OB TITLE: Legal Services Coordinator

DEPARTMENT: Refugee Representation

PRIMARY LOCATION: Los Angeles, CA

REPORTS TO: Senior Staff Attorney (LA)

JOB STATUS: Full-Time; Non-Exempt; Union

PURPOSE OF THE JOB:

The Legal Services Coordinator (LSC) will work as part of Human Rights First’s Los Angeles-based Refugee Representation team, while providing general LSC support to other offices as needed. The Legal Services Coordinator will work closely with our asylum-seeking clients, and in-house and volunteer attorneys during the clients’ immigration cases. The Legal Services Coordinator will coordinate and conduct initial screenings and interviews with asylum seekers seeking legal representation; The Legal Services Coordinator will coordinate and conduct initial screenings and interviews with asylum seekers seeking legal representation; handle the administrative details of our asylum legal representation work, including scheduling and case management; and assist with development, outreach and advocacy goals related to asylum and refugee protection.

MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Assist in responding to inquiries and requests for assistance from asylum seekers, including scheduling, coordinating, and conducting initial screening interviews;
• Perform in-depth, detailed interviews with potential clients, who are often victims of torture and human rights abuses, to ascertain their eligibility for asylum and representation through our program; and conduct related country conditions research;
• Assist in placing accepted cases with appropriate volunteer attorneys; communicate in a responsive and efficient manner with volunteer attorneys, other human rights organizations, and the public; and assist in the provision of support for volunteer attorneys;
• Contact volunteer attorneys and clients to obtain updates on cases; coordinate the case closure process; and serve as liaison among volunteer attorneys, clients, and in-house Refugee Representation team staff, as needed;
• Organize legal trainings, clinics, and other events;
• Participate in and support workshops and presentations that provide asylum seekers with legal information about the asylum process;
• Assist in managing the Refugee Representation team’s administrative/clerical needs:

1. Compiling informational packets and case summaries;
2. Entering, updating, maintaining, and retrieving data relating to cases, clients, potential clients, volunteer attorneys, and other contacts in our database, and coordinating with the information services department on database and technology issues;
3. Maintaining and organizing electronic and hard copy files, correspondence, and publications;
4. Coordinating meetings and agendas; and
5. Providing general administrative and case support to the refugee representation team as needed.

• Support organizational outreach, development, and advocacy objectives, including assistance with web materials, written materials, coalition-building, newsletters, and e-advocacy;
• Assist with recruiting, training, and supervision of non-legal interns, ensuring that these volunteers are meaningfully engaged;
• Coordinate client support services and referrals;
• Assist with grant reporting and maintenance of relevant data;
• Other duties as requested based on department and/or organizational need.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

• A Bachelor’s degree and at least one year of post-college work experience in a related field, with previous experience working with asylum-seekers or refugees strongly preferred;
• Demonstrated excellence in written and oral communication, with advanced research and analytical skills;
• Superb organizational skills, including the ability to manage numerous tasks simultaneously, work under pressure, and meet deadlines;
• Capacity to prioritize duties, and work independently while functioning as a member of a team and across offices;
• Ability to communicate patiently, respectfully and empathically with individuals from a variety of backgrounds;
• Excellent computer skills, including knowledge of database, word processing, and spreadsheet applications;
• Good judgment and attention to detail;
• Fluency in Spanish required; fluency in additional languages, particularly French or Arabic, is highly desirable.

Human Rights First is committed to recruiting, retaining, and developing staff from a diversity of backgrounds, including members of racial and ethnic minorities, LGBTQ people, people with disabilities, people of all socioeconomic backgrounds, people of all nationalities, and veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces. We believe that a diverse staff and an inclusive work environment that welcomes a range of perspectives help make our advocacy work stronger and more effective.

Apply at: https://www.humanrightsfirst.org/careers?gnk=job&gni=8a7887a87a219b2e017a2f46421d7ad8&lang=en