Senior Paralegal

Senior Paralegal

Department: Legal

Team: Legal

Reports to: Senior/Staff Attorney

Direct Reports: None

Employment Status: Permanent, Full Time/Exempt (40 hours/week) 

Location: Applicants based in New York City, Long Island, Capital Region, Hudson Valley, Western New York, or Finger Lakes are welcome to apply. Position will require regular travel within New York State, including the regions listed above and other parts of New York State. This position is mostly on-site, with a requirement of being in the office 4 days per week and remote 1 day per week.

Salary: $81,000/year

Overview of the Organization

The New York Immigration Coalition (NYIC) is an umbrella policy and advocacy organization for nearly 200 groups in New York State. We envision a New York State that is stronger because all people are welcome, treated fairly, and given the chance to pursue their dreams. Our mission is to unite immigrants, members, and allies so all New Yorkers can thrive. We represent the collective interests of New York’s diverse immigrant communities and organizations and devise solutions to advance them; advocate for laws, policies, and programs that lead to justice and opportunity for all immigrant groups; and build the power of immigrants and the organizations that serve them to ensure their sustainability, to improve people’s lives, and to strengthen our state.

Our organizational values: Inclusive & Representative; Fair & Just; Accountable & Trusted.

Position Overview

The Senior Paralegal will assist in playing a critical role in contributing to a network of legal services across several regions of New York State, with a focus on vulnerable immigrant populations and emerging legal services needs. The Senior Paralegal will contribute to the onboarding, training, and support of Legal Assistants and other full-time or contract support staff. The Senior Paralegal will report to the Senior/Staff Attorney and will work closely with internal teams as well as external partners, including legal service providers and community-based organizations.

NYIC Legal delivers limited scope legal services via legal clinics (in-person, remote, or hybrid) and remote 1:1 legal assistance. NYIC Legal also develops special projects and rapid response initiatives to serve clients caught in the midst of changing immigration laws, policies, and practice. The Senior Paralegal will ensure that the legal support services provided through this program are high quality and culturally responsive. Duties include direct services (completing screenings/intakes, requesting and researching client records, drafting declarations and applications, etc.), providing administrative support (filing, proofreading, managing supplies), and supporting the services provided by Legal Assistants. Duties also include supporting complex projects such as organizing and participating in legal clinics, designing new administrative workflows to improve efficiency and client services, and conducting audits to ensure accurate data of legal services completed. 

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

Coordination & Provision of Legal Support Services

• In coordination with their supervisor and Legal leadership, manage and/or support complex projects that expand clients’ access to legal services. Examples include organizing legal clinics, conducting trainings, creating resource materials, and implementing improved administrative workflows.
• Under the supervision of a licensed attorney, meet with clients in-person and remotely to assist them in completing pro se applications or motions for relief (e.g. applications for asylum, Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS), Temporary Protected Status (TPS), immigration court motions, habeas, etc.). Assistance includes collecting relevant information and documents, acting as a notary, and other related tasks. 
• Address rapid response needs and support special projects aimed at combating challenges arising from adverse changes in immigration law, policy, and practice.
• Engage in thorough case management, including gathering, organizing, preparing, and managing the translation of client documents in advance of hearings, interviews, filing deadlines, or other appointments.
• Organize applications and legal documents for review and filing.
• Ensure that clients agree to a limited scope of services and consent to information sharing for the purposes of assisting with consultations and application preparation.
• Pay attention to and maintain consistency across legal support services in communication with clients, document organization, and filing procedures.
• Contribute to the onboarding, training, and support of other full-time or contract support staff.

Data Collection

• Ensure that data is tracked and reported accurately following internal protocols. Conduct regular audits to ensure support staff across the team are entering accurate data regarding legal services completed.
• Communicate regularly with data management personnel to ensure efficient and accurate tracking of legal services provided and adherence to protocols.
• Adhere to, and if applicable, suggest policies and procedures to enhance the protection of personal identifying information and data privacy.

Other Responsibilities

• Respond to inquiries in a timely manner and adhere to submission deadlines.
• Comply with all policies and procedures designed to prevent the unauthorized practice of law, including obtaining final approval by an authorized licensed attorney before submission of any legal documents.
• In coordination with Legal leadership and other program staff, ensure that clients receive legal services that are ethically sound, trauma-informed, and adhere to best practices.
• Work outside of regular business hours on occasion, including evenings and weekends.
• May occasionally move or carry materials weighing 50 pounds or less.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• 2 to 4 years of immigration legal work experience under the supervision of a licensed attorney.
• Demonstrated commitment to the NYIC’s mission.
• Ability to collaborate with immigration attorneys and legal support staff.
• Adaptability to changing work environments, processes, and emerging needs.
• Ability to manage tight deadlines and competing priorities.
• Ability to strategize in a rapidly changing environment.
• Attention to detail, particularly in preparing applications and documents to be filed with various immigration agencies.
• Excellent recordkeeping and communications skills; ability to manage communications and inquiries, and gather required information and documents from program participants.
• Bilingual English- and Spanish-language speaker required.
• Bachelor's Degree or post-secondary program strongly recommended.
• Recognition as a Department of Justice (DOJ) Partially or Fully Accredited Representative strongly recommended.
• Active NYS Notary Public license is an advantage.
• Familiarity with Google Workspace and Asana is a plus.
• Experience liaising with elected officials, funders, or other high level contacts is an advantage.
• Interest in and/or knowledge of the NYIC, its members, or issues affecting immigrants in New York is an advantage.

Must be legally authorized to work in the United States for any employer

Salary: $81,000/year**

**The NYIC has a transparent and equitable salary structure. Starting salaries for each position are set in advance with no room for negotiation.

In addition to a competitive salary, the NYIC offers a full benefit plan, unlimited vacation time after 90 days of employment, paid sick time, commuter benefits and a comprehensive retirement plan.

To Apply: Interested candidates should submit a resume and a cover letter through Breezy.

All qualified applicants will be afforded equal employment opportunities without discrimination based on race, creed, color, national origin, immigration status or citizenship, sex, age, disability or marital status.