Administrative Assistant

Overview

Immigrant Defenders Law Center ("Imm Def") is a next-generation, social justice law firm that provides high-quality representation and legal services to immigrants in Southern California and beyond. Imm Def 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 def.org.

Imm Def represents thousands of adults, children and families annually who have multi-faceted, complex and urgent legal needs as they face our unjust immigration system.

Imm Def is currently seeking a full-time Administrative Assistant to join our team in San Diego, CA. Administrative Assistants will be joining the largest non-profit, universal representation model deportation defense team in the state of California. This role operates under the direction of the Administrative Coordinator and 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 engaged in cutting-edge immigration litigation with the 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.

• Reception duties including: answering and routing telephone calls and visitors appropriately; fielding telephone calls from Imm Def clients, partner organizations, and other community members; maintaining and monitoring client waiting areas; greeting and directing visitors; notifying legal team staff when guests and clients have arrived.
• Maintaining office common areas and assessing ongoing needs.
• Sending, receiving, and processing all correspondence.
• Cataloguing and maintaining Imm Def’s case filing system.
• Creating and archiving client files.
• Maintenance of internal databases to support program needs.
• Performing other clerical duties such as filing, photocopying, scanning, faxing, maintaining spreadsheets, updating case data, etc.
• Providing back-up administrative support to paralegals and attorneys as needed.
• Meticulous calendaring and maintenance of attorney schedules.
• Assisting with initiation of representation for new clients.
• Provide Spanish to English and English to Spanish interpretation, translation of documents, and communication assistance for clients as needed.
• Filing documents electronically or in person at immigration and state courts.
• Submitting records requests with various agencies, such as Immigration Court and FBI.
• Other duties as assigned by the Administrative Coordinator and Imm Def leadership.
• Visiting local children’s shelters to provide Know Your Rights information.
• Assisting with posting bond payments.

• High School Degree or GED required;
  Bachelor’s degree preferred.
• Passion and enthusiasm for providing high-quality client services.
• Exceptional organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to take initiative and strong problem-solving skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook and PowerPoint.
• Experience working at a nonprofit or a public interest law firm is helpful.
• Demonstrated ability to work within a high-volume, busy law office is a plus.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in both English and Spanish.
• Enthusiasm for working at a mission-driven organization with a passion for social justice for immigrants.
• DACA recipients strongly encouraged to apply.

Level of Language Proficiency:
Spanish fluency is required and will be tested at the time of interview.

You can learn more about our programs def.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.

This position is included in the Imm Def employee union bargaining unit.

Base compensation is $20.57 to $26.29 per hour, depending on experience.

Schedule:

Imm Def’s standard work schedule is 35 hours per week, or 70 hours per pay period. Administrative Assistants and Receptionists are generally required to work on-site Monday through Friday from 9:00 am to 4:30 pm.

Holidays…