products.
• In accordance with organizational policies and the ethical standards required of the legal profession, the Code of Professional Responsibility preserves client confidentiality, accounts for client monies, and avoids conflicts of interest.
• Other duties may be assigned.

Skills

Spanish fluency

Writing skills

Editing

Organizational skills

Communication skills

Multitasking

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Microsoft 365

LegalServer

SharePoint

Job description

About NIJC

The mission of NIJC is to ensure human rights protections and access to justice for immigrants, refugees and asylum seekers. NIJC provides direct legal services to and advocates for these populations through advocacy, impact litigation and strategic communications. NIJC leverages assistance from more than 2,500 pro bono attorneys throughout the country to provide legal services to more than 10,000 immigrants annually.

Job Summary:

NIJC Paralegals provide general support through intake, research, case review, documentation preparation and other related tasks to assist general operations and the work of staff and pro bono attorneys. The school-based help desk paralegal will coordinate with senior attorneys and project managers to provide immigration resources for community members centered around local public high schools. While this position is posted as a Paralegal I position, appropriate level determination for more advanced paralegal applicants will be considered commensurate to their experience.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Conducts intake, as assigned.
• Conducts legal and factual research.
• Assesses cases to determine eligibility.
• Conducts interviews with clients and witnesses.
• Drafts applications, affidavits, letters and/or legal pleadings and prepares supporting documentation.
• Prepares materials for submission to the Department of Homeland Security, Immigration Court, or other entities as appropriate.
• Reviews, analyzes, and presents cases to supervisors.
• Conduct educational presentations.
• Remains current on immigration law, policies, and procedures.
• Maintains complete, thorough, accurate, and current records in an organized fashion in accordance with legal standards, rules, and ethics.
• Ensures the accuracy, substance, and timeliness of statistical and narrative reports, projects, schedules, and other relevant work products.
• In accordance with organizational policies and the ethical standards required of the legal profession, the Code of Professional Responsibility preserves client confidentiality, accounts for client monies, and avoids conflicts of interest.
• Other duties may be assigned.

Skills and Competencies:

• Strong organizational skills, including the ability to manage multiple competing priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Meticulous attention to detail and ability to maintain accurate case records and client files.
• Effective and compassionate communication skills when working with clients, colleagues, attorneys, and external partners.
• Familiarity with or ability to quickly learn, immigration processes and case-management practices.
• Ability to conduct legal research and analysis to support case preparation and attorney review.

Qualifications:

• A bachelor's degree is required. At least one year of experience working with immigrants, refugees, or asylum seekers preferred.
• This position requires regular communication with clients in Spanish. Candidates must be fluent in Spanish.
• Strong writing, editing, organizational, and computer skills required. Ability to manage multiple tasks efficiently and perform well under strict deadlines.
• Proficient in Microsoft 365 applications, including Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams, and SharePoint.
• Familiarity with LegalServer or a comparable case management system.

Physical Abilities Statement

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Must be able to remain in a stationary position 50% of the time.
• The person in this position occasionally needs to move about the inside of the office to access filing cabinets, office machinery, etc.
• Constantly operates a computer and other office productivity machinery, such as a copy machine.

It is the policy of NIJC not to discriminate against any applicant for employment, or any employee because of age, color, sex, disability, national origin, race, religion, or veteran status. In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire.

By submitting your application, you acknowledge and consent to undergo a comprehensive background check as part of the employment process. This background check will be conducted in compliance with applicable state and federal laws.