Legal Assistant, Children's Legal Services

International Rescue Committee • Full-time • Sea Tac, WA, United States • 1w ago

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world's worst humanitarian crises, helping to restore health, safety, education, economic wellbeing, and power to people devastated by conflict and disaster. Founded in 1933 at the call of Albert Einstein, the IRC is one of the world's largest international humanitarian non-governmental organizations (INGO), at work in more than 40 countries and 29 U.S. cities helping people to survive, reclaim control of their future and strengthen their communities. A force for humanity, IRC employees deliver lasting impact by restoring safety, dignity and hope to millions. If you're a solutions-driven, passionate change-maker, come join us in positively impacting the lives of millions of people world-wide for a better future.

JOB OVERVIEW

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) is seeking two bilingual Legal Assistants to join its Children’s Legal Services program in its SeaTac, WA office. The Children’s Legal Services program provides legal representation to unaccompanied immigrant children who have been released from the custody of the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) or are residing in local Unaccompanied Refugee Minors (URM) programs.

The Legal Assistant will support the Children’s Legal Services program’s attorneys to coordinate client referrals, interview unaccompanied children clients to identify options for asylum, Special Immigrant Juvenile classification, or other forms of humanitarian relief; assist with preparing and filing immigration applications and petitions; and complete program data and recordkeeping administrative tasks.

The ideal candidates will have stellar interpersonal and trauma-informed listening skills, especially with children of all ages; be highly organized and have excellent attention to detail; and be able to work both in a collaborative team environment and independently on assignments.

These positions are anticipated to be funded through July 31, 2026. Continuation is subject to ongoing funding availability.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES:

Coordinate and receive case referrals, setting up new case files (both electronic and hard copy), recording referrals, and setting up initial client meetings with attorneys.
Assist in conducting intakes or follow-up meetings with unaccompanied child clients released to sponsors in King, Pierce, Snohomish, and Spokane counties or residing in an URM program in Western Washington - interpreting at the meetings as needed, and gathering supporting documents. Some meetings require local travel;
Assist in preparing filings for the Seattle Immigration Court, Washington State Courts, and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS);
Communicate with clients to schedule appointments, provide case status updates as directed by the attorneys, request documents and other information, schedule appointments, and manage other communications, as needed;
Prepare affidavits, legal correspondence, and other documents for the CLS program’s attorneys;
Translate documents from Spanish to English and client communications from English to Spanish;
Interpret for client meetings or phone calls, as needed;
Process and record daily mail; assist with monthly data reporting submissions and checking; prepare monthly invoicing documentation; track deadlines for the Children’s Legal Services team; and prepare monthly reports as needed;
Coordinate with other IRC program staff and community partners to refer clients for wrap-around services, where appropriate, and prepare referral packages for children who move out of local jurisdiction;
Provide interpretation for clients at USCIS interviews, as needed.

KEY WORKING RELATIONSHIPS:

Reports to: Supervising Attorney, Children’s Legal Services

JOB REQUIREMENTS:

Bachelor’s degree or 3 years’ experience/ knowledge in the field of immigration law or child welfare, family, or juvenile justice law.
Fluency in reading, writing, and speaking both Spanish and English required.
Experience in a legal setting highly desirable, but not required;
Lived experience with the immigration legal system highly desired, but not required;
Experience working with children highly desirable, but not required;
Excellent attention to detail, ability to multi-task, and comfortable working in a fast-paced environment;
Demonstrated ability to work independently, solve problems and exercise sound judgement;
Evidence of capacity to be a strong team member in a highly collaborative social services environment;
Deep commitment to working with immigrants, children, and asylum seekers;
Trauma-informed and sensitive listening and communication skills;
Personal integrity in handling ethically complex and confidential situations;
Commitment to anti-racism and ongoing learning;
Strong computer literacy, research, and analysis skills; and
Must have a valid driver’s license, reliable vehicle, active insurance policy and ability to travel frequently in and around the service area to attend hearings and interviews and engage with clients and community partners. Travel expenses are reimbursable.

WORKING ENVIRONMENT

Standard office environment with occasional participation in community outreach and legal assistance events or client meetings at public locations (for example, libraries);
Hybrid, flexible work options available.
May require occasional weekend and/or evening work.
- If an applicant chooses to work a hybrid work schedule, the applicant must have a home or alternate workspace they can effectively complete their work from during regularly scheduled hours.

Compensation: Posted pay ranges apply to US-based candidates. Ranges are based on various factors including the labor market, job type, internal equity, and budget. Exact offers are calibrated by work location, individual candidate experience and skills relative to the defined job requirements.

Equal Opportunity Employer: IRC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. IRC considers all applicants on the basis of merit without regard to race, sex, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, disability or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

US Benefits: We offer a comprehensive and highly competitive set of benefits. In the US, these include: 10 sick days, 10 US holidays, 20-25 paid time off days depending on role and tenure, medical insurance starting at $143 per month, dental starting at $6.50 per month, and vision starting at $5 per month, FSA for healthcare and commuter costs, a 403b retirement savings plans with immediately vested matching, disability & life insurance, and an Employee Assistance Program which is available to our staff and their families to support counseling and care in times of crisis and mental health struggles

Standard of Professional Conduct:The IRC and the IRC workers must adhere to the values and principles outlined in the IRC Way – our Code of Conduct. These are Integrity, Service, Accountability, and Equality.