What are the responsibilities and job description for the St. Paul Community Defense Legal Assistant position at Immigrant Law Center of Minnesota?
St. Paul Community Defense
Legal Assistant
OUR ORGANIZATION
The Immigrant Law Center of Minnesota (ILCM) is Minnesota’s premier provider of comprehensive
immigration legal services to low-income clients of all nationalities. ILCM is a 30-person office with
five locations in the State of Minnesota including two Saint Paul offices and offices in Moorhead,
Worthington, Austin and a new office in Fargo, ND. ILCM has been in operation for over 25 years, and
is funded through individual, law firm, corporate, United Way, foundation, and local, state, and
federal government support.
OUR MISSION
The mission of ILCM is to enhance opportunities for immigrants and refugees through legal
representation for low-income individuals, and through education and advocacy with diverse
communities. Our goals are to:
- Remedy legal problems by providing quality immigration legal services to low-income
- Prevent legal problems by providing law-related education to immigrants and
- Raise public awareness of immigration issues to encourage sound public policy that
practical
THE ROLE
The Legal Assistant will be responsible for providing immigration legal assistance to low-income
immigrants and refugees as supervised by a licensed attorney on our Community Defense Team. This
team focuses on representation of individuals who have pending immigration court matters. The Legal
Assistant performs a variety of administrative duties to assist the team in representing clients in removal
proceedings and before U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.
Tasks may include client correspondence, writing letters, gathering information and evidence for cases,
screening new clients and answering phones, country conditions research, and administrative tasks. The
Legal Assistant will work out of the St. Paul office but can also be partially remote. ILCM envisions that
the individual in this role would ultimately become a Department of Justice (DOJ) accredited
representative who will be able to represent clients in USCIS affirmative cases and interviews.
MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES
- Assist and support attorneys and Department of Justice (DOJ) accredited representatives with
referrals for low-income immigrants and refugees
- Assist and support in outreach efforts to immigrant and refugee communities, professionals
issues.
- Maintain client records in compliance with organization protocols, governmental contracts,
SECONDARY RESPONSIBILITIES
- Participate in legal meetings, case review, and monthly staff meetings.
- Assist in proposal and grant report preparation as needed.
- Provide back-up in different areas as needed such as reception, intake, or detention line.
- Provide translation of documents and interpreting of phone calls as needed.
- Manage miscellaneous projects and complete various tasks as needed by management.
- Associate or Bachelor’s degree in any field, paralegal experience, or experience working in an
attorney’s office with some college credits.
- Fluency in a language spoken by a significant proportion of ILCM’s client population, such as
- Experience in working with diverse populations
- Experience in advocating on behalf of immigrants
- Proficient in all Microsoft programs such as Word, Excel, and Outlook. Experience with Legal
- Detail-oriented, service-oriented, organized and be able to meet deadlines.
- Dedicated, reliable, organized and able to handle a high volume of assignments.
- Exhibits positive attitude and flexibility and works effectively within a team.
- Experience with office equipment, including copiers, and telephone systems.
- Excellent interpersonal communication and superior customer service skills.
- Understands confidential nature of organization information and maintains confidences.
OUR VALUES
ILCM’s values are grounded in respect for and partnership with our immigrant and refugee clients.
- We bring our full legal passion, dedicated attention and highest quality service to our low-
clients and their families.
- We value relationships with the communities we serve and seek to express their full potential
- We work with excellence and integrity.
- We believe in taking action to make immigration systems work for all.
WORKING ENVIRONMENT
At this time, ILCM offers a hybrid work environment with staff selecting to work in the office, at home,
or mix of both. The Legal Assistant will be required to spend some time in the St. Paul office and in the
community to perform certain tasks.
COMPENSATION & BENEFITS
ILCM is proud to offer a competitive compensation package:
- Annual compensation: $39,000/$20 per hour – $48,750/$25 per hour.
- Benefits: Paid- time-off; Health, Dental, FSA, Life, Short/Long-term Disability Insurance, IRA
HOW TO APPLY
Please send a letter of interest and resume to: oficinalegal@ilcm.org Open until filled.
Visit our website at https://www.ilcm.org/ to learn more about our work.
ILCM is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing a work environment that is free
from harassment and discrimination. ILCM provides equal opportunity to all applicants for employment
in accordance with all federal, state, and local laws and will not refuse to hire any qualified individual, or
otherwise discriminate against any individual by reason of an employee’s race, color, creed, religion,
national origin, sex, sexual orientation, disability, age, marital status, familial status, status with regard
to public assistance, or any other characteristic protected by law. ILCM is committed to providing all
reasonable accommodations required by law to qualified individuals with disabilities who are applicants
for employment and/or who are employed at ILCM.
Salary : $20,000 - $39,000