Description:
The Central American Refugee Center (CARECEN) is a non-profit that has served the immigrant community on Long Island for four decades through legal services, community education and advocacy. We seek a passionate and dedicated immigration attorney to join our robust, dynamic and growing legal team.The position is a full time, salaried, exempt position.Overview of the Role
The Staff Attorney will provide critical legal services to immigrants in Nassau and Suffolk Counties through rapid response initiatives. Primary responsibilities include conducting legal screenings, offering advice and counsel, providing pro se assistance, and providing direct representation to priority populations, including newly arrived immigrants and asylum seekers. The attorney will join a Supervising attorney and five paralegals on the Rapid Response team, an integral part of CARECEN's legal department.
Primary Duties:
- Screen, counsel, and provide pro se assistance and direct representation to immigrants in affirmative and defensive cases in accordance with CARECEN's universal representation model
- Conduct a high volume of legal consultations and screenings on an ongoing basis to triage urgent community needs.
- Host legal clinics, community education sessions, and Know Your Rights (KYR) seminars
- Support and respond to immigration law questions from the designated ONA Opportunity Center and/or other immigrant service providers, as needed
- Work collaboratively with other members of CARECEN's legal team to strategize about best practices and service provision for immigrants on Long Island
- Maintain detailed case notes on individual cases and consultation outcomes
- Maintain detailed records and reporting data for grants
- Perform other duties as assigned
Qualifications:
- Admitted and in good standing to practice law in New York
- Prior experience in immigration law (relevant law school coursework and clinics may be considered as experience)
- Excellent organizational, communication, and computer skills, with strong data-tracking discipline.
- Ability to work well with a team and build relationships with community partners
- Fluency in Spanish and English required, fluency in other languages a plus
Work environment: Ability to work hybrid based on hybrid work agreement based out of CARECEN's Hempstead or Brentwood office
Supervisor: Supervising Attorney, Rapid Response Team
Benefits:
- Health Coverage (100% employer-paid premiums):
- Medical, Dental, and Vision
- Insurance & Protection (100% employer-paid premiums):
- NYS Disability and Paid Family Leave
- Short-Term Disability / Long-Term Disability
- Life Insurance
- Additional Support: Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
- Retirement: 401(k) plan with employer matching contributions
- Professional Development: Employer-paid professional development opportunities, selected by staff
- Paid Holidays: 28 paid holidays and/or half-days per year
- Paid Time Off (PTO): 21 days per year
- Health/Wellness Days: 5 days per year
- Longevity Bonus: Additional 7 PTO days after 5 years of employment
Immigrants, women, BIPOC, LGBTQ+ and persons from other traditionally marginalized groups are encouraged to apply.
