Legal Advocate-Immigration Specialist

Exciting Opportunity Alert! Join Our Team at Sierra Community House!

Are you ready for a better work-life balance without sacrificing pay? We're thrilled to announce that Sierra Community House has transitioned to a 32-hour workweek while maintaining the same annual pay as 40 hours!

At Sierra Community House, we believe in prioritizing employee well-being. Our new work week structure allows you to enjoy more time for yourself, family, and passions, all while earning the salary you deserve.

Position: Legal Advocate-Immigration Specialist

Location: Truckee, CA

Hours: 32 hours per week, four 8-hour workdays, Monday-Thursday

Compensation: Competitive non-exempt, hourly wage based on experience, starting range is $30.84 -34.24 per hour, DOE

Benefits: Medical, dental, vision, flexible spending accounts, online mental telehealth, life insurance, and 401k match.

Sierra Community House is seeking a Legal Advocate to provide immigration legal assistance to participants experiencing legal issues around immigration. The Legal Advocate-Immigration Specialist will collaborate with existing Mediation and Legal Assistance program staff to provide direct case management to clients, after significant training. The Legal Advocate-Immigration Specialist must be able to interview clients compassionately and advocate for clients persuasively in writing and managing complex cases. The Legal Advocate-Immigration Specialist must have an insatiable curiosity and an appetite for the arcane complexities of immigration law. The Legal Advocate-Immigration Specialist must have deep reserves of kindness and patience and must be able to extend kindness and patience even (especially) when it is not reciprocated. The Legal Advocate-Immigration Specialist must be able to read, write, speak and listen competently in both English and Spanish.

As the ability to drive without restrictions is essential to this position, upon hire, a printout of the employee's DMV record is required. In order to ensure the new hire meets the required standards of both the job position and the overall industry, fingerprinting is required, as well. New employees will schedule an appointment for fingerprinting through one of our approved locations during the first week of employment.

A benefit allotment is offered the first of the month following hire, that covers medical, and the remaining allotment may be used toward a cafeteria of options ranging from dental, vision, and flexible spending accounts for health and/or childcare. After 90 days, employees are automatically enrolled in a retirement account and Sierra Community House matches up to 3%. Other covered benefits, provided at no cost to the employee, are telehealth for the employee and any immediate family members in the same household, and life insurance. Sierra Community House is an Equal Opportunity Employer. A copy of our policy is available upon request. We hope to fill the position as soon as possible.

QUALIFICATIONS:

A. Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience

B. Must be willing and able to pursue a Department of Justice (DOJ) accreditation through the Office of Legal Access Programs, Executive Office of Immigration Review, and Department of Justice. Time and training will be provided.

C. Fluency in speaking and writing in English/Spanish is required.

D. Must be able to follow instructions, be detail-oriented, and work independently and as part of a team.

E. Strong decision-making skills, initiative, and comfort with ambiguity.

F. Strong verbal and written skills.

G. Strong organizational skills and ability to multi-task.

H. General knowledge of immigration law preferred.

I. Computer skills are required.

J. Must have a reliable means of transportation.

K. Ability to work during some weekends and evenings as needed.

Partial Job Description:

1. Assist community members with issues surrounding immigration under the direction of the Senior Legal Immigration Specialist, specifically: Naturalization, green card renewals, family petitions, adjustment of status, DACA renewal, extreme hardship waivers for consular process, U-Visas, VAWA, FOIA and screening for eligibility for protection from deportation.

2. Participate in intakes with the Senior Legal Immigration Specialist. Once trained, may conduct intakes, with approval from the Senior Legal Immigration Specialist.

3. Collaborate with the Senior Legal Immigration Specialist on case preparation. Once appropriately trained, may work independently with approval from the Senior Legal Immigration Specialist.

4. All outgoing correspondence on behalf of immigration clients must be reviewed and signed by the Senior Legal Immigration Specialist.

5. Support other Sierra Community House staff regarding immigration legal issues that may arise when working with participants.

6. Assist community members with hearing preparation for their clients and accompany them to court when appropriate.

7. Attend regular Legal Team meetings.

• Demonstrated familiarity with community resources.
• Maintain general knowledge of immigration law.

10. Participate actively in training conducted by the Senior Legal Immigration Specialist, including third-party training assignments. The Senior Legal Immigration Specialist will identify courses.

11. Establish and maintain relationships with staff members at the various court sites and collaborative partners within our service area.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $30.84 - $34.24 per hour

Expected hours: 32 per week

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Disability insurance
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid sick time
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Weekends as needed

Work Location: In person

Salary : $31 - $34