ABOUT LAS AMERICAS IMMIGRANT ADVOCACY CENTER

Las Americas is a nationally recognized organization dedicated to serving immigrants and asylum seekers with high quality legal services, advocacy and support. Las Americas is binational with a geographic footprint of El Paso, TX, southern New Mexico, and Ciudad Juárez, Mexico.

Founded in 1987 by the visionary co-founders of Annunciation House, Las Americas was designed to address the unmet legal needs of Central Americans fleeing civil war and political unrest in the 1980’s. Since its founding, Las Americas has served nearly 50,000 persons, while advocating for a robust asylum system, working to reunify separated families, and advocating for systemic change to US immigration policy and practices.

Today, Las Americas is a leading edge organization rooted in social justice and human rights. We are legal service providers, social workers, communicators, and policy wonks focused on centering the needs of marginalized communities at the intersection of poverty and immigration.

POSITION OVERVIEW: This position serves as the bridge between attorneys, Department of Justice Accredited Representatives, Las Americas Immigrant Advocacy, and program clients. This position reports directly to the assigned program area supervisor. This position will serve the needs of people in southern New Mexico.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

We are seeking a dedicated and compassionate pro bono coordinator to be the primary liaison between pro bono volunteers and Las Americas Immigrant Advocacy Center in El Paso, Las Cruces, and/or Ciudad Juárez. The ideal candidate will possess strong organizational skills, the ability to collaborate with people of diverse backgrounds, and a passion for accompanying individuals in need. The pro bono coordinator plays a pivotal role and ensures the smooth functioning of the relationships between Las Americas Immigrant Advocacy Center, volunteers, government agencies, local shelters, social service providers, and partner organizations to meet the unique needs of immigrants in our region.

Responsibilities

• Assist legal program leadership in all aspects of legal work, including, but not limited to, assisting with client communication, assisting in drafting submissions for USCIS and the immigration courts
• Manage and assist legal program leadership with calendaring and scheduling key case dates, meetings, and correspondence
• Coordinate case management, client advocacy, and referral services for program clients
• Proactively maintain close communication with clients and government agencies
• Assist in the assembly of submissions and filings for USCIS, and immigration courts, including drafting of cover letters and relevant motions
• Maintain detailed case notes on case management software in a timely manner per legal program policy
• Assist clients with the procurement of necessary documents
• Accurately complete relevant immigration forms
• Assist in the proper opening and closing of cases in a timely manner per legal program policy
• Track time on cases using designated software per legal program policy
• Support external-facing events including community information sessions, tabling, citizenship/naturalization fairs, and legal clinics
• Work in close collaboration with fellow legal assistants, interns, fellows, and pro bono volunteers within the assigned legal program area and across service areas to help ensure holistic client accompaniment 
• Occasional translation of legal documents (English/Spanish) and interpretation for clients (English/Spanish)
• Actively support Las Americas’ storytelling, narrative, and fundraising campaigns
• Flag changes to legal forms and processes by government agencies to policy advocacy team
• Support the fund development team with data sharing and grant reporting 
• Other duties as assigned

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in political science, criminal justice, pre-law, policy, or a related field and/or equivalent experience
• Proven experience in migrant/social services, or a related field
• Strong understanding of issues related to homelessness, poverty, mental health, and substance abuse
• Experience working with people from diverse backgrounds, including low- income populations, people who are marginally housed, immigrants, LGBTQ individuals, people of color and/or persons with disabilities

• Experience working with marginalized populations and survivors of trauma
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and conflict resolution skills
• Ability to work under pressure, and make sound decisions in challenging situations
• Proficiency in record-keeping, data management, and basic computer applications
• Flexibility in working hours, including evenings, weekends, and being on-call for emergencies
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, Adobe, and Google applications
• Valid driver's license and ability to travel as needed

IDEAL CANDIDATES WILL HAVE…

• Exemplary customer service skills
• Previous work experience in southern New Mexico
• Empathy for people caught up in the US immigration system
• Excellent project management and organization skills
• Experience in immigration law and policy especially with USCIS and EAD preparation
• Direct services experience
• Spirit of collegiality, creativity and initiative
• Love and respect for the borderland region
• Bilingual fluency in English and Spanish (written and spoken