CCJS@USG News and Updates

Bilingual (Spanish/English) Paralegal—Apply by March 16, 2020

The University of Maryland Support, Advocacy, Freedom, and Empowerment (SAFE) Center for Human Trafficking Survivors is seeking a Bilingual (English/Spanish) Paralegal. The paralegal will provide administrative and paralegal support to the legal team in the representation of human trafficking survivors in immigration and crime victims’ rights matters. The paralegal will primarily assist the legal team with the preparation of a variety of immigration legal applications including T and U visa applications, asylum applications, adjustment of status, naturalization applications and other immigration relief as appropriate to each case. The paralegal will also conduct client screenings and intakes, and perform policy and legal research. The paralegal will work under the direct supervision of the SAFE Center’s immigration legal counsel. 

Responsibilities: 

Provide direct legal service support to SAFE Center attorneys:  

• Screen potential clients and provide them with information and referrals.  
• Conduct client intakes and assessments. 
• Assist with factual country conditions research and gather other supporting evidence.  
• Draft petitions and assemble immigration applications with supporting evidence for filing with the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) as well as with the Immigration Court.  
• Assist attorneys with expungements, requests for restitution, crime victims’ rights enforcement, and referrals to pro- and low-bono attorneys on matters in other areas of law (family, criminal defense, etc.)
• Draft general correspondence. 
• Schedule client meetings and communicate with clients to coordinate case preparation. 
• Open new client files, and prepare hard copy file, including retainers, releases, and G-28s. 
• Provide administrative support (filing in person, mail, faxing, copying, phones & scheduling). 
• Assist with maintenance of case calendar and Tickler system. 
• Maintain case files and ensure case notes are regularly updated. 
• Close files and prepare closing letters. 

General program support 

• Assist SAFE Center with client data entry and other tasks to support grant submissions and grant reporting. 
• Attend or participate in trainings, public outreach and task force meetings as needed. 
• Conduct and support legal and policy research. 
• Other duties as assigned. 

Qualifications, Skills, and Abilities:

• Education: B.A. or Equivalent Educational and Professional Experience 
• Verbal and written fluency in Spanish required. 
• A minimum of two years working in immigration legal services. 
• A positive and collaborative approach to working with clients, colleagues and organizational partners from diverse backgrounds and disciplines. 
• Excellent organizational and project management skills. 
• Ability to maintain the confidentiality of client information in accordance with professional standards 
• Proficient in information technology word processing, spreadsheets, and databases. 
• Preferred Experience: Experience providing direct services to survivors of human trafficking, domestic violence, and/or sexual assault or trauma is preferred.

Please apply at this link: https://ejobs.umd.edu/postings/77310. Best Consideration Date: March 16, 2020

A resume, cover letter, brief writing sample and a list of three references are required. 

 Salary range is $40,000 to $45,000 commensurate with experience. The University of Maryland offers an excellent benefits package.