Address
Form of workPosition Title: Intake Specialist
Organization: Jewish Family Service of San Diego
Department: Immigration Services - Afghan Legal Services Program
Position Type: Full-Time (37.5+ hours/week), Non-Exempt
Work Setting: Onsite
Reports To: Director of Immigration Services
Pay Rate: $18 -$20/hour
Total Compensation:
In addition to standard pay, compensation for this position includes:
- Comprehensive, low-cost healthcare coverage for employees
- Generous employer 401(k) contributions
- Employer-covered life insurance
Time Away from Work:
Being able to take time away from work is critical in bringing your best self to work. Time off benefits for this position include:
- Paid vacation time and sick leave
- 15 paid holidays, including Federal and Jewish holidays (as long as the holiday lands on a normal scheduled work day), and floating holidays
- 2 Wellness Days to be taken any time during the year to support employees’ mental wellness
Position Overview:
JFS is looking for a compassionate, mission-driven individual to join the Afghan Legal Services Program (ALSP) with the Immigration Legal Services team as the Intake Specialist.
Jewish Family Service of San Diego (JFS) is one of four refugee resettlement agencies in San Diego County, a Department of Justice Recognized organization, and a core partner of the San Diego Rapid Response Network (SDRRN) - a group of 40+ immigrant rights and social service organizations, attorneys and community leaders who educate, protect and assist immigrant individuals and families –including refugees and asylum seekers – with legal support and social services.
JFS has a large Immigration Legal Services Department (ILSD) where it not only coordinates the legal services for SDRRN, but also has a large team of lawyers, DOJ accredited representatives, and support staff working on a wide range of services for low-income and vulnerable immigrants in San Diego and Imperial counties. This position will work within the ILSD team at JFS. The ILSD team specializes in removal defense, family-based petitions and applications, administrative relief, naturalization, and humanitarian relief. The ILSD team has experience and regularly practices immigration law before Department of Homeland Security (DHS), such as with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Border Patrol (BP) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP), as well as before the Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR) at the San Diego, Otay Mesa and Imperial Immigration Courts and Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA), and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. The ILSD team also represents clients in relevant immigration matters before San Diego Superior Court on simple post-conviction relief and probate guardianship matters. The ILSD is also the legal service provider which coordinates the Higher Education Legal Services (HELS) program at 2 CA State Universities – San Diego State and CSU San Marcos, in addition to 9 community colleges in San Diego and Imperial counties.
The Intake Specialist for ALSP will be primarily responsible to conduct phone screenings for applicants for ALSP services; schedule appointments and enroll participants for presentations; prepare mailings by printing, scanning, and preparing postage; manage client files and client communication; input program data into databases; perform translations and interpretation; and work closely with all other members of the ASLP team to provide support additional support on their daily tasks.
Responsibilities:
- Field calls coming through the JFS Immigration Help Line
- Conduct immigration phone screenings for individuals and families referred to the ALSP program for eligibility of services
- Manage and coordinate active cases in need of legal representation
- Assist the ALSP team in preparation, copying, scanning, and mailing of immigration filings, applications, and other legal documents
- Organize and manage client case files
- Participate in community workshops, information sessions, and other outreach activities
- Coordinate and document potential client and client communications
- Stay up to date on rapidly changing immigration laws and policies
- Provide interpretation from Dari, Pashto, or Farsi, as necessary
- Comply with data and program reporting requirements
Skills/Abilities That Are a Must-Have:
- Bilingual English/Dari/Pashto or Farsi
- Excellent ability to prioritize, multi-task and organize in a fast paced and fluid environment
- Meticulous attention to detail and self-directed
- Strong oral and written communication skills in English
- Outstanding relational skills and a demonstrated cross-cultural understanding and success
- Excellent interpersonal skills, listening skills and attitude
- Demonstrated ability to take initiative and work under pressure required
- Ability to work both independently and in a group setting
- Demonstrated ability to collaborate productively and efficiently
- Proficient in Microsoft software including Excel, Word, and Outlook
- Ability to work flexible hours, including some evenings and weekends
- Passion for social justice for immigrants required
- Experience working with immigrant populations
- Experience working with marginalized populations and survivors of trauma
- Dedication to serving immigrant communities with a sincere commitment to working on behalf of low-income immigrants
- Ability to adhere to rules of professional responsibility and ethical obligations of legal
- Experience in interorganizational collaboration and communication
Additional Requirements of the Job:
- Available to work occasional evenings and weekends, as necessary
- Must frequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds
- Must be able to use computer software, such as Microsoft programs, Adobe programs, and other software used by the Department to conduct regular business
- Must not have a pending asylum application at the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Asylum Office or Immigration Court
- Reliable transportation; valid CA Driver License preferred; ability to travel throughout San Diego County
Important Notice:
Incomplete submissions will not be considered. Please, no phone calls. Please, principals only. Please, local candidates only (relocation is not provided).
About Jewish Family Service of San Diego
Jewish Family Service of San Diego is a client-centered, impact-driven organization working to build a stronger, more resilient community. For over 100 years, Jewish Family Service has been a trusted resource for the entire community, offering an array of services that are always life-changing, and often life-saving. At Jewish Family Service, we believe our employees are the backbone of our Agency. We strive to ensure that each employee is treated with dignity and respect. Our goal is your success. Come work at JFS and be our partner in Moving Forward Together. To learn more about JFS, please visit jfssd.org.
*Jewish Family Service is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran or disability status.
