About Public Law Center
Founded in 1981, The Public Law Center is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit providing free legal services to low income residents and other nonprofits in Orange County. Last year, Public Law Center staff and volunteers provided over 65,000 hours of free legal services in handling over 4,500 cases benefiting low-income children, adults and seniors. The estimated value of this work is roughly $60 million in just the past three years. Our services include counseling, individual representation, community education and strategic policy advocacy and impact litigation to challenge societal injustices.
About the role
The Public Law Center (PLC)’s Immigration Unit is seeking an energetic, passionate advocate to join our team in fighting for justice for Orange County’s immigrant communities through innovative, collaborative, community-centered lawyering.
PLC’s Immigration Unit provides fearless direct legal representation to, in addition to coordinating and supervising pro bono representation for, survivors of domestic violence, human trafficking, sexual assault, persecution and other crimes (U Visas, T Visas, VAWA, asylum, and adjustment of status); children who have been abused, abandoned, or neglected (Special Immigrant Juvenile Status); young people who arrived as children (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals); lawful permanent residents seeking U.S. Citizenship (naturalization); and for immigrants in Immigration Court proceedings (both detained and non-detained removal defense).
This position is a great opportunity to gain or expand on existing experience in the legal field. The Administrative Assistant will learn how to conduct legal interviews with clients, spot legal issues, process legal mail and filings, and collaborate with attorneys and legal staff during client appointments, legal clinics, community events, and in special projects.
What you'll do
- Full-time position, potential for hybrid schedule with 2-3 days in the office depending on business needs
- Provide administrative support to the Immigration Unit, such as filing, scanning, and processing incoming/outgoing mail (including legal filings)
- Conduct client appointments for document drop off/pick up and/or signature collection
- Conduct client calls for legal clinics, including drafting/sending correspondence, appointment scheduling, and completing case investigation and document collection
- Conduct client interviews, including legal issue-spotting, conflict checks, and eligibility determinations over the phone and in-person
- Assist with interpretation and translation for staff and volunteer attorneys as needed
- Participate in and support with immigration legal clinics, workshops, and community education events (occasional evening or weekend work may be required)
- Other duties as assigned
- Opportunities to participate in organizational committees, including Wellness Committee, DEI Committee, Technical Committee, Staff Appreciation Committee, or other special projects
- This position requires attendance at meetings, both remote and in person, in and outside the Public Law Center’s offices, and requires being located in Southern California. Must have ability to work at the organization’s offices in Santa Ana, CA, and travel to work sites located throughout Orange County, CA. In addition, travel to Los Angeles County and other neighboring counties may be required
Qualifications
- High school diploma or equivalent required
- Bilingual English/Spanish required
- 1-3 years of work experience as an administrative or legal assistant in a non-profit organization or law office preferred
- Prior experience working in customer service and/or with low-income communities, including the ability to relate and build rapport preferred
- Strong oral and written communication skills
- Ability to manage multiple tasks, work independently, and as part of a team
- Computer literacy in MS Word, Excel and Outlook, willingness to learn other software programs
- Must have own transportation, valid CA Driver’s license, insurance and good driving record
Salary & Benefits
- Compensation dependent on experience; range of $23.00/hour to $25.00/hour
- Competitive benefits provided, and for this position include:
- Health, Dental, Vision, Disability, and Life Insurance (100% of employee premium costs paid by PLC, and 50% of dependent health insurance premium costs paid by PLC)
- Flexible Spending Account Program to help pay for medical expenses and childcare costs
- 15 paid holidays per year
- Approximately 1 paid week off during office winter closure (between Christmas Day and New Year’s Day)
- 21 paid sick days per year
- 15 paid vacation days per year
- 2 paid wellness days per month to promote mental wellness and general wellbeing
- Birthday paid time off (2 hours of paid time off during birthday month)
- 403b retirement plan (after 6 months of employment PLC provides a matching contribution equaling 100% of salary deferral up to a maximum of 3-4%, depending on length of employment)
- Monthly $55 stipend for Wi-Fi and cell phone use
- Monthly Bilingual Pay Premium upon successful completion of an oral and/or written test ($50 for oral premium and $50 for written premium)
- Optional monthly peer support group facilitated by third party mental health clinic
- Opportunities for growth and advancement
Public Law Center is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, ancestry, citizenship, color, family or medical care leave, gender identity or expression, genetic information, immigration status, marital status, medical condition, national origin, physical or mental disability, political affiliation, protected veteran or military status, race, ethnicity, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by applicable local laws, regulations and ordinances. If you need assistance and/or a reasonable accommodation due to a disability during the application process, please contact Public Law Center.
PLC will consider qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with all legal requirements.
PLC regrets that it is unable to sponsor employment Visas or consider individuals on time-limited Visa status for this position.