THE ORGANIZATION
The
Florence Immigrant & Refugee Rights Projectwas founded in 1989 to respond to a representation crisis for indigent non-citizens detained at the rural Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Detention Center in Florence, Arizona. Through our programs today, we provide services to more than 10,000 men, women, and children detained in Eloy, Florence, Phoenix, and Tucson, Arizona on any given day. The Florence Project has become known nationally for its legal service delivery systems which ensure detained people empowered access to justice. The Florence Project provides high quality legal advice or representation and supports initiatives for national changes in immigration law and policy.
POSITION DESCRIPTION: LEGAL ASSISTANT ADVOCACY PROGRAM
The Florence Project has an opening for a legal assistant with our Advocacy Program. The legal assistant will work on a team with attorneys and a communications manager to provide strategic legal services to detained men, women, and children in ORR and ICE custody. The legal assistant will also assist in working with other national and local partners to further FIRRP’s work and mission. This position reports directly to the Advocacy Team Managing Attorney. Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
- Provide logistical and administrative support to attorneys representing cases before the federal district court, EOIR, and other courts of appeal
- Filing briefs and motions, mailing briefs and motions, assisting with electronic filing of cases, maintain confidential legal files;
- Data entry
- Entering organizational data into databases, maintaining data entry requirements by following data program techniques and procedures;
- Maintaining client confidence and protecting operations by keeping information confidential;
- Screen adult and children clients for potential membership in local or national litigation efforts and provide logistical support to those litigation efforts
- Track emerging trends through work with other FIRRP direct service teams
- Enter data in case management software
- Review intakes and gather information from direct service teams
- Coordinate and provide logistical support for Advocacy Team members representing FIRRP in national stakeholder meetings and media engagement
- Occasional translation and interpretation for clients in furtherance of the Advocacy Team’s work
- Other duties as necessary—which may include, going to facilities to get signatures, assisting with document collection, etc.
The position is based in our Tucson office with frequent travel to Florence, Eloy, and Phoenix. Exceptional candidates in Phoenix will be considered.
QUALIFICATIONS
We are seeking applicants who have a demonstrated commitment to immigrant rights, social justice, or human rights issues. We seek hard working team players who are flexible and who enjoy working in a collaborative, fast-paced, high volume nonprofit setting. Prior work or internship experience in immigration rights, human rights, criminal justice, or in a nonprofit legal services setting is a plus. The applicant must have:
- Must be fluent or professionally proficient in Spanish
- Proficient typing skills
- Computer skills and proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, including Word, Excel, Access
- Organizational abilities
- Administrative skills
- Good communication skills, both written and verbal
- Self-motivation
- The ability to work independently and as part of a team
- A conscientious and responsible working attitude
- Accuracy and good attention to detail
- The ability to do the same task for long periods of time
- The ability to work under pressure and adhere to tight deadlines
- Good spelling, punctuation, and grammar
- A positive approach in a busy working environment
- A good understanding of data confidentiality issues
- Ability to travel regularly, especially between offices and secondary work locations
Must be able to pass basic background checks and obtain security clearance to enter detention facilities
SALARY AND BENEFITS
This is a full-time, salaried exempt position. Starting salary is $40,000. The Florence Project strives to create and uphold a positive, supportive, and inclusive work environment for staff. We offer excellent benefits, including medical, dental, vision, and basic life insurance, with full premiums paid by the Florence Project. We also provide mileage reimbursement for travel between offices and places of work. After one year of employment, employees are eligible for the employer matching retirement plan. Paid time off includes one personal day each month in addition to fifteen days of vacation and twelve days of sick/medical leave annually, six weeks of parental leave (up to twelve weeks total, with option to use personal, vacation, and sick paid time off for unpaid portion), and bereavement leave, in addition to observing all federal holidays. After three years of employment with the Florence Project, employees are eligible for an eight week paid sabbatical.
APPLICATION PROCESS
This is an immediate opening. Please apply soon to join our exciting team! Complete the application below; upload your resume, cover letter detailing your interest in the position and three professional references. Applications will be considered on a rolling basis, and we encourage applicants to apply as soon as possible. Only applicants considered for an interview will be contacted. The Florence Project values diversity in the workplace and strongly encourages applications from people of color, LGBTQ individuals, individuals with disabilities, and members of underrepresented communities.
This job announcement is for informational purposes only, and is subject to change and modification without notice. This job announcement includes a non-exhaustive list of responsibilities, qualifications and requirements of the position, but does not necessarily include all job functions of the position.