Bilingual Immigration Paralegal (Special Immigrant Juvenile Status)
Please note: Fluency in Spanish, French, or Fulani is required for this position. Applicants who do not meet this requirement will not be considered.
About Project Rousseau:
Project Rousseau is a non-profit organization that empowers youth in communities in the greatest need to excel in higher education. The majority of the young people served by Project Rousseau are homeless and/or asylum seekers; Project Rousseau is at the forefront of the humanitarian migrant crisis in New York City.
Position Overview
Through Project Rousseau’s Immigration Legal Services, we provide a pathway to hope and opportunity. We believe that every young person, regardless of their circumstances, deserves the chance to pursue their educational goals with dignity and without fear. We empower young people to navigate the complexities of the immigration system, understand their rights, and pursue pathways to legal status and stability. We aim to ensure that young people have access to high-quality legal representation and support as they seek to build their futures.
Project Rousseau is currently expanding our legal services programs to further represent young people up to the age of 21 seeking safety in the United States. The youth that will be served through this program have fled their home countries to escape abuse, abandonment, or neglect.
Project Rousseau is seeking a paralegal who shares our passion for justice and our unwavering commitment to empowering immigrant youth.
This is a full-time on-site position located in Manhattan (New York). The successful candidate will be expected to provide administrative support to our legal services team, particularly on Special Immigrant Juvenile Status applications.
Responsibilities include:
- Legal Case Management :
- Assist with scheduling and logistics of legal intakes with clients to assess their eligibility for immigration relief.
- Maintain an orderly filing system
- Track case progress and maintain calendar for critical filing deadlines, court appearances, and follow-up tasks
- Legal Assistance
- Collect and enter detailed biographical information of clients into legal forms, ensuring accuracy and completeness
- Assist with the translation of documents related to immigration legal services
- Assemble application packets and supporting evidence for attorney review
- Interpret for attorneys and other legal service staff on an as needed basis
- Additional Responsibilities
- Maintain accurate documentation and reporting of service delivery to ensure compliance with funding requirements and uphold organizational standards.
- Proactively identify and propose additional responsibilities aligned with the organization's mission and the candidate's skills and interests to best serve underserved youth
- Some student drop-in responsibilities and other tasks at the discretion of the organization’s Executive Director
Qualifications and Requirements:
- Education and Licensing:
- Associates or Bachelor’s Degree
- Experience:
- At least 1 year of demonstrated experience as a paralegal or in a similar administrative role
- Preferred: 2+ years of experience as a paralegal in immigration law or a related field.
- Skills and Attributes:
- Fluency in Spanish, Pular/Fulani, or French
- Outstanding organizational skills, including time management, record-keeping, and the ability to manage multiple assignments and deadlines independently.
- Excellent attention to detail and ability to complete forms accurately in a timely manner.
- Strong interest in adopting a comprehensive approach to addressing the needs of young people and their families.
- Strong communication skills, both written and verbal.
- Exceptional interpersonal skills, enabling effective collaboration with young people, management, and program staff.
- Values and Commitment:
- Deep commitment to social justice and a passion for serving immigrant communities.
- Demonstrated ability to handle complex and sensitive matters with discretion, empathy, and sound judgment.
Work Schedule: Full-time, 35 hours per week
Job Location: 1560 Broadway, NY, 10036, please note this is an in-person role. Candidates should be comfortable with being in-person at least 4 days per week.
Salary Range: $53,000-$58,000 per year
Benefits: Employer contribution to ICHRA (Healthcare Reimbursement)
Application: Cover letter and resume should be submitted to hiring@projectrousseau.org or via LinkedIn. This position is for an immediate start, and applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.
This is a contract-funded position with an initial term of one year.
