Legal Assistant
The legal assistant will support attorneys or Department of Justice (DOJ) accredited representatives to enable (1) provision of affirmative immigration relief services; (2) assist in providing representation of clients in removal proceedings; (3) services and outreach at assigned community college campuses and/or community events as needed; and (4) work closely with other UFW Foundation programs to drive an organizing culture which influences systemic change. Legal Assistants report to lead staff attorney or senior accredited representative.
The responsibilities of the incumbent include, but are not limited to opening, routing, and responding to correspondence, answering the telephone and routing/taking messages, as well as providing high-level general clerical support to the lead manager and assigned supervisor, and providing legal case support. Secondary duties will include various special projects related to the events and activities in which the organization or lead manager is involved.
Essential functions include utilizing computer hardware and software to produce documents, reading and routing incoming legal mail, composing and typing routine and complex correspondence, making copies of correspondence or other printed materials, preparing outgoing mail and correspondence, assisting with the coordination of special events, facilitating completion of immigration applications, translating documents from Spanish to English and vice-versa, providing information to potential immigration applicants, providing necessary follow-up after intakes to evaluate client's eligibility for relief, assisting/coordinating and directing on-site/off-site group processing workshops, developing and disseminating programmatic materials, providing administrative and legal support to Attorney(s), DOJ Representatives, and other management staff, assisting in maintaining accurate client database and case physical and/or electronic files, conducting initial intake for Immigration clients, answering and screening telephone calls and arranging conference calls, coordinating DOJ Accredited Representative or Attorney and making appointments, assisting other office staff with administrative needs, arranging and coordinating travel schedules and reservations for legal team members, organizing and maintaining file system, filing correspondence and other records, greeting all visitors/clients and assisting them with questions and appointment needs, coordinating meetings, preparing agendas, reserving, and preparing facilities for meetings and recording and transcribing minutes of meetings, coordinating office volunteers.
Supervisory responsibilities may involve coordinating and supervising office volunteers.
Minimum requirements include a high level of professionalism and organization, experience working in immigrant communities, communities of color, and low-income and working-class communities, bilingual (English and Spanish or English and indigenous language or English and other language as needed to meet communities' needs), ability to manage multiple projects in a fast-paced environment, self-motivated and able to work both independently and in conjunction with team members, collaboration, ability to work with teammates in a professional and solutions-oriented manner, dedication to mission, a genuine interest in immigrant and farm worker rights, excellent oral and written communication skills, excellent problem-solving skills, experience managing and executing across several communications media, flexibility, speed, and precision, ability to adjust quickly to constantly changing priorities with speed, precision, and accuracy, Si Se Puede® (It Can Be Done) attitude.
Preferred requirements and/or qualifications include none.
Education and/or experience include an associate degree (A. A.) or equivalent from two-year college or technical school; and two years or more of related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
Certificates, licenses, registrations include a valid California Class C driver's license, access to an automobile, insurance, and willingness to travel to off-site locations, requires the ability to type at a rate of not less than 50 Net Words Per Minute (NWPM).
Compensation is $20.00 to $24.00 hourly, and benefits include accruals of 2, 3, and 4 vacation weeks per year depending on tenure, 16 paid holidays (includes a personal day), 1 mental health day per calendar year, paid sick days, health, dental, and vision benefits, life insurance, flexible spending accounts, employee assistance program for support with personal and work-related challenges, 403(b) retirement plan with 2% employer match (providing employee meets criteria), 401(k) retirement plan with no employer match (providing employee meets criteria) *, employer-sponsored pension plan *, supplemental insurance (within 30 days of hire date) *, professional development opportunities and access to thousands of courses, 20% discount for immigration services through the UFW Foundation, many discounts, such as entertainment discounts for movie theaters, theme parks, etc. via ADP Lifemart, TicketsatWork, and UnionPlus.
Note: Some of the benefits listed above are not available to temporary employees. Eligibility and access to benefits may vary based on employment status and other factors.
Additional and/or special requirements and/or qualifications include a COVID-19 vaccination requirement.
Physical demands include sitting, using hands to finger, handle, or feel, reaching with hands and arms, talking or hearing, standing, walking, stooping, kneeling, crouching, or crawling, lifting and/or moving up to 10 pounds and occasionally lifting and/or moving up to 25 pounds.
Work environment includes a usually moderate noise level.
Equal opportunity employer: The UFW Foundation is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We believe a strong commitment to equal employment opportunity is more than a legal and moral obligation - it is also a sound business practice to realize the potential of every individual. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive work environment for all! In order to provide equal employment and advancement opportunity to all individuals, employment decisions at the UFW Foundation will be based on merit, qualifications, and abilities. Except where required or permitted by law, employment practices will not be influenced or affected by an applicant's or employee's race, color, religion, sex/gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, marital status, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, ancestry, disability, genetic information, age, or any characteristic protected by law.
We encourage all qualified applicants to apply for a position fighting for farm worker and immigrant communities! The UFW Foundation believes in second chances. As an organization, we will rely on individualized assessments in the hiring of those with past criminal convictions. The UFW Foundation will make reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with qualified disabilities under the Americans with Disabilities Act unless doing so would result in an undue hardship. Persons of color, gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people, persons with disabilities, persons who have lived in poverty, formerly incarcerated, persons 40 years old or older, and people fluent in more than one language are strongly encouraged to apply for open positions with the UFW Foundation.
This policy governs all aspects of employment, including selection, job assignment, compensation, counseling, discipline, termination, access to benefits and training. Our commitment to equal opportunity employment applies to all persons involved in our operations and prohibits unlawful discrimination by any employee, including supervisors and co-workers.