Paralegal - Immigration Law Project, Brooklyn

Safe Horizon Brand; New York (NY); On-site; USD 44,000 - 48,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Vacation Time

Paid Sick Time

Holidays

Medical

Dental

Vision

403(b) Retirement Plan

Company Life Insurance

Medical/Dependent Care FSAs

Tuition Assistance Program

Commuter Benefits Program

Gym Reimbursement

Parental Leave

Employee Learning Center

Job summary

Safe Horizon in New York City seeks a dedicated professional to coordinate intake, draft petitions, and provide advocacy for immigrant survivors. You will support project attorneys, deliver legal information, and help manage grants.

The role emphasizes trauma-informed, client-centered practice, collaboration with courts and community partners, and staff training on anti-oppressive approaches. Strong public service commitment is essential.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent relevant experience.
• Commitment to public service and immigrant populations/survivors of crime.
• Experience in community service; strong organizational, oral, written, and analytic skills.
• Knowledge of immigration/refugee issues, domestic violence dynamics, and cultural competency.
• Experience in immigration services or with crime victims; preferred.
• BIA Accredited Representative or willingness to obtain certification preferred.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate and conducts in-depth intake interviews to obtain demographics and eligibility for immigration relief.
• Drafts legal documents and prepares petitions for submission under attorney supervision.
• Provides support for project attorneys on complex immigration matters.
• Provides legal information, advocacy and referrals to clients.
• Maintains data for project grants and helps prepare grant reports.
• Conducts trainings and presentations to immigrant communities and partners in NYC.
• Develops and maintains relationships within the immigration advocacy community nationwide and NY legal community.
• Serves as internal resource to Safe Horizon staff and delivers educational presentations.

Skills

Bachelor’s degree

Public service

Community service

Organizational skills

Oral & written skills

Analytic skills

Immigration knowledge

Cultural competency

BIA Accredited

Education

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent relevant experience

Job description

Responsibilities

• Learn and integrate a trauma-informed, client-centered approach, using an anti-oppressive lens, into your work with clients. Coach and guide staff in their client practice that reflects these approaches.

Essential Job Functions

• Coordinate and conducts in-depth intake interviews with clients to obtain basic demographic information and information relevant to a client’s possible eligibility for immigration relief;
• Drafts legal documents and prepares petitions for submission for administrative applications under supervision of attorneys;
• Provides support for project attorneys on a variety of complex immigration matters;
• Provides legal information, advocacy and referrals to clients;
• Maintains data for project grants, and helps prepare grant reports for funders;
• Conducts presentations and trainings to immigrant communities, community based organizations, and law enforcement officials, throughout New York City;
• Develops and maintains relationships with individuals, organizations and government agencies within the immigration advocacy community nationally and legal community in the New York region;
• Serves as an internal resource to Safe Horizon staff, answering questions and making educational presentations.

Interacts with

• Criminal Court;
• Family Court;
• Community Office Program Directors;
• Senior Case Managers;
• Victim Advocates;
• Clients;
• Funders;
• Hearing Officers;
• Assistant U.S Attorneys;
• Government Counsel;
• Private Attorneys;
• Attorneys from other not for profit organizations, with related missions;
• District Attorney’s office;
• Family Justice Center;
• Representatives from law schools;
• Representatives from the Bar Association

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent relevant experience.
• A strong commitment to public service, dedicated to working with immigrant populations, and survivors of crime and abuse.
• Applicants should have community service experience, and possess excellent organizational, oral, written, and analytic skills.
• A knowledge and understanding of immigration and refugee issues, dynamics of domestic violence, and cultural competency is essential.
• Prior experience working in immigration services, and/or with crime victims and survivors of domestic and sexual and gender-based violence is highly preferred.
• Candidates who are BIA Accredited Representative or willing to obtain certification is strongly preferred.

Union Representation Notice

This position is represented by a labor union and is covered by the terms and conditions of the applicable Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), as well as relevant Safe Horizon policies and procedures.

Per the CBA, employees in this position are not required to become members of the union as a condition of employment. However, employees who choose not to join the union remain covered by the terms of the Collective Bargaining Agreement and may be subject to any lawful obligations outlined in the agreement.

If hired, I agree to abide by all of Safe Horizon’s rules and regulations, and understand that, if employed, my employment may be terminated with or without cause, and with or without notice, at any time, at the option of either the company or me. I further understand that no representation, whether oral or written by any representative or agent of the organization, at any time, constitutes a contract of employment.

AmeriCorps, Peace Corps and other national service alumni are encouraged to apply.

Technology Statement

Applicants may be responsible for providing the equipment and tools they need to work remotely as required, such as access to a computer, internet service, and phone service. Safe Horizon will discuss potential solutions with candidates and may assist where needed and agreed to in advance.
Please follow this link to view complete EEO Law and complaint filing information:
https://www.eeoc.gov/sites/default/files/2023-06/22-088_EEOC_KnowYourRights6.12ScreenRdr.pdf

Know Your Rights: Workplace discrimination is illegal.

Hiring Range: $31.75 - $34.75 per hour
Full-time Hours: 35 Hours per week

Full-time Benefits

• Vacation Time
• Paid Sick Time
• Holidays
• Medical
• Dental
• Vision
• 403(b) Retirement Plan
• Company Life Insurance
• Medical/Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts
• Tuition Assistance Program
• Commuter Benefits Program
• Gym Reimbursement
• Parental Leave
• Employee Learning Center