The Erie County Bar Association Volunteer Lawyers Project (VLP) is seeking one (1) part-time Spanish speaking immigration paralegal for our law office in Buffalo, NY. This office handles work under the Office of Victim Services (OVS) and Office for Crime Victims (OVC) contracts. Paralegals work with VLP attorneys to represent nondetained clients in victim-focused and humanitarian immigration work including VAWA self-petitions (or domestic violence survivors married to U.S. Citizens or Lawful Permanent Residents), U visas (for survivors of crime), T visas (for survivors of human trafficking), asylum, withholding of removal, protection under the Convention Against Torture, adjustments of status, and naturalizations.
VLP is a mixed model civil legal services program that coordinates direct representation by pro bono attorneys and by our staff attorneys. The Buffalo office handles a wide variety of civil legal services, with a focus on involving pro bono lawyers in the delivery of our services to clients. We have two offices, one in Buffalo, NY and the other in Batavia, NY. This position will work out of our Buffalo, NY office with This position will work out of our Buffalo, NY office three (3) days per week, one of which must be a Wednesday.
Duties/Responsibilities:
• Perform client screening/intakes and callbacks
• Assist with walk-in clients
• Provide interpretation and translation assistance
• Assist attorneys with client contact including phone calls, gathering client documentation, etc.
• File maintenance and destruction
• General office support work – data entry, filing, photocopying, scanning, phones, mail, etc.
• Assist with preparing immigration applications under attorney/accredited representative supervision
On the job training. Valid driver’s license and access to a reliable vehicle are required.
Skills - Required:
• Fluency in Spanish
• Ability to collect and manage data
• Ability to work independently, as well as collaboratively, with VLP staff and a variety of other partners, including volunteer attorneys, student interns, and court staff
• Ability to problem solve and see complex tasks through to completion
• Excellent verbal and written skills in Spanish and English • Ability to multitask and be flexible in an office with high volume that moves at a quick pace
• Must be organized and capable of tracking work carefully for the purpose of grant and contract reporting requirements
• Experience with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook)
• Knowledge of basic office technology such as mailing, faxing, scanning, and copying
• Sincere ability and desire to work with low-income immigrants and their families
• Sensitivity to working with survivors of trauma
• Positive attitude and a willingness to learn immigration law and procedure
Skills – Preferred (not required):
• Paralegal degree or certificate
• Prior immigration law experience and/or prior experience as a paralegal
TO APPLY: Please send a resume with a cover letter clearly explaining your interest and qualifications. Include contact information for 3 references and send your materials to: Kerry Battenfeld, Supervising Attorney, ECBA Volunteer Lawyers Project, Inc. at kbattenfeld@ecbavlp.com. We will be accepting applications until the position is filled.
Pay/Benefits:
• Pay $20 - $25 per hour (24 hours per week)
• Employer paid benefits Pension contributions, notary application and renewal, Employee Assistance Program
• Other Benefits available through pre-tax employee contributions: FSA, Dependent Care FSA, transportation account, 403b plan • Eligibility for public service loan forgiveness
• A respectful work environment with a true Work/Life balance:
- paid holidays that fall on your scheduled work day
- paid vacation and sick time
- 1 hour paid lunch if working more than 4.5 hours each day
- discourages weekend work, encourages utilizing PTO
- dedication to diversity and inclusion
VLP is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes all to apply. Employer recruits without regard to age, race, color, creed, religion, national origin, immigration or citizenship status, pregnancy-related condition, predisposing genetic characteristics, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, marital and familial status, domestic violence victim status, disability, military status, or protected veteran status.
Proof of COVID-19 vaccination is required unless the individual qualifies for a reasonable accommodation as required under the Americans with Disabilities Act, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the New York State Human Rights Law and/or guidance from the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. VLP may grant requests for reasonable accommodations to this requirement on the basis of disability or sincerely held religious beliefs. |