Paralegal

 

SALARY
Full time, non-exempt position

BENEFITS
Health (partial payment), dental, and vision
Generous Vacation and Holiday Allowances

LOCATION
Pasadena Site (West San Gabriel Valley)

SUMMARY

Peace Over Violence is seeking a paralegal that has a demonstrated interest in working with survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault. The ideal candidate will work well in a team environment with other attorney, paralegal and advocate staff, who employ a holistic approach to legal services that values client empowerment, trauma-informed care, and a coordinated response to client needs.

Paralegal will work under the direction of the Managing Attorney, assisting clients in immigration relief and benefits, duties include direct client contact, preparing and filing non-immigrant visa petitions and green card applications and would work on other related legal matters. This position requires consistent communication with clients and the monitoring of caseloads and expiration dates from inception to completion.

The ideal candidate must have a sincere interest in public interest law. The paralegal must have some case management experience and provide advocacy with law enforcement and other community partners.

DUTIES

Coordination and Advocacy:

  • Conduct initial screening, legal intakes, and assessment of clients’ legal needs

  • Maintain individual caseload under the supervision of an attorney

  • Handle high call volume of both existing clients and past clients

  • Under the supervision of the Managing Attorney

    • Prepare legal clinics for survivors on selected topics of immigration and family law

    • Assist clients in understanding the legal system and preparation for court

    • Prepare paperwork and other legal documents

  • Assist clients, volunteer attorneys, and other legal services staff in drafting and filing court forms

  • Provide advocacy and follow up with law enforcement, housing, Cal works, schools, etc.

  • Help clients with safety planning, resources and referrals when appropriate

  • Prepare clients for hearings, CIS appointments, or consular appointments

  • Comply with all confidentiality requirements

Administrative: 

  • Adhere to necessary grant requirements for statistical tracking

  • Prepare and maintain monthly progress reports of program activities

  • Assist with preparing grant reports and tracking grant objectives

Community Outreach:

  • Assist in developing a plan for outreach and education to the underserved populations of Peace Over Violence’s service area in coordination with other agency staff

  • Provide speaking engagements, trainings, and information tables as requested on sexual assault, domestic violence and/or POV services

  • Attend multidisciplinary meetings with community service providers, law enforcement agencies, etc.

  • Represent Peace over Violence to the public and media, when necessary

Other Responsibilities:

  • Ensure completion of client record data-entry forms & other client-related file upkeep in timely manner

  • Attend scheduled meetings

  • Attend in-services, agency staff meeting, annual agency functions

  • Maintain accurate time sheets and agency paperwork

  • Provide statistical analysis and narrative regarding program activities for agency reports

QUALIFICATIONS

  • Demonstrated knowledge of crisis intervention, sexual and domestic violence, child abuse/neglect, stalking, elder abuse intervention

  • Experience in crisis counseling

  • Completed or intend to complete Peace Over Violence’s 72-hour counselor/advocate training or its equivalent

  • Ability to establish effective working relationships with criminal justice and social service agencies members

  • Ability to work with clients, volunteers and staff in a non-judgmental manner

  • Ability to relate in an empathetic, supportive, non-judgmental manner to victims and their families

  • Demonstrate initiative and professionalism; ability to work independently and maintain work load

  • Strong and effective oral and written communication skills; public speaking, facilitation of group discussions

  • Ability to work well with a diverse group of people; comfortable with L.A. and Pasadena communities

  • Capacity to balance and provide self-care while meeting the demands of a crisis center

  • Computer Literacy required: email, word documents, internet basics

  • Flexible Schedule to fit varying shifts; capacity to work some weekends and/or evenings

  • Automobile needed with a valid driver’s license and insurance

  • Bilingual skills (English/Spanish) required

  • Very organized and high level to attention to detail

  • Great attitude and team work mentality

  • Minimum of 2 years of experience with Immigration petitions preferred. 

  • Has worked as a partial BIA Accredited representative in the previous positions or is willing to work as BIA Accredited representative and possess required qualifications

 

Peace Over Violence encourages applicants from a diverse pool of candidates including candidates of color, candidates with disabilities, candidates who identify with the LGBTQ community and others.

Applicants may submit a resume and cover letter to:
Peace Over Violence
Attn: Payal Sinha, Managing Attorney
Peace Over Violence, 892 N. Fair Oaks Ave. Suite D Pasadena, CA 91103

Email: payal@peaceoverviolence.org

No phone calls, please

Peace Over Violence is an Equal Opportunity Employer and Prohibits Discrimination and Harassment of Any Kind: Peace Over Violence is committed to the principle of equal employment opportunity for all employees and to providing employees with a work environment free of discrimination and harassment. All employment decisions at Peace Over Violence are based on business needs, job requirements and individual qualifications, without regard to race, color, religion or belief, national, social or ethnic origin, sex (including pregnancy), age, physical, mental or sensory disability, HIV Status, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, marital, civil union or domestic partnership status, past or present military service, family medical history or genetic information, family or parental status, or any other status protected by the laws or regulations in the locations where we operate. Peace Over Violence will not tolerate discrimination or harassment based on any of these characteristics.