MILAP Paralegal- RAILS

Job Summary:  The Pro Bono Resource Center of Maryland, Inc. (PBRC) is seeking a highly motivated, organized, and bright individual who is fluent in Spanish or Haitian Creole to join the Maryland Immigrant Legal Assistance Project to help increase access to PBRC’s immigration legal services for individuals residing on Maryland’s Eastern Shore. MILAP gives free legal advice to people living in Maryland who must appear before the immigration court because they are at risk of deportation. In certain cases, MILAP steps-in to provide limited and concrete legal services to help vulnerable families and children meet the deadlines in their cases (e.g., help complete application for asylum or assist the family with changing their court location to one that is closest to where they live).

Primary Responsibilities:

• Facilitate volunteer legal services for immigrants in removal proceedings during clinics using a hybrid method of service delivery, being physically present on the Eastern Shore during the clinic to connect service-seekers with volunteer attorneys and mentors who will be connecting with the clinic remotely (e.g. scan documents, use zoom, etc).
• Conduct brief presentations.
• Support attorneys offering pro se legal assistance and/or full-scope representation to individuals who are in removal proceedings (e.g. collecting evidence, interpretation, completing certain forms under the supervision and review of the assigned attorney).
• Track and summarize data related to clients served and effectiveness of legal clinics. • Share referral information and resources with immigrants who contact PBRC seeking legal help.
• Increase community awareness about relevant resources, including brief legal advice clinics, case placement services and relevant city and state programs and social service resources.
• Work with MILAP Team to maintain and develop a network of community partners.
• Conduct client follow up and compile data regarding the impact of the MILAP. • Coordinate and execute interpreter volunteer sign-ups and assess fluency of volunteer interpreters.
• Provide support to Project Director for grant reporting duties as needed.

Qualifications:

• Fluency in either Spanish or Haitian Creole is required.
• Bachelor’s Degree (paralegal or law-related experience preferred).
• Experience in community organizing/activism and/or public outreach.
• Must be available some evenings and weekends when community legal clinics occur (with advanced notice), with a focus on activity taking place on the Eastern Shore.
• Access to reliable transportation for frequent travel to PBRC’s office and travel to other locations in Maryland for outreach events and community clinics 1-2 times per month.
• Strong attention to detail and excellent organizational and record-keeping skills.
• Excellent interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook, SharePoint)
• Proficiency in data collection and tracking preferred (prior Salesforce experience preferred)
• Ability to work well with people, including other staff, volunteers, clients, public interest organizations, governmental entities, Board members, and donors.
• Experience working with children and/or the immigrant community is preferred.
• Strong commitment to helping the community and ensuring equal access to justice.

Amenities:

• Competitive salary ranging from $53,000 - $58,000 depending on experience.
• Full-time position with excellent benefits package including paid health insurance, disability insurance, and employer-matched 401k plan; paid sick and vacation leave; and paid holidays.
• Hybrid in person/remote work.

TO APPLY: • Interested candidates should apply, via CareerPlug, 1) a cover letter describing interest and qualifications for the position, 2) a resume, 3) the names and contact information for three professional references • Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis; applicants are encouraged to apply by August 28. 

PBRC’s mission is to champion equitable access to justice for Maryland's marginalized communities by providing legal help, pioneering collaboration with partners, and advocating for economic and social justice.

PBRC is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity. We encourage all interested persons to apply including applicants of color, people with disabilities, and others historically underrepresented. 

Flexible work from home options available.