Immigrant Defenders Law Center (“ImmDef”) is a next-generation, social justice law firm that provides high-quality representation and legal services to immigrants in Southern California and beyond. ImmDef was founded with the belief that no immigrant should be forced to face an unjust immigration system alone and our universal representation programs are a first step towards that goal. Learn more about us at www.immdef.org.
ImmDef represents thousands of adults, children and families annually who have multi-faceted, complex and urgent legal needs as they face our unjust immigration system. ImmDef is currently seeking a full-time administrative assistant to join our team of fearless advocates providing creative and zealous representation to our clients in Los Angeles, CA. Administrative Assistants will be joining the largest non-profit, universal representation model deportation defense team in the state of California.
The Administrative Assistant role under the direction of the Administrative Coordinator involves a variety of essential functions. This is an excellent entry-level position where the successful applicant will get their foot-in-the-door at an organization that is engaged in cutting edge immigration litigation for individual clients with an overarching organizational goal of fighting for a more just immigration system.
(This job post may be used to hire additional Administrative Assistants on a Temp-to-Hire basis. )
Essential functions for this role include, but are not limited to:
- Sending, receiving, and processing all correspondence;
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Distributing mail and packages to staff and departments;
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Processing shipments through carriers such as USPS and FedEx, including occasional in-person trips to the Post Office as needed;
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Lifting, moving, and transporting packages or files while following safe handling practices;
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Cataloguing and maintaining ImmDef's case filing system;
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Creating and archiving client files;
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Maintaining internal databases to support program needs;
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Performing clerical duties such as filing, photocopying, scanning, and faxing;
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Maintaining spreadsheets and updating case data and other records;
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Providing backup administrative support to paralegals and attorneys as needed;
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Maintaining office common areas and assessing ongoing operational needs;
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Other duties as assigned by the Administrative Coordinator and ImmDef leadership.
When coverage is needed, and in times of high case volume, this position will serve as a backup receptionist and administrative support team member by:
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Answering and appropriately routing telephone calls and visitors;
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Responding to inquiries from ImmDef clients, partner organizations, and community members;
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Greeting visitors and clients in a welcoming, professional, and respectful manner;
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Maintaining and monitoring client waiting areas;
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Notifying legal team staff when guests and clients arrive;
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Providing Spanish-to-English and English-to-Spanish interpretation and basic translation support for clients as needed;
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Assisting with the initiation of representation for new clients;
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Maintaining attorney calendars and providing scheduling support;
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Filing documents electronically or in person with immigration courts, state courts, and other agencies as needed;
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Submitting records requests to agencies such as EOIR, USCIS, FBI, and other government entities;
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Providing general administrative and clerical support to legal and administrative staff;
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Performing other duties as assigned by the Administrative Coordinator and ImmDef leadership.
- Ability to regularly lift, carry, and move mail, files, and packages.
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Ability to travel locally to the Post Office, courts, government agencies, and other locations as needed to support organizational operations.
Desired Qualifications:
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High School Degree or GED is required, Bachelor’s degree is preferred;
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Passion and enthusiasm for providing high quality client services;
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Exceptional organizational skills and attention to detail;
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Ability to take initiative and problem-solving skills;
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Proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook and Power Point;
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Experience working at a nonprofit or a public interest law firm is helpful;
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Demonstrated ability to work within a high-volume, busy law office is a plus;
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Excellent written and verbal communication skills in both English and Spanish;
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Enthusiasm for working at a mission driven organization and passion for social justice for immigrants required;
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DACA Recipients strongly encouraged to apply!
Level of Language Proficiency
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Spanish fluency is required and will be tested at time of interview.
You can learn more about our programs at www.immdef.org.
Due to the large number of applicants, we are unable to respond to every applicant and will only contact those who are invited to interview for the position.
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This position is included in the ImmDef employee union bargaining unit.
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Base compensation is $23.00 to $28.75 per hour, depending on experience.
Schedule:
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ImmDef’s standard work schedule is 35 hours per week, or 70 hours per pay period.
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Administrative Assistants are generally required to work on-site Monday through Friday from 9:00 am to 4:30 pm.
Holidays and Paid Time Off :
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13 paid holidays
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1-Week paid winter break between Christmas Eve and New Years
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15 vacation days per year
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15 Sick Days per year
Health, Dental and Vision Insurance:
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ImmDef provides health coverage on the first of the month following 30 days on the job.
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We cover 100% of premiums for our base dental and vision plans for our staff members and 75% of base plan dental and vision premiums for their dependents. ImmDef also covers 89% of the base plan medical premiums for our staff and 69% of the base plan medical premiums for their dependents.
FSA and Dependent Care FSA:
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ImmDef offers FSA plans to help offset the costs of eligible health care expenses for you, your spouse, and your eligible dependents using pre-tax dollars.
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We also offer Dependent Care FSA to pay for eligible dependent care services, such as preschool, summer day camp, before or after school programs, and child or adult daycare.
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Eligible for Parental Leave which includes six (6) weeks of ImmDef paid leave.
401(k) Retirement Savings Plan & Employer Matching:
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ImmDef staff are eligible to enroll in our 401(k) plans immediately upon hire, contributing pre-tax dollars towards their retirement goals.
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After six months on staff, ImmDef will match 100% of contributions up to 3% of the employee’s salary.
Public Service Loan Forgiveness:
Parking and Public Transportation Stipends:
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Staff members assigned to an office without free on-site parking are eligible to receive a parking stipend of up to $130 per month in actual accrued parking or transportation costs.
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Staff in all offices are eligible to receive a public transportation stipend of up to $100 per month in actual accrued public transportation costs.
