What are the responsibilities and job description for the Legal Secretary Upstate Immigration Court Project Buffalo, New York position at Prisoners’ Legal Services of New York (PLS)?
Legal Secretary Upstate Immigration Court Project Buffalo, New York
Prisoners’ Legal Services of New York (PLS) is seeking a legal secretary for the Upstate Immigration Court Project for our regional office in Buffalo, New York.
About PLS
PLS is a non-profit legal services organization providing civil legal services to indigent individuals in New York State correctional facilities in cases where no other counsel is available. Founded in 1976 in response to the Attica uprising, PLS provides immigration removal defense and engages in civil rights advocacy and litigation related to conditions of confinement. PLS has regional offices in Albany, Buffalo, Ithaca, and Newburgh.
Job Description
The PLS Upstate Immigration Court Project provides free legal representation to non-citizens incarcerated in New York State prison facing immigration removal proceedings under the Institutional Hearing Program (IHP) and individuals in immigration detention at the Albany, Rensselaer, and Clinton County Jails. These proceedings take place at the Bedford Hills and Ulster Immigration Courts, located inside New York State correctional facilities in upstate New York and at the Batavia Immigration Court in Batavia, NY.
The ideal candidate is committed to providing legal support to attorneys who represent disadvantaged populations. This position requires extremely strong computer and case management system skills, cultural competency and compassion, project coordination experience, and the ability to work well with all levels of internal management and staff, as well as clients, agencies, and vendors. The legal secretary handles confidential and time sensitive information. Typical duties and responsibilities include but are not limited to:
- Answer phone calls and circulate messages to case handlers;
- Receive and screen visitors;
- Open mail and process intake forms and documents;
- Send and track outgoing and incoming mail;
- Data collection, entry and management;
- Open, organize, and close case files;
- Establish and maintain record keeping and filing systems for office;
- Monitor incoming and outgoing court calendars, referrals, and intakes;
- Assist case handlers in regular correspondence with DOCCS facilities and courts and prepare documents for attorney review;
- Prepare disbursements, billing, expense vouchers and maintain financial expense records;
- Interpret phone calls and in-person interviews and translate documents for court submission;
- General office administration; and
- Work cooperatively with clients, peers and supervisors.
Qualifications
- Fluency in written and verbal Spanish and English is strongly preferred. Additional language skills are highly favored.
- Proficiency in Word, Excel, and Adobe is required.
- Ability to provide administrative support to one or more lawyers and legal professionals and collaborate with other colleagues is required.
- Minimum high school degree or GED is required. Associate or bachelor’s degree is preferred.
- Experience working in New York law offices, legal services organizations, or other work environments that directly handle and protect private client information is preferred;
-
The ideal candidate will also have the following:
- Strong organizational skills, attention to detail and time management
- Strong typing, computer, and software skills
- Effective written and verbal communication skills
- A commitment to, and passion for, serving vulnerable New Yorkers of diverse backgrounds.
Salary and Benefits
PLSNY is a unionized workplace, and salaries are set pursuant to a collective bargaining agreement. SALARY TRANSPARENCY: The anticipated annual salary range for this position is $41,776 – $50,589. Specific salary offers will be dependent on candidate qualifications, including collectively bargained salary steps for unionized roles.
PLS also offers a comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, short- and long-term disability, life insurance, and a 401(k)-retirement plan.
PLS’s Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion
All qualified applicants will be afforded equal employment opportunities without discrimination because of sex, race, color, age, national origin, religion, disability, genetic information, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, citizenship, pregnancy or veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable law.
Formerly incarcerated individuals or previously detained individuals are encouraged to apply.
How to Apply
Please submit your cover letter, resume, and at least three (3) references by email to mdunn@plsny.org. No phone calls, please. Due to the volume of applications expected, only applicants who are contacted for interviews will receive a response. The position will remain open until it is filled.
Salary : $41,776 - $50,589