Be part of a critical effort to serve vulnerable homeless, disabled and at-risk immigrants and tenants in San Francisco. The Justice & Diversity Center of The Bar Association of San Francisco (JDC) advances fairness and equality by providing free legal services to low-income people and educational programs that foster diversity in the legal profession. JDC currently has an exciting and challenging opportunity for a full-time Immigration Paralegal at its Homeless Advocacy Project (HAP) in San Francisco’s Civic Center/Tenderloin area.
The Immigration Paralegal will provide assistance and representation to homeless and at-risk clients who need assistance with immigration matters. The position will work as part of the Homeless Advocacy Project’s immigration team under the supervision of HAP’s Supervising Immigration Attorney.
About HAP:
HAP is working to end homelessness in San Francisco and to reduce the negative effects of homelessness on the individuals and families we serve. At HAP, we have found that our work has the greatest impact when we focus on eviction prevention, benefits advocacy, and immigration issues. Our clients are individuals and families who are homeless or at serious risk of homelessness. While each client comes with a unique story of struggle, we give priority to clients who have mental health disabilities, as they often have the most difficulty navigating the legal system without representation. Our office utilizes a holistic approach to the problems our clients face by providing legal representation with supportive social services.
HAP is a program of the Justice & Diversity Center (JDC.) a non-profit provider of legal services to low-income and indigent San Francisco residents. JDC serves clients by recruiting and training private attorneys and legal support staff to assist individual clients, and by utilizing experienced staff to provide direct representation to clients. HAP is primarily a staff-based project.
About the Job:
The Immigration Paralegal works 35 hours per week to evaluate HAP clients’ immigration status and help documented or documented eligible residents apply for or replace their proper immigration documents. This may include obtaining and evaluating criminal records, obtaining necessary supporting documentation, obtaining, translating and evaluating legal documents from clients’ countries of origin, working with local, state and federal officials and agencies, including ICE, and appearing with or on behalf of clients before United States Citizenship and Immigration Services, USCIS. Advocacy and representation may also include preparing applications for adjustment of status, citizenship, U-visas, or asylum as well as providing appropriate advice and referrals for undocumented clients. The Immigration Paralegal will manage a busy caseload from initial intake through successful resolution of the clients’ objectives. The Immigration Paralegal will meet with clients in the HAP office and may also do outreach to the street or shelters.
Equipment or Machines That Must Be Operated to Perform the Position Acceptably:
General office machines
Location & Hours:
Responsibilities will normally be performed at HAP’s office located in San Francisco, during normal business hours, which are Tuesday through Friday, from 8:30am to 5:45pm. Some responsibilities, including outreach, filing and serving documents, or appearing at USCIS, may be performed off-site or at evening events as specifically scheduled. This position also requires extensive computer and some telephone use. Based on office poilices, the position may be eligible for a hybrid work schedule.
Education:
- Bachelor’s Degree, or an equivalent combination of relevant education, training, and expertise sufficient to perform the essential duties of the position;
- Paralegal certification, training or experience preferred
Experience:
- At least two years’ experience in and knowledge of immigration law and issues;
- Experience serving very low-income clients and clients with mental health disabilities
Skills & Qualifications:
- Bilingual in Spanish (required), including strong written skills
Ability to:
- be professional, mature, flexible, help in any capacity as needed for the project and HAP overall, demonstrate a good sense of humor, and maintain confidentiality
- be self-directed and resourceful with high ethical standards
- communicate in person, on the telephone, and in writing in a clear, calm and courteous manner, including with individuals at government agencies and other organizations, and with individuals who have physical or mental disabilities or who may be agitated or in crisis.
- multi-task in a high volume, fast-paced environment and independently prioritize with high attention to detail, effectively managing multiple cases, clients or projects simultaneously
- simultaneously manage multiple components of a case or project from beginning to end, including setting and meeting deadlines
- enter all data into the database in compliance with the requirements of our funders
- Excellent oral, written, and client service skills
- Knowledge of MS Office (Outlook, Word, Excel)
Why Work For Us:
We offer a collaborative work environment, a progressive work culture, and a wonderfully diverse staff. Additionally, we have a standard 35-hour workweek, flexible scheduling (manager’s discretion), and we are a mission and values driven organization.
We also offer competitive pay and a generous benefits package that includes: a choice of medical insurance plans, dental insurance, vision insurance, pre-tax commuter, health, and dependent care accounts, employer-paid short- and long-term disability insurance, life insurance, the opportunity to contribute to a retirement account, and more!
To Apply:
Please submit your resume and cover letter.
Equal Opportunity Employer
BASF/JDC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We conduct all employment-related activities without regard to race, color, sex, religion, age, national origin, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation or any other classification protected by applicable local, state or federal employment discrimination laws. BASF/JDC welcomes diversity in the workplace.
Pay: $35.36 per hour
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Vision insurance
Work Location: In person
