Paralegal - Affirmative Team

The Door is an unparalleled model for youth development, offering a comprehensive range of integrated services within a single site for nearly eleven thousand New York City youth each year. Our mission is to empower young adults to reach their full potential by providing comprehensive youth development services in a diverse and caring environment. At The Door, youth can access health care and education, mental health counseling and crisis assistance, legal assistance, college preparation services, career development, housing supports, arts, sports and recreational activities, and nutritious meals – all for free and under one roof. By providing participants with our suite of integrated services, we seek to provide any motivated young person with the tools, resources, and opportunities needed to successfully transition to adulthood.

The Door’s Legal Services Center provides civil legal services to young people in matters such as immigration, public benefits, housing and family law. We are a team of 22 attorneys, 6 social workers, 12 paralegals and 2 administrative assistants. For more than twenty years, the Center has been at the forefront of representing undocumented children and youth. We represent undocumented youth in a range of immigration matters, including Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, Special Immigrant Juvenile Status, Asylum, and U and T Visas. We represent clients in affirmative applications, defend clients in removal proceedings and work with unaccompanied minors detained in federal custody.

The Paralegal will assist attorneys in liaising with clients and preparing applications for immigration benefits. The Paralegal will also work closely with the Managing Attorney and Director of Legal Services on grant management and compliance.

Responsibilities

• Screen clients for eligibility for immigration relief
• Assist attorneys with immigration applications and cases
• Provide interpretation services to attorneys and other service providers at The Door
• Manage complex government and foundation grants
• Maintain databases and monitor grant compliance
• Report to funders on grant progress
• Prepare for and manage audits
• Manage volunteers and undergraduate interns
• Perform additional functions and responsibilities as assigned by supervisor

Qualifications and Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree and a minimum of 1 year of paralegal or advocacy experience
• Experience working with youth and/or immigrant populations preferred
• Knowledge of and ability to apply positive youth development principles to working with young people
• Strong written and oral communication skills
• Excellent organizational, time management and record keeping skills
• Full professional proficiency in French required

Salary: $46,000 to $50,000 annually

Work Schedule: Full time, Monday – Friday, 35 hours per week 9:00 am - 5:00 pm and 10:00 am - 6:00 pm