The Florence Project Agency description:
The Florence Project (Florence Immigrant & Refugee Rights Project, or FIRRP) was founded in 1989 to respond to a representation crisis for indigent non-citizens detained at the rural Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Detention Center in Florence, Arizona. Through our programs today, we provide services to thousands of adults and children detained in Eloy, Florence, Phoenix, and Tucson, Arizona, on any given day. In particular, the Adult Detention Program provides services in the Eloy and Florence detention centers. The Florence Project is nationally known for its legal and social services that ensure that detained immigrants are empowered and have access to justice. The Florence Project provides high-quality legal services and supports initiatives for national changes in immigration law and policy.
The Florence Project…
- Is the largest immigration legal services nonprofit in Arizona
- Has expansive geographic presence in each Immigration Court in the state and at Nogales Ports of Entry
- Has integrated social services program and policy advocates enhancing legal footprint on community and holistic representation
Quotes:
"It meant a lot to realize there are citizens of this country that support me… I’ve felt better since the first day we met." Belinda remembering her FIRRP advocate
PRIMARY PURPOSE OF THE JOB
The Legal Orientation and Administrative Assistant will primarily interact with team members from the Detention Action Response Team ("DART"), but they will occasionally interact with other team members within the Adult Program and the Front Desk Team. The most fulfilling aspect of this position is the direct client interaction with individuals who may be hearing a caring and listening voice for the first time since their detention. We take very seriously the fact that most adults in immigration detention are not represented by an attorney, and they may be navigating their legal cases alone. This position, and this work in general, can be challenging when the weight of our accompaniment can lead to secondary trauma or when our impact can seem insignificant after appreciating the volume of detained individuals. Our team collectively uplifts each other, and we celebrate our success stories because each success validates our work and encourages us to carry on.
DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES
Case work – The case-related work of the Legal Orientation & Administrative Assistant may include:
- Provide individual orientation, education and empowerment to individuals representing themselves in removal proceedings (pro se cases)
- Prepare and update pro se materials and provide these resources to clients when appropriate
- Assist attorneys in the management of pro se cases or direct representation cases as needed
- Conduct intakes and follow up interviews primarily over the phone
- When feasible, provide workshops to detained adults
- Help prepare individuals for their court hearings
- Review and assist detainees with applications for relief from removal and release requests
- Make referrals to other teams and external services where appropriate
- Schedule client visits, gather, prepare and file supporting documentation, including country conditions packets, and conduct research
- Draft legal documents and client letters
- Translate documents as needed
- Participate in coordination efforts, group meetings & trainings
Administrative duties – The administrative duties of the Legal Orientation & Administrative Assistant may include:
- Generate form response letters to client inquiries where appropriate
- Sort service requests and respond appropriately when needed
- Prepare paper filings and copies of court documents for legal staff and clients
- Create visit lists and other materials
- Work with legal staff to organize and maintain client files
- Print documents, tab documents, and make copies
- Compile filings to be submitted to court, request records, calendar events and deadlines
- Organize and process incoming and outgoing mail
- Handle calls, data entry and case notes, and include information in the relevant databases
Other Duties & Responsibilities – The Legal Orientation & Administrative Assistant must also:
- Participate in organizational fundraising, outreach work and special projects, as needed.
- Assist other teams within the organization in direct representation cases, strategic litigation, professional development efforts and advocacy initiatives, as requested. This may include assist with presentations, visiting groups, trainings, development of protocols, and typical direct representation tasks such as intakes, research, file management, legal writings, submission of evidence, preparation for hearings, and other duties as needed.
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS
- Must be at least 18 years old
- Demonstrate commitment to advocating for indigent immigrant clients
- Must be able to pass federal and state background checks
- Fluency or advanced proficiency in Spanish required
- Proven computer skills.
- Effective September 1, 2021, the Florence Project has implemented a mandatory COVID-19 vaccine policy. To comply with this policy, active employees and volunteers must be fully vaccinated, unless an exemption applies.
- This position is essentially remote, with the opportunity to work in the office and visit the detention centers when feasible and depending on the organization’s needs.