Based in Portland, Maine, with a satellite office in Lewiston, the Immigrant Legal Advocacy Project (ILAP) is Maine’s only state-wide immigration legal aid organization. ILAP’s mission is to help low-income immigrants improve their legal status and to work for more just and humane laws and policies affecting immigrants. ILAP’s work includes direct legal services for over 3,000 clients each year; education and outreach to immigrant communities and service providers; and systemic advocacy on local, state, and federal immigration law issues.
ILAP is committed to having a respectful, collaborative, and equitable work environment, with equal opportunity for all employees. We strongly encourage applications from people of color, immigrants, and other underrepresented and historically marginalized groups. We believe in building an organization that is reflective of the communities that we serve and is diverse in work background, experience, education, race, color, national origin, sex, age, religion, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, ancestry, national origin, or sensory, mental, and physical abilities. We believe that having a diverse and equitable organization strengthens our programming and services and advances our organizational values.
POSITION DESCRIPTION
ILAP is seeking a full-time paralegal to support the work of our legal staff assisting low-income noncitizens on a range of immigration matters, with a focus on humanitarian forms of relief. This is a new position that will be responsible for casework support, consultation follow-up, and administrative duties, among other tasks. This position involves a high degree of client contact, working with a diverse pool of clients, many of whom have experienced high levels of trauma, and speak languages other than English. Our work is challenging and fast-paced as well as enormously rewarding. The paralegal will report to the Managing Attorney of the Portland Office and work closely with numerous members of the legal team.
As of June 2022, ILAP staff have the option of working remotely due to COVID-19. When ILAP staff return to the office, this position will be based in our Portland office. ILAP requires all staff to be vaccinated, as recommended by the CDC, against COVID-19.
RESPONSIBILITIES
• Prepare case-related documents including retainers, USCIS and EOIR forms, motions, cover letters, and more.
• Assist with client interviewing and gathering and organizing evidence to support client applications for immigration relief.
• Assist with post-consultation client follow up including mailing of referral lists, pro se guides, Change of Address forms, waitlist letters, and other materials; and preparation and filing of Freedom of Information Act requests, among other duties.
• Handle administrative tasks including processing incoming and outgoing mail; responding to client inquiries; and coordinating requests for translation and interpretation.
• Maintain client files and data in accordance with ILAP protocols, grant requirements, and ethical obligations.
• Participate in ILAP legal team meetings and collaborate and share expertise with other ILAP legal staff.
• Participate in outreach activities and collaborations as needed.
• Perform such other tasks and assume such other responsibilities deemed appropriate by the Managing Attorney.
QUALIFICATIONS
• Two years of paralegal or relevant administrative experience required; prior experience as a paralegal strongly preferred.
• Prior experience working with immigrants or vulnerable populations preferred.
• High level of attention to detail.
• Strong analytical and English language writing skills.
• Ability to multi-task effectively, including having strong planning and organizing skills and an ability to work well under pressure.
• Strong computer skills including proficiency with Office 365.
• Passion for advancing immigrants’ rights and an ability to work well with individuals from different cultures and with varying levels of English proficiency.
• Gracious and understanding team member who works collaboratively and builds relationships across lines of difference.
• Personal and professional commitment to racial justice and equity.
• Knowledge and understanding of the immigration system built through lived experience is an asset.
• Fluency in a relevant community language is an asset, including but not limited to Dari, French, Haitian-Creole, Lingala, Pashto, Portuguese, or Spanish.
TO APPLY
Send cover letter, resume, and writing sample by e-mail to [email protected] with the subject line “Paralegal.” Review of applications will begin on July 5, 2022 and will continue until the position is filled.
For the foreseeable future, all interviews will be conducted remotely via video.