Details
Posted: 26-Apr-22
Location: USA - MA - Cambridge
Type: Part-time
Salary: Open
The Harvard Representation Initiative (HRI) of the Harvard Immigration and Refugee Clinical Program provides legal assistance and social work support to members of the Harvard community whose immigration status is at risk. The Legal Assistant will assist HRI attorneys with day-to-day operations, activities, policies and procedures, including conducting outreach and intake with a diverse clientele, preparing legal documents for filing with immigration court and administrative agencies, maintaining client records and responding to client questions, as well as organizing documents and managing case files. The goal of the position is to facilitate the effective and efficient functioning of the HRI team.
As a legal assistant you will:
Work with the HRI staff to organize the HRI's electronic files to ensure that work product and resources are saved in a coherent manner and can be effectively and efficiently accessed and reports can be effectively and efficiently run.
Assist with tracking legal and social work cases for HRI, including paper files and through online case management software; maintain case-filing calendar and tickler system. Assisting with case file opening and closing, and general form preparation.
Conduct outreach in the Harvard community and engage in screenings with community members and serve as liaison to campus administrators to facilitate HRI participation in outreach events; track and update team about campus events for HRI outreach.
Conduct intake and schedule client meetings with HRI attorneys; collect and enter client data into immigration case management system.
Prepare and file applications for immigration protection in immigration court and with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service; organize and maintain client records and respond to client questions.
Assist with the development and updating of Know-Your-Rights materials and answers to Frequently-Asked-Questions for community members to address potential changes to immigration law and policy.
Work closely with the HRI staff attorneys on assigned projects as well as with the HIRC social worker, intake coordinator/administrative assistant, and paralegal.
Assist with other projects, cases, and clients as the need arises.
This is a part time (25h per week), benefits eligible, position and a two-year term appointment with potential for renewal, subject to departmental funding and need.
We regret that Harvard Law School is unable to provide visa sponsorship for staff positions.
All offers to be made by HLS Human Resources.
Be a part of excellence and leadership in legal education and scholarship at Harvard Law School. We are a community of talented people from diverse backgrounds, lived experiences, and perspectives, dedicated to advancing the cause of justice all over the world. We value our differences and our diversity as a source of strength. We are committed to developing and inspiring our students and our workforce. Whoever you are, whatever you do, however you do it, Harvard Law School is a place where you can thrive. Salary Grade: 053
Union: 55 - Hvd Union Cler & Tech Workers
3 or more years of experience in office administration or related field (business environment and/or customer service). Education beyond high school may count toward experience.
We are looking for people who have:
Flexibility and ability to adapt to changing needs of clients; commitment to customer service and to being a team player
Strong organizational skills and attention to detail; capable of working in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment; competency in Word, Excel, and electronic case management systems
Effective interpersonal and communication skills (written and verbal) and commitment to creating an inclusive environment for all
Foreign language skills are a plus
Prior experience working in a legal setting and with clients preferred
Experience with case management databases is a plus
Experience assisting with intake and developing Know-Your-Rights presentations, as well as assisting with filings in immigration court and before the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service is a plus
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER: We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.
