Immigrant Defenders Law Center (“ImmDef”) is a next-generation, social justice law firm that provides high-quality representation and legal services to immigrants in Southern California and beyond. ImmDef was founded with the belief that no immigrant should be forced to face an unjust immigration system alone and our universal representation programs are a first step towards that goal. ImmDef represents thousands of adults, children and families annually who have multi-faceted, complex and urgent legal needs as they face our unjust immigration system.

Learn more about us at www.immdef.org.

ImmDef is currently seeking a full-time administrative assistant to join our team of fearless advocates providing creative and zealous representation to our clients in Los Angeles, CA. Administrative Assistants will be joining the largest non-profit, universal representation model deportation defense team in the state of California. This position will support staff on the Children's Representation Project and Community Defense Projects.

Our staff work collaboratively within our team of managing and directing attorneys, staff attorneys, paralegals, administrative support staff and case managers to provide client-centered, holistic representation.

This is an excellent entry-level position where the successful applicant will get their foot-in-the-door at an organization that is engaged in cutting edge immigration litigation for individual clients with an overarching organizational goal of fighting for a more just immigration system. The position may be temp-to-hire, as we anticipate additional permanent openings in the near future. Temp-to-hire positions will have an initial term of 3 months that may be extended on a temporary basis in 3-month increments, up to a maximum of 18 months. At any time up until the end of the 18-month period, the position may become permanent, based on the employee's performance, the company's needs, and funding availability.

Essential Functions:

• Reception duties including but not limited to: Answering and routing telephone calls and visitors appropriately; Fielding telephone calls from ImmDef clients, partner organizations, and other members of the community; Maintaining and monitoring client waiting areas as needed; Greeting and direct visitors, making them feel welcomed and respected at all times;
• Notifying legal team staff when guests and clients have arrived;
• Maintaining office common areas and assessing ongoing needs;
• Sending, receiving, and processing all correspondence;
• Cataloguing and maintaining ImmDef’s case filing system;
• Creating and archiving client files;
• Maintenance of internal databases to support program needs;
• Perform other clerical duties such as filing, photocopying, scanning, faxing, maintaining spreadsheets, updating case data, etc.;
• Basic troubleshooting and resolving of IT, phones, copy equipment and internet problems;
• Providing back up administrative support to paralegals and attorneys as needed;
• Assisting with initiation of representation for new clients;
• Provide Spanish to English and English to Spanish interpretation, translation of documents and communication assistance for clients as needed;
• Other duties as assigned by the Administrative Coordinator and ImmDef leadership.

Desired Qualifications:

• High School Degree or GED is required, Bachelor’s degree is preferred;

• Passion and enthusiasm for providing high quality client services;

• Exceptional organizational skills and attention to detail;
• Ability to take initiative and problem-solving skills;
• Proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook and Power Point;
• Minimum typing speed of 40 words per minute;
• Experience working at a nonprofit or a public interest law firm is helpful;
• Demonstrated ability to work within a high-volume, busy law office is a plus;
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in both English and Spanish;

• Enthusiasm for working at a mission driven organization and passion for social justice for immigrants required;
• DACA Recipients strongly encouraged to apply!

Level of Language Proficiency

• Spanish fluency is required and will be tested at time of interview.

We require COVID-19 vaccinations or weekly testing to be considered.

It is recommended that you submit Cover Letter to be considered. You can learn more about our programs at www.immdef.org.

ImmDef believes in second chances. As an organization, we will rely on individualized assessments in the hiring of those with past criminal convictions. We encourage all qualified applicants to apply for a position fighting for our immigrant communities!

Immigrant Defenders Law Center is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Due to the large number of applicants, we are unable to respond to every applicant and will only contact those who are invited to interview for the position.

We are hiring permanent staff for this position, as well as additional temp-to-hire staff. Permanent staff in this position are members of the ImmDef employee union bargaining unit.

Schedule:

• ImmDef’s standard work schedule is 35 hours per week, or 70 hours per pay period.
• Administrative Assistants are generally required to work on-site Monday through Friday from 9:00 am to 4:30 pm, but may be approved for a flexible schedule after completing new-hire probation.
• Flexible scheduling options include compressed schedules that allow staff in this position to take up to one day off per pay period without needing to use paid time off.

Holidays and Paid Time Off :

• 13 paid holidays
• 1-Week paid winter break between Christmas and New Years
• 15 vacation days per year
• 15 Sick Days per year

Health, Dental and Vision Insurance:

• ImmDef provides health coverage on the first of the month following 30 days on the job.
• We cover 100% of premiums for our base dental and vision plans for our staff members and 75% of base plan dental and vision premiums for their dependents. ImmDef also covers 98% of the base plan medical premiums for our staff and 73% of the base plan medical premiums for their dependents.

FSA and Dependent Care FSA:

• ImmDef offers FSA plans to help offset the costs of eligible health care expenses for you, your spouse, and your eligible dependents using pre-tax dollars
• We also offer Dependent Care FSA to pay for eligible dependent care services, such as preschool, summer day camp, before or after school programs, and child or adult daycare.
• Eligible for Parental Leave which includes six (6) weeks of ImmDef paid leave.

401(k) Retirement Savings Plan & Employer Matching:

• ImmDef staff are eligible to enroll in our 401(k) plans immediately upon hire, contributing pre-tax dollars towards their retirement goals
• After six months on staff, ImmDef will match 100% of contributions up to 3% of the employee’s salary
• Funds are vested immediately!

Public Service Loan Forgiveness:

• As a 501(c)3, full-time ImmDef staff with qualifying student loans are eligible for the federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness

Parking and Public Transportation Stipends:

• Staff members assigned to an office without free on-site parking are eligible to receive a parking stipend of up to $100 per month in actual accrued parking or transportation costs.
• Staff in all offices are eligible to receive a public transportation stipend of up to $100 per month in actual accrued public transportation costs.