Community Based Immigration Legal Services Coordinator

Why you should apply  

We are a team of lawyers, paralegals and administrative professionals working with immigrants and refugees to ensure that our clients receive quality legal advice and representation. We have built a fantastic team who collaborate well and are committed to supporting each other as we advocate for the best interests of our clients. Serving clients with limited income and complex legal and other needs is difficult , but we do this work because of the huge impact that it has on people’s lives. We are honored to do this incredibly rewarding and important work for our community. 

This position will serve as a face of compassion and hope in the chaos and confusion of the immigration system. 

The Immigration Legal Services Department does their work by assisting individuals with immigration needs to navigate complex legal systems and procedures to successfully meet their goals. JFCS assists individuals with Adjustment of Status (Green Card) applications, family reunification, employment authorizations, victim visas, visa renewals/extensions, naturalization, unaccompanied children’s issues and limited representation for some individuals in removal proceedings. JFCS Immigration Legal Services works holistically with all other departments in the agency to ensure that people who are struggling obtain the range of assistance they need. 

Position Summary:  

We are seeking a motivated and detail-oriented individual to serve as the Community Based Immigration Legal Services Coordinator for the Immigration Legal Services Department. This position will work directly with staff attorneys and other JFCS employees to develop a community-based legal orientation program and facilitate a community-based legal services program utilizing both JFCS staff attorneys and pro-bono volunteers.  

Duties and Responsibilities:  

Community Based Legal Services Coordination 

• Spearhead the development of a community-based legal group orientation and information program for immigrants including overview of forms of immigration relief, explanation of the immigration legal system and basic rights during interaction with law enforcement

• Monitor implementation of community based legal services program to help troubleshoot and recommend improvements

• Coordinate self-help workshops in conjunction with staff and pro bono attorneys where unrepresented individuals with potential relief are provided in-depth guidance on specific topics and given self-help legal materials

• Serve as the point of contact and community-based liaison for the coordination of services for immigrants between JFCS and various immigration serving organizations in western Pennsylvania

• Conduct in depth, in-person legal screenings for individuals where they can briefly discuss their case and pose more specific questions

• Correspond with clients to obtain information, schedule appointments and answer questions.

• Clear, professional and appropriate communication with clients, staff and U.S. government officials.

• Map and develop referral pathways for social services and complimentary legal services in western Pennsylvania 
  
  Pro Bono Coordination

• Develop and implement a recruitment and retention strategy for volunteer attorneys

• Obtain clearances for all volunteer candidates and maintain appropriate records

• Develop, coordinate and facilitate trainings for pro bono attorneys and other volunteers

• Accurately track volunteer hours and activities for funding sources

• In conjunction with staff attorneys, assign cases to pro bono attorneys and manage, track and follow up on case assignments to ensure they are being handled appropriately

• Frequent participation in JFCS marketing and public relations outreach events 
  
  General

• Collect and enter data in the appropriate systems to track metrics and outcomes.

• Maintain client immigration files, both paper and electronic files to ensure they are complete and up to date.

• Participate in staff development and training opportunities provided by JFCS to stay abreast of changes and best practices.

• Enter and submit timesheets in a timely manner (weekly).

• Attending all department meetings, attending other meetings and training courses as required.

• Assume other responsibilities and participate in additional projects initiated by JFCS to provide support to diverse populations as assigned.

• Regular regional travel in western Pennsylvania is required as part of the job description

Qualifications:  

• Excellent written and oral communication skills required.  

• Ability to communicate with people of different racial, ethnic, cultural and socio-economic backgrounds. 

• Be culturally competent and practice a compassionate, trauma informed approach to working with immigrants.  

• Experience working in related social service or non-profit field. Experience in the legal field is helpful but not required.  

• At least 2 years of experience coordinating a project or providing critical operational support. 
• Must be a self-starter who is confident in taking initiative and working independently but also cooperatively in larger group settings.  

• Ability to balance competing priorities and communicate as priorities shift.  
• Ability to problem solve during stressful situations.  

• Must be flexible and adaptable. 

• Demonstrated ability to synthesize complex materials and topics into trainings and materials for non-experts in a cross-cultural environment. 

• Strong relationship building and networking skills. 

• Excellent time management and organizational skills. 

• Ability to work remotely and in a hybrid workplace environment