U Visa / VAWA Legal Assistant – Central American Resource Center, CARECEN – Los Angeles, CA

CARECEN seeks a Spanish-speaking Legal Assistant to assist clients who may qualify for VAWA or U Visa petitions. The Legal Assistant may assist in outreach and community education activities.

ORGANIZATIONAL BACKGROUND

CARECEN was founded in 1983 by Salvadoran refugees and other human rights activists who worked to secure legal status for the thousands of Central Americans fleeing civil war. Today, CARECEN’s mission is to promote the human and civil rights of Central Americans and other immigrant communities through legal and educational services, and by advocating and organizing to transform immigration and education policies. CARECEN’s Legal Department serves a large number of immigrant survivors of crime with free and low-cost immigration legal services within the Pico-Union/Westlake community.

Summary of Duties:

Assist in conducting intake appointments for survivors of domestic violence and other violent crimes.
Assist potential clients in advocacy with law enforcement agencies to obtain a U visa law enforcement certification.
Under the supervision of staff attorneys and BIA Accredited Representatives, assist clients to prepare U Visa, VAWA, and Adjustment of Status applications; draft client declarations, and provide follow up on cases.
Assist in coordinating U visa and VAWA referrals from local domestic violence shelters and referrals from other agencies.
Assist in coordinating U visa and VAWA referrals from CARECEN’s domestic violence Promotoras program.

Qualifications:

Verbal and written fluency in Spanish and English languages required.
Excellent communication, interviewing, writing skills required.
Self-confidence, ability to interact with law enforcement agencies and advocate on behalf of client’s interests required.
Sensitivity and desire to work with low-income, immigrant victims of crime including domestic violence required.
Attention to detail and effective time management skills strongly preferred.
Ability to work effectively with diverse groups of clients and volunteers.
Demonstrated commitment to mission and goals of CARECEN
Knowledge and Experience in VAWA and U visa preferred.

Salary and Benefits:

$15 hourly and a comprehensive benefits package.

How to apply

To Apply: Please email resume, cover letter, writing sample and 3 references to Gloria Espitia at gespitia@carecen-la.org. Applicant must be the sole author of the writing sample without substantial edits by third parties.

Only those applicants selected for interviews will be contacted. No inquiries please, including inquiries from legal employment agencies. Applicants must apply directly. Applications submitted through agencies will not be considered.

The Central American Resource Center (CARECEN) is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity. It is the policy of CARECEN to comply with all applicable federal, state and local laws prohibiting employment discrimination. CARECEN is committed to providing a work environment free from discrimination and harassment. CARECEN does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, political ideology, age, creed, religion, ancestry, national origin, or the presence of any sensory, mental or physical handicap. We encourage applications from people of color, immigrants, women, people with disabilities, member of the LGBT community and other minority groups.

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