Purpose of the Job

The Legal Services Coordinator will support the work of Human Rights First’s Refugee Representation team. The Legal Services Coordinator will work closely with our asylum-seeking clients, and in-house and volunteer attorneys during the clients’ immigration cases. The Legal Services Coordinator will coordinate and conduct initial screenings and interviews with refugees seeking legal representation; handle the administrative details of our asylum legal representation work, including scheduling and case management; and assist with outreach and advocacy goals related to asylum and refugee protection.

Major Duties and Responsibilities

Key areas of responsibility include:

Respond to inquiries and requests for assistance from asylum seekers, including scheduling, coordinating, and conducting initial screening interviews.
Perform in-depth, detailed interviews with potential clients, who are often victims of persecution and human rights abuses, to ascertain their eligibility for asylum and representation through our program; and conduct related country conditions research.
Assist in placing accepted cases with appropriate volunteer attorneys; communicate in a responsive and efficient manner with volunteer attorneys, other human rights organizations, and the public; and assist in the provision of support for volunteer attorneys.
Contact volunteer attorneys and clients to obtain updates on cases; coordinate the case closure process; and serve as liaison among volunteer attorneys, clients, and in-house Refugee Representation team staff.
Assist with organizing legal trainings and other events.
Assist in managing the Refugee Representation team’s administrative/clerical needs by:
- compiling information packets and case summaries;
- Entering, maintaining, and retrieving data, including entering new cases and contacts into the Refugee Representation Program’s case management database;
- Maintaining and organizing electronic and hard copy files, correspondence, and publications; and
- Coordinating meetings and draft agendas.
Support organizational outreach, development, and advocacy objectives, including assisting with creating content, building coalitions, and planning and executing fundraising events.
Assist with the hiring, orientation, and supervision of interns and ensure that these volunteers are fully and meaningfully intellectually engaged.
Coordinate client-support services.
Assist with grant reporting and maintenance of relevant data.
Other duties as requested, based on department and/or organizational need.

DOJ Accreditation

If not accredited, the Legal Services Coordinator will undertake the necessary training and submit an application for partial accreditation within one year of undertaking this role.

For those already accredited and recognized at another organization, an application for accreditation must be submitted to become recognized as a DOJ partially accredited representative.

Upon becoming accredited, the Legal Services Coordinator must maintain valid accreditation status throughout the duration of this position, undergoing ongoing legal training and timely submitting renewal documents.

A DOJ Partially-Accredited Representative will represent, under an Attorney’s supervision, a limited number of clients in their application before United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), including but not limited to applications for asylum, employment authorization, adjustment of status, Temporary Protected Status, family petitions, and FOIA requests, not to exceed 15% of the overall caseload. A DOJ Partially-Accredited Representative may also be asked also accompany clients to their check-ins with U.S. Immigration and Custom Enforcement (ICE) and the Intensive Supervision Appearance Program (ISAP), two agencies under the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility Competencies (DEIA)

Human Rights First acknowledges the existence of systemic and structural biases and believes it is necessary to be strategic and intentional in pursuing diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility in all aspects of governance, operations, and programming. As an employee, you are expected to:

Support adoption of best practices to create a more diverse, equitable, inclusive, and accessible work experience for colleagues and external partners.
Strive to consider the people, places, and cultures that might be missing from your work and look for opportunities to increase inclusivity in all the work you do.
Support the mission of Human Rights First in all interactions with colleagues and stakeholders. Dedicate efforts to enriching DEIA consciousness throughout our office-wide interactions.
Foster a culture of diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility by promoting adherence to the standards delineated in the Culture of Respect and Teamwork statement in the Employee Handbook.

Required Knowledge, Skill, and Experience

A Bachelor’s degree and at least one year of post-college work experience in a related field, with previous experience working with asylum-seekers or refugees strongly preferred;
A strong record of intercultural responsiveness, sensitivity and awareness, and cross-cultural communication skills;
Ability to communicate patiently, respectfully and empathically with individuals from a variety of backgrounds with a focus on trauma informed care;
Fluency in Spanish required (reading and writing); fluency in additional languages, particularly French, Arabic, or Russian is highly desirable;
Demonstrated excellence in written and oral communication, with advanced research and analytical skills;
Superb organizational skills, including the ability to manage numerous tasks simultaneously, work under pressure, and meet deadlines;
Capacity to prioritize duties, and work independently while functioning as a member of a team;
Excellent computer skills, including knowledge of database, word processing, and spreadsheet applications;
Good judgment and attention to detail;
Adaptability to embrace and navigate new, dynamic projects, and an ability to recognize and maximize opportunities on behalf of the organization;
Interest in becoming a Department of Justice (DOJ) partially accredited representative, and willingness to meet all prerequisites necessary for eligibility; and
Broad knowledge and adequate experience in immigration law and procedure, especially asylum law, preferred.

Human Rights First

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Legal Services Coordinator