Paralegal

JOB DESCRIPTION  Position: Immigrants’ Rights Paralegal or Legal Advocate Reports to: Immigrants’ Rights Supervising or Managing Attorney  Bargaining Unit: Yes  FLSA: Non Exempt  Type: Full time  Position Summary  Centro Legal de la Raza’s Immigrants’ Rights Practice specializes in direct representation of noncitizens before the federal immigration agencies and federal and state courts. We provide deportation defense and affirmative immigration legal services to some of our most marginalized community members, including individuals facing the risk of detention or deportation, families living in poverty, unaccompanied minors, survivors of violent crimes, and survivors of domestic and sexual violence. In addition to full-scope direct legal representation, we provide know-your-rights education and limited-scope legal services through clinics and workshops. We specialize in removal defense with a heavy emphasis on asylum, Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS), habeas petitions and release advocacy, and U visas for survivors of  violent crimes. We are seeking a legal advocate or paralegal to support and enhance our provision of legal services and education as we continue to advocate zealously in the face of the federal government’s attacks on immigrant communities. This position is open immediately. Primary Responsibilities: * Assist immigration practitioners in all aspects of immigration legal representation, including preparing legal documents for practitioners’ review, handling administrative tasks on immigration legal cases; and maintaining accurate and complete client records, both in case management database and physical and electronic client files; * Work directly with clients and community members to: conduct initial legal intakes, complete necessary paperwork and document collection, develop declarations and other evidence in support of their cases, maintain communication regarding case status, and respond to client communications;  * Participate in and coordinate immigration legal clinics/workshops, including group-based legal clinics in collaboration with community partners, as well as legal orientations and know-your-rights presentations; * Engage in volunteer coordination and outreach;  * Provide Spanish-English or Mam-English interpretation and translation as needed; and * Perform other special projects and other duties as assigned. Required Qualifications  The applicant must profoundly share Centro Legal’s mission and vision of racial, economic and social justice. Qualifications include:  * A Bachelor’s degree, or associate’s degree combined with relevant experience; * Fluency in English; fluency in Spanish or Mayan Mam * Highly competent writing skills in English; if applicant is bilingual in Spanish, this position also requires competent writing skills in Spanish; * Excellent word-processing and computer skills, including knowledge of Microsoft Word and Excel as well as G-suite; * Must be well organized, efficient, highly motivated, able to handle multiple tasks at once, work  well under pressure, and take initiative; * Strong written, verbal and interpersonal skills and high attention to detail;  * Demonstrated commitment to immigrant justice and to serving low-income immigrant communities;  * Ability to work independently as well as within a team;  * Willingness to participate in training and outreach activities across Alameda and Contra Costa counties; and Preferred Qualifications * Experience working with immigrant communities in an immigration legal setting, including experience working with asylum seekers, unaccompanied minors, and/or Indigenous language-speaking immigrants;  * Experience working with individuals in crisis or who are recent trauma survivors; and  * Experience using Salesforce-based or other client case management system. Compensation   The salary range for this position is $31.39-$34.56 per hour, commensurate with experience. Benefits and Perks  We offer a competitive and comprehensive benefits package to include: medical, dental, vision, long term disability and life insurance.  * Centro Legal provides 100% employer-paid Kaiser medical coverage for employees and 50% coverage for dependents, spouses, and partners. Alternative medical plans are also available at an additional premium cost. * Additional benefits include Health Care FSA, Dependent Care FSA, commuter benefits, pet insurance, and an Employee Assistance Program. * PTO: Vacation accrual is based on length of service: 0–2 years: 10 days per year; 2–4 years: 12 days per year; over 4 years: 14 days per year. Employees also receive 2 wellness days per calendar year and 12 sick days per year. * Note: Vacation amounts are based on Centro Legal’s four-day, 32-hour workweek. For example, 10 vacation days is equivalent to 2 weeks and 2 days off. * Paid Holidays & Winter Closure: Centro Legal observes 9 paid holidays throughout the year, including Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Indigenous Peoples’ Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving Day, and the Friday after Thanksgiving. In addition, Centro Legal observes a Winter Holiday closure from December 24 through January 1.  * 32-Hour Workweek: Centro Legal operates on a four-day, 32-hour workweek. The specific workdays may vary depending on the department or program’s operational needs.  COVID 19 Policy  Centro Legal requires all employees to comply with current state and local public health guidelines. Proof of vaccination may be required, with accommodations for medical or religious reasons. Working & Physical Requirements * Hybrid working environment, including regular in-person attendance at events * Prolonged periods of desk and computer work, frequent communication by phone, email, video, and in person, with occasional lifting of up to 20 lbs such as files or office supplies. * Standard business hours with occasional evenings required to support clinics, hearings, and community events. Other Duties: * This job description is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, or qualifications associated with the position. Duties may change based on organizational and programmatic needs. HOW TO APPLY Please visit our careers page at https://www.centrolegal.org/careers/ [https://www.centrolegal.org/careers/] and click “Join Our Talent Community” to apply.  Please submit the following materials: * Resume * Cover letter describing your interest in this position (optional unless specifically required for the role) * List of three professional references Position open until filled. ABOUT CENTRO LEGAL DE LA RAZA Founded in 1969 and headquartered in Oakland, California, Centro Legal de la Raza (“Centro Legal”) is a comprehensive legal services and advocacy organization dedicated to protecting and advancing the rights of immigrant, low-income, and Latino communities through bilingual legal representation, education, and advocacy. Centro Legal combines high-quality legal services with know-your-rights education, affirmative litigation, and youth development, helping ensure access to justice for thousands of individuals and families throughout Northern and Central California each year. For more information, please visit https://www.centrolegal.org/ [https://www.centrolegal.org/]. DIVERSITY AND EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY STATEMENT Centro Legal’s mission includes advancing social, economic, and racial justice. We are committed to fostering, cultivating, and preserving a culture of equity, diversity, and inclusion and to maintaining a workplace where all staff can flourish and grow professionally. Our staff are essential to our ability to achieve our mission. The collective sum of our employees’ individual differences, life experiences, knowledge, creativity, innovation, self-expression, unique capabilities, and talents represents a significant part of our culture, reputation, sustainability, and organizational success. Centro Legal is an equal employment opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religious creed, sex, pregnancy, gender, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, age, medical condition, genetic information, mental or physical disability, military or veteran status, marital status, family responsibilities, caregiver status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, immigration status, primary language, weight, height, status as a victim of domestic violence, sexual assault or stalking, HIV/AIDS status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. Centro Legal also prohibits discrimination based on the perception that an individual has any protected characteristic or because an individual is associated with a person who has, or is perceived to have, a protected characteristic.