Immigration Representative, PC Ukraine

YMCA International Services is a unique branch of the Y of Greater Houston and seeks to meet the needs of Houston’s significant refugee and immigrant communities. We provide comprehensive programs that focus on building human assets and fostering self-sufficiency. The YMCA International Services seeks one full time Immigration Representatives to support Immigration Legal Service department programs. Applicants must be fluent in English, Ukrainian and/or Russian.

The Legal Assistant’s job is to provide programmatic and administrative support to attorneys, which may include:

• Conducting client intakes with attorney supervision, assessing participant program eligibility
• For attorney review, drafting USCIS applications for employment authorization, permanent residency, Temporary Protected Status, asylum, etc.
• Assisting attorneys in conducting informational and application workshops
• Conducting follow-up calls and other communications with clients
• Preparing applications for submission to USCIS, including making physical and digital copies of documents, mailing, updating client database with case notes
• Collaborating with legal service providers to refer cases for pro bono representation
• Translating documents from Ukrainian and/or Russian to English
• Regularly updating funder database with client information, compiling statistics and other funder required data for reporting
• Maintaining case files, entering case notes into multiple databases, corresponding with clients via telephone and email
• May include travel to USCIS field offices, travel to Immigration Court, and/or DHS detention centers. DHS detention center locations: Core Civic (CCA) Detention Center (Houston, TX), the Montgomery Processing Center (Conroe, TX), Joe Corley Detention Center (Conroe, TX) and/or the IAH Secure Adult Detention Facility (Livingston, TX). The detention centers are approximately 1-3 hours away from the YMCA’s principal office
• Meet timelines and deadlines related to supporting systems and employee compliance. Examples include but are not limited to Kronos Workforce Ready for review and approval of timesheets, PTO requests, etc.
• Other duties as assigned, including, but not limited to Food Pantry distribution
• Report suspicious and inappropriate behaviors and policy violations
• Follow mandated abuse and incident reporting requirements.

Outcomes

• Efficient and effective coordination will result in all eligible clients receiving legal services, comprehensive intake and resource referrals, pro se assistance, and/or pro se support.
• Programmatic and administrative support to attorneys representing clients
• Timely filing of monthly and quarterly funder data reports.

Requirements

• Candidate must have a Bachelor’s Degree, relevant experience or be a certified paralegal.
• Candidate must be fluent in written and oral English, Ukrainian and/or Russian;additional languages skills are helpful.
• Must be able to work in a fast-paced environment, have good organizational skills and be flexible.
• Must be willing to apply for DOJ Partial Accreditation within one year of hire.
• Candidate must have basic computer knowledge in Microsoft Office, as well as familiarity with internet research.
• Knowledge of immigration law is highly desirable; training is provided.
• Position requires a clean driving record, reliable transportation, and applicable auto insurance. Candidate must be willing to commute to detention facilities (1-3 hours away).
• Federal government clearance may be required for this position.

The YMCA of Greater Houston has outstanding benefits including medical, dental, and vision insurance, long-term disability, life insurance, paid time off, and retirement paid by our Association upon meeting eligibility requirements.

The YMCA of Greater Houston provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.