Immigration Legal Assistant

Immigration Legal Assistant

When you join Catholic Charities of Southern Nevada, you're becoming part of a mission that has uplifted our community since 1941. Every day, your work directly supports the most vulnerable individuals in Southern Nevada — offering dignity, hope, and critical services to people of all backgrounds, regardless of race, religion, or creed.

As one of the region's leading nonprofit service providers, we operate 16 impactful programs that reach more than 4,000 people each day. Our team serves across four essential areas — Family Services, Food Services, Immigration and Refugee Services, and Homeless and Housing Services — including the largest Meals on Wheels and Emergency Shelter programs in Southern Nevada. When you work here, you're not just doing a job; you're helping transform lives.

We believe in taking care of the people who take care of our community. Catholic Charities provides a comprehensive benefits package, including:

• Competitive insurance coverage
• Generous paid time off
• A retirement plan to support your future

The Legal Assistant serves as an assistant to the Director of Immigration Services (Director) and is responsible for administrative duties and assisting clients as directed by the Director. The Legal Assistant is expected to work with all Immigration staff to ensure effective delivery of service and informs the Director of any programmatic developments or challenges. Administrative duties include opening client files, answering and responding to clients' questions, issues or concerns in person, phone and/or email, and collecting/reconciling of fees.

Essential Responsibilities:

• Schedule consultations and assist with preparing for Immigration Court and USCIS proceedings.
• Inform prospective clients, agency or other service providers of services offered by Immigration Services.
• On behalf of the Director, contacts Immigration Court in order to obtain information or the status of a pending case.
• At the request of and under the supervision of the Director, may prepare immigration applications on behalf of the client which will be turned in to Director for final review.
• Maintain regular communication with client and mailing of correspondences.
• Ensure phone calls and emails are returned within 24 hours.
• Assists with opening and managing of case files.
• Prepares and drafts written correspondences in both English and Spanish.
• Provide translation of certain documents when needed by the client.
• Maintain ongoing communication with Director to discuss issues and case status on pending cases.
• Collect clients' fees and issue receipt for services.
• Reconcile money collected and submit funds to Finance.
• Manages billing and recording of money collected in database.
• Informs Finance Department information on the receivables.
• Order office supplies for program when needed.
• Serves as back-up to Receptionist when needed.
• Adhere to CCSN's standards of conduct, required level of professionalism, and all standard operation procedures.
• Protect all confidential information, company property and electronic data. Comply with safety rules.
• Other related duties as directed by Director or VP of Immigration and Migration Services.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Due to clientele, bilingual in English and Spanish is mandatory.
• Knowledge of the immigration system and immigration laws.
• Ability to work as a team member and take direction from Director to ensure each case is in compliance with agency, EOIR, DHS, USCIS and BIA.
• Work under pressure and handle stressful situations effectively.
• Prioritize work and meet necessary deadlines.
• Capable of setting boundaries with clients, being professional, and compassionate.
• Knowledge of local social service providers.
• Ability to work in a multi-cultural setting.
• Sound judgement with ability to work autonomously.
• Possess excellent oral and written communication as well as organizational skills.
• Proficiency in computers and software including Microsoft Office. Experience in Lawlogix is a plus.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Social Service field from an accredited college or university preferred.
• Minimum of three years of work experience in immigration legal setting or other combination of education and related equivalent experience.
• Flexible schedule to work after hours and weekends, as necessary.

Physical Requirements:

• Primarily works in office environment, but will also work throughout the agency and off site.
• Ability to communicate with immigration clients, social service providers, volunteers, and co-workers.
• Ability to operate and use office equipment, especially computer, keyboard, mouse and copy machine.
• Ability to continuously sit and/or stand. Ability to climb stairs as needed.
• May occasionally lift up to 25 pounds.

This position pays $22.00 per hour. CCSN is a drug free and equal opportunity employer. All employees must successfully complete a drug test and background check prior to employment.