Children's Program Paralegal

The Rocky Mountain Immigrant Advocacy Network (RMIAN) is a nonprofit organization that provides free immigration legal services to individuals in immigration detention and to children and their families throughout Colorado. RMIAN’s Children’s Program provides free legal representation to immigrant children and families who have been victims of abuse, neglect, abandonment, trafficking and violence through in-house representation and referrals to volunteer counsel through a robust pro bono referral program.

RMIAN has an immediate opening for a full-time Paralegal in the RMIAN Children’s Program to provide support to attorneys on direct representation cases and pro bono coordination. The Paralegal will support and collaborate with other members of the Children’s Program under the direction of a Children’s Program Senior Staff Attorney.   

This position is meant for an advocate who is exceptionally organized and detail-oriented, who is compassionate and patient, and who enjoys working directly with immigrant families. This is an ideal position for someone who wants to work closely with immigrant children and families, and to provide essential support to attorneys providing free legal representation.

The ideal candidate:

• Has experience and familiarity with working with immigrant families – this person is called to this field and is passionate about RMIAN’s work and mission.
• Is skilled at time-management, exceptionally organized, detail-oriented, careful and methodical about ensuring accuracy, timeliness and high-quality work.
• Is able to work autonomously and independently – this person doesn’t require micromanaging and can be trusted to meet deadlines and compete tasks in a timely manner.
• Is collegial and collaborative with others on a team and ready to pitch in to support colleagues when needed.
• Is skilled at communicating with immigrant children and families and building trust and rapport. The ideal candidate acts with empathy, patience and poise, is confident speaking to individuals from diverse backgrounds and is willing to take the time to develop trust and ensure understanding with individuals. Demonstrated cultural competency is essential for serving RMIAN’s diverse client population.
• Is willing to provide administrative support and assistance to ensure high-quality legal representation to RMIAN’s clients. 

Responsibilities:

Direct Client Services (90%)

• Support RMIAN Children’s Program attorneys providing direct representation to children and families: under attorney supervision, draft applications for relief, motions, declarations, evidence, legal correspondence and other documents and coordinate the filing and proper service of all documents.
• Maintain client files on RMIAN’s server, case management system and in paper files.
• Track deadlines and ensure case filings are prepared in a timely and efficient manner.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for clients to answer questions, relay information, and schedule appointments with attorneys.
• Support RMIAN’s Children’s Program Pro Bono Coordinating Attorney to match and refer as many cases as possible for free legal representation. Assist with screening cases, communicating with individuals, gathering records, drafting, compiling, and sending referral materials, and tracking all referrals on RMIAN’s server, case management system and grant reporting systems.
• Administer mailings and process incoming mail. 
• Respond to phone calls from children and families seeking RMIAN’s services, as well as from current clients and referred clients.
• Provide administrative support services as needed.

Outreach, Community Education, and Development Efforts (10%)

• Assist with RMIAN’s outreach, community education, communication, and development efforts and help with other tasks as needed.

Required skills and experience:

• English & Spanish fluency required – both oral and written.
• Experience working in immigration law, or other legal experience preferred.
• Proof of vaccination against COVID-19, or proof of eligibility for exception required.

Location:

• This position is based out of RMIAN’s office located in Westminster, Colorado. RMIAN’s operations are currently operating on a hybrid remote/in-person model requiring at least two days a week of work in RMIAN’s office or other work-related locations.