Paralegal - Detained Minors Project

at  The Door A Center of Alternatives Inc

Overview: The Door is an unparalleled model for youth development, offering a comprehensive range of integrated services within a single site for nearly 11,000 New York City youth each year. Our mission is to empower young adults to reach their full potential by providing comprehensive youth development services in a diverse and caring environment. At The Door, youth can access health care and education, mental health counseling and crisis assistance, legal assistance, college preparation services, career development, housing supports, arts, sports and recreational activities, and nutritious meals – all for free and under one roof. By providing participants with our suite of integrated services, we seek to provide any motivated young person with the tools, resources, and opportunities needed to successfully transition to adulthood.
The Door’s Legal Services Center provides civil legal services to young people in matters such as immigration, public benefits, housing, and family law. We are a team of over 40 attorneys, social workers, paralegals, and support staff. For more than twenty years, the Center has been at the forefront of representing undocumented children and youth. We represent undocumented youth in a range of immigration matters, including Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, Special Immigrant Juvenile Status, Asylum, and U and T Visas. We represent clients in affirmative applications and defend clients in removal proceedings.
The Paralegal will provide support for the Center’s immigration practice, in connection with the Center’s expansion to serve detained immigrant youth.

QUALIFICATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS:

• Bachelor’s degree and a minimum of 1 year of paralegal or advocacy experience
• Experience working with youth and/or immigrant populations preferred
• Knowledge of and ability to apply positive youth development principles to working with young people
• Experience with Salesforce preferred
• Strong written and oral communication skills
• Excellent organizational, time management and record keeping skills
• Strong database and computer skills
• Superior interpersonal skills
• Professional proficiency in Spanish required
• You are willing to be an advocate for your program, participants, and community
• You have a strong commitment to advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion
  Work Schedule: Full time, Monday - Friday, 35 hours a week, 10:00 am - 6:00 pm or 9:00 am- 5:00 pm

• Under attorney supervision, screen unaccompanied children (UCs) in Office of Refugee Resettlement custody and provide them with legal orientations and full screenings for immigration relief on-site at ORR shelters in Westchester County.
• Manage complex government and foundation grants
• Maintain databases and monitor grant compliance
• Report to funders on grant progress
• Assist attorneys with immigration applications, including completing forms, drafting affidavits, compiling country conditions research, and assisting with interview and hearing preparation.
• Provide interpretation services to attorneys and other service providers at The Door.
• Manage volunteers and undergraduate interns.
• Perform additional functions and responsibilities as assigned by supervisor