Job Description

Job Location San Felipe - Houston, TX 77056 Position Type Full Time Education Level 4 Year Degree Travel Percentage Up to 25% Job Shift Day Job Category Legal Admin

Catholic Charities is looking for the right people; people who wish to serve their community as a part of a family friendly organization doing good within the Houston-Galveston area. We attract and retain the best talent by investing in our employees. People of all faiths helping people in need.

The Paralegal, Unaccompanied Minor Program, is responsible for providing “Know Your Rights” presentations and legal screenings to detained unaccompanied minors in the shelters covered by Cabrini Center under the Vera contract or similar contracts. The Paralegal is also responsible for organizing and keeping track of the shelter head-counts, reunification status and transfer of the unaccompanied minors in his/her assigned shelters, and updating the Vera databases such as CASPIO and Cabrini client database. The Paralegal assists the attorneys with the detained dockets by organizing client case files, assembling relevant documents for the court appearances of attorneys or Accredited Representatives. The Paralegal assists attorneys in providing direct representation to immigrant clients by: conducting client intakes and follow-up meetings; drafting correspondence, petitions, affidavits and other legal documents; conducting research in support of client cases; translating documents to be submitted to immigration courts and agencies, state courts, and other parties; and providing interpretation at USCIS, the asylum office, and/or other appointments, as needed. The Paralegal will assist in maintaining and updating client case files and case management databases.

What you Deliver

• Shelter Tasks
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  • Prepare and conduct “Know Your Rights” presentation with Vera-approved script to newly arrived unaccompanied minors in ORR shelters.
  • Conduct legal screenings on newly arrived unaccompanied minors, identify potential legal relief in consultation with attorneys or Accredited Representative, maintain updated information on Vera database and Cabrini client database.
• Detained Docket
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  • Compile client files for detained dockets, contact court administrative staff to update the list of minors on upcoming dockets, prepare docket list for attorneys or Accredited Representative appearing on detained dockets and other tasks to adequately prepare for Cabrini Center’s appearance on detained dockets..
• Case Assistance
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  • Assist attorneys and Accredited Representatives in conducting follow-up client interviews to collect information to help discern eligibility for immigration relief, prepare and update client case files and client databases, collect, compile, and organize supporting documents for client cases, translate documents between Spanish and English, and draft, prepare and file correspondence and pleadings under the direction of attorneys or Accredited Representatives
  • Assist in preparing clients for court hearing and USCIS interviews, perform interpretations at USCIS, asylum office, and other interviews
• Case Management
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  • Maintain case information on case management systems (such as LLX, attorney spreadsheets), update attorney calendars on cases, maintain, organize, and update case flies of clients
  • Perform case management tasks on clients' cases and records, including file progress notes, correspondence, calendars, and dockets
  • Maintain case management database, generate statistical report, correct data entry to provide an accurate database on client information, case processes and caseload information
• Meetings
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  • Attendance and participation is mandatory in team meetings, Cabrini staff meetings, and other agency meetings
  • Participate in calls and meetings organized by funders, city-wide advocacy groups, and local service providers when appropriate and helpful
• Contract and Agency Compliance
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  • Comply with all contract requirements
  • Provide data and statistical information for grant, contract, and other reporting purposes
  • Provide accurate and timely monthly data, time logs, and reports for internal use, funder, and other entity use
  • Participate In trainings, webinars, meetings, calls, etc., as required by funders
• Outreaches
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  • Participate in community outreach and legal education activities, including Charla and other community events, prepare community legal education materials on immigration issues
• Other
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  • Perform other duties as assigned by the legal Director and Managing Attorneys such as assisting with in-house meetings and trainings, coordinate with community partners, engage in coalition activities, participate in staff and agency retreats, assist with special events

Qualifications

The Expertise We're Looking For

• Associate Degree
• Paralegal Certificate or One (1) year of experience as Paralegal
• Bilingual in Spanish in English.

The Skills and Assets You Bring, and More

• Excellent legal research and writing skills
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Strong organizational skills, ability to maintain significant caseload, set priority, multitask and work under pressure and competing demands
• Knowledge and proficiency in basic typing skills and computer applications such as MS Office
• Demonstrates multi-cultural skills and sensitivity
• Experience in preparing legal reports
• Ability to maintain confidential information

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Catholic Charities is an equal opportunity employer. We actively foster an environment that is free of racism, discrimination, bias, and harassment where all individuals are treated with dignity, safety, and respect. Successful applicant must comply with federal contractor vaccine mandate requirements.

The work you do will help us advocate for the vulnerable among us, a network of support services to people of all ages and from all walks of life and religious backgrounds.