ProBAR - Intake Legal Assistant TX

at  American Bar Association

The American Bar Association (ABA) was founded on a commitment to advance the rule of law in the United States and beyond by providing practical resources for legal professionals, conducting law school accreditation, developing model ethics codes and more. Today, the ABA remains a member-based organization that works to ensure access to justice for all, a fair legal process, and respect for the rule of law at home and across the globe.
The ABA is committed to service and refining the standards that guide the legal profession. ABA staff are provided multiple types of continuing education and career development opportunities. Your work will help eliminate bias, enhance diversity, and advance the rule of law throughout the US and around the world.
The ABA recognizes the value staff contribute to our success through a generous benefits package that protects their health and their financial security. The ABA’s wide array of benefit offerings include 401(k), medical, dental, vision, flexible spending accounts, health spending accounts, supplemental life and disability insurance, prepaid legal programs, and a complimentary membership to the American Bar Association, which offers additional benefits.
Flexible/hybrid work arrangements may be available for residents of CA, DC, IL, IN, IA, MD, MI, MN, TX, VA, and WI. Residency requirements may apply. ABA employees are eligible to apply for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF).
The Intake Legal Assistant provides administrative and legal support to the office, such as screening phone calls, providing legal information to custodians, and reporting trends.
The Organization
ProBAR empowers immigrants through high-quality legal information, representation, and connections to services. ProBAR serves immigrants in the Rio Grande Valley and Houston regions with a particular focus on the legal needs of adults and unaccompanied children in federal custody. Founded in 1989 as a project of the American Bar Association, ProBAR’s primary office is located in Harlingen, TX with a field office in Houston, TX. For more information about ProBAR, please visit our website: https://abaprobar.org/
Job Summary / General Purpose of Job
Accountable for responding and screening phone calls to provide general legal information to custodians of unaccompanied children, fielding calls by adult detained clients, reporting trends, and managing visitors. This position will require regular involvement with individuals living in difficult circumstances and who may have experienced trauma.

Essential Job Functions and Responsibilities (listed in order of importance and/or time spent)

• Answers phone calls and screens callers to give appropriate legal information, via telephone and in person, including but not limited to, the automated immigration court system, the court process, general forms, and other related information to released unaccompanied children and their sponsors both locally and nationwide.
• Addresses the specific needs of individual callers from all areas of ProBAR’s programmatic work, including calls from adults in immigration detention, adults and families in removal proceedings and seeking assistance in the Rio Grande Valley or Houst areas, detained or recently released immigrant children, and sponsors or family members of prospective clients.
• Completes an initial intake for callers or visitors seeking ProBAR’s legal services, gathering the necessary information to either immediately refer to a legal representative or to be placed on a list for additional assessment.
• Assesses the urgency of situations and determines appropriate actions and provides updates and feedback to appropriate departments.
• Refers, via telephone, individuals needing immigration services, including children released from detention and their sponsors to departments within the organization that may be able to assist them with additional services or support, as well as pro bono or low-cost legal representation services in their area.
• Explains the basic information in the legal packet of information provided by ProBAR to the unaccompanied child and their sponsor, including how to use the EOIR Change of Venue and Change of Address Form.
• Assists with referral of clients to pro bono counsel as directed. Conducts and assists with coordination and tracking of other legal services as necessary.
• Reports issues, challenges, and trends related to the provision of services; participates in monthly intradepartmental roundtable meetings.
• Ensures the confidentiality and control of client information.
• Provides other support for staff, including checking voicemails and forwarding messages.
• Performs other related duties as required.

Required Education, Qualifications, Experience

• Possession of a high school diploma or GED.
• One year experience with work involving providing services to clients, involving knowledge of the services provided, and ability to evaluate questions and needs and determine the appropriate actions to be taken.
• Fluent in English and Spanish in written and spoken forms.
• Intermediate proficiency with online research and Microsoft Office products (Word, Excel, OneDrive, SharePoint, Teams).
• Able to problem-solve issues while providing guidance to clients in stressful situations.
• Proven experience working in cross-functional team collaborations, demonstrating cultural awareness, and promoting a positive and respectful work atmosphere in a fast-paced and detailed-oriented environment.
• Must be familiar with conducting virtual meetings, training, and observations on software such as Zoom, Teams, etc.
• Must be able to pick up on client verbal and non-verbal cues.
• Must have reliable internet and phone connection.
• Must have reliable transportation to travel between office and off-site work locations.
• This position requires the ability to travel to and enter care provider facilities funded by the office of Refugee Resettlement, Administration for Children and Families, United States Department of Health and Human Services which provide housing and services to unaccompanied children. This position will require the provision of legal services to unaccompanied children in such care provider facilities. In accordance with the federal regulation, background check will be required for this position.

Preferred Education, Qualifications, Experience

• Possession of an associate’s or higher degree in business administration, legal studies, or another work-related field.
• Advanced spoken fluency in a third language, including but not limited to Haitian Creole, French, Central American Indigenous languages (such as Q’eqchi, Mam, Quiche, Kanjobal, Akateco, Chuj, Ixil), Portuguese or Mandarin.
• Prior work experience with children or families, particularly from Central America and including indigenous language speaking populations.
• Prior experience with entering information in a legal database.
• Prior volunteer, community, or work experience regarding immigration or detention.
• Prior non-profit experience, particularly involving immigration detention.

Physical Requirements
Typical office setting with visits to immigration detention facilities and immigration court from time to time. Continuously operates a computer and other office machinery, such as telephone, copy machine, and computer printer.
Travel
As a normal course of business, this job will typically require travel of less than 10% of the time.

The Benefits and Incentives Offered

• Medical and prescription insurance
• Dental insurance
• Vision insurance
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
• Voluntary life insurance
• Short- and long-term disability insurance
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Prepaid Legal Plan
• 401 (k)
• Paid company holidays
• Personal time off
• Vacation time off
• Self-Care time off
• PSLF participant
• Sign on bonus offered*
• Relocation Stipend offered for in state and out of state relocation*
• Restrictions apply. Availability is subject to grant funding and may periodically change.

The Location
ProBAR’s primary location is in the Rio Grande Valley, a thriving region that boasts a rich culture, affordable cost of living, subtropical climate, and beautiful natural areas to enjoy. Recent growth has brought the RGV unprecedented investments in higher education and scientific research. Three local airports connect RGV residents to destinations around the country while Mexico is only a short drive away. The region’s delicious food, world-class nature parks, and the beaches of South Padre Island provide ample opportunities to relax and recharge!
Our Houston field office is in the Uptown District, that showcases the vibrant urban lifestyle in the heart of Houston. The Uptown District is home to The Galleria, Texas’ largest shopping center. In addition to being a pedestrian friendly city, you can get around with ease on the MetroRapid Silver Line.
The Application Process
Submit an online application including your cover letter and resume.
The Salary
The starting hiring range for this position is $37,674.00 - $43,290.00 based on relevant experience and education.
The American Bar Association is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action Employer of all protected classes including veterans and individuals with disabilities. Women, minorities, veterans, and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply. In compliance with the ADA Amendments Act (ADAAA), if you have a disability and would like to request an accommodation in order to apply for a position with the American Bar Association, please call 956-365-3775 or contact applications@abaprobar.org

• Answers phone calls and screens callers to give appropriate legal information, via telephone and in person, including but not limited to, the automated immigration court system, the court process, general forms, and other related information to released unaccompanied children and their sponsors both locally and nationwide.
• Addresses the specific needs of individual callers from all areas of ProBAR’s programmatic work, including calls from adults in immigration detention, adults and families in removal proceedings and seeking assistance in the Rio Grande Valley or Houst areas, detained or recently released immigrant children, and sponsors or family members of prospective clients.
• Completes an initial intake for callers or visitors seeking ProBAR’s legal services, gathering the necessary information to either immediately refer to a legal representative or to be placed on a list for additional assessment.
• Assesses the urgency of situations and determines appropriate actions and provides updates and feedback to appropriate departments.
• Refers, via telephone, individuals needing immigration services, including children released from detention and their sponsors to departments within the organization that may be able to assist them with additional services or support, as well as pro bono or low-cost legal representation services in their area.
• Explains the basic information in the legal packet of information provided by ProBAR to the unaccompanied child and their sponsor, including how to use the EOIR Change of Venue and Change of Address Form.
• Assists with referral of clients to pro bono counsel as directed. Conducts and assists with coordination and tracking of other legal services as necessary.
• Reports issues, challenges, and trends related to the provision of services; participates in monthly intradepartmental roundtable meetings.
• Ensures the confidentiality and control of client information.
• Provides other support for staff, including checking voicemails and forwarding messages.
• Performs other related duties as required