The mission of the International Institute of New England (IINE) is to create opportunities for refugees and immigrants to succeed through resettlement, education, career advancement and pathways to citizenship. One of the oldest and largest human services organizations for New Americans in the region, IINE serves more than 4,000 people each year in Boston and Lowell, Massachusetts, and Manchester, New Hampshire. Our programs include case management, youth and family services, English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL), employment and skills training, and immigration legal services.

A dynamic, forward-looking, and rapidly growing non-profit organization, we seek well-qualified, solutions-focused candidates who are experts in their respective fields. Successful candidates will join a committed team of professional staff and volunteers who are devoted to welcoming and serving new Americans.

Overview
The International Institute of New England has a rapidly growing immigration legal services practice. We are searching for an energetic and committed paralegal to serve migrant families living in emergency shelters. The paralegal will join a team of committed professionals that provides high quality, immigration assistance to immigrants and refugees under the supervision of IINE’s Staff Attorney for Shelter Services.

This role requires the paralegal to focus specifically on serving migrant families housed in emergency shelters within a 30-60 drive of our Boston and Lowell, Massachusetts offices. This role requires the paralegal to maintain their own caseload, including screening clients for possible legal representation, document gathering, preparing case files for attorney review, and assisting with preparing filings for the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. A major focus will be on assisting clients with parole-based Employment Authorization Documents (EADs). The position will require travel to and working from one or more hotels where migrant families are housed. IINE is currently considering experienced candidates for this role, with a preference for candidates who speak Haitian-Creole, Portuguese, and/or Spanish. This is a great opportunity for an experienced immigration paralegal looking to respond to the state of emergency recently declared by Governor Healey. This is a one-year position with the possibility for renewal.

Position: Paralegal, Shelter Services

• Department: Shelter Services
• Reports to: Staff Attorney, Shelter Services
• Supervises: N/A
• Status: Exempt, Full-Time
• Location: Boston, MA or Lowell, MA
• Position Format: On-site

Benefits:

Full-time employees will be eligible for all benefits including Personal Time Off (PTO), sick days, and twelve paid holidays. You may participate in all benefit programs that IINE establishes and makes available to eligible employees, under (and subject to all provisions of) the plan documents that govern those programs. Currently, IINE offers medical, dental and vision. Company-paid life insurance, company-paid short-term disability (STD), long term disability (LTD), accidental death and dismemberment and disability coverage, Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA), other benefits including 403(b) with company match plan(s) pursuant to the terms and conditions of company policy and the 403(b)-plan document. Other perks such as discounts through our vision plan, fitness reimbursement and more.

Responsibilities
Client Services
• Perform client intake, gathering sufficient facts and information to assess eligibility for immigration relief.
• Provide quality legal services at hotels serving as emergency shelters for migrant families, working from the hotels and IINE offices as needed.
• Monitor and maintain an organized caseload.
• Draft Employer Authorization Document (EAD) applications and other USCIS applications. • Maintain proper client files and documentary evidence required to prove eligibility for immigration relief. • Conduct legal research as necessary.
• Work closely with IINE programmatic staff and partner community-based organizations to ensure that clients receive holistic service addressing their many needs beyond legal representation.
• Remain current in best practices in immigration legal services, participating in continuing legal education (CLEs) programs as appropriate.
• Take direction on all legal matters from the Staff Attorney, Shelter Services, adjusting schedule, client load, and other duties as directed to meet all deadlines and requirements for each client matter.
• Maintain and update immigration database with detailed client case notes and changes to contact information.
• Achieve weekly, monthly, quarterly and annual forms completion goals. • All other duties assigned by supervisor/manager.

Administrative
• Responsible for updating case management systems with case notes, maintaining client files (physical and digital), and engaging in reconciliation activities with the finance department as needed.
• Pull relevant data as needed for reporting or work closely with IINE’s Associate Director of Research & Evaluation to collect and provide information and data.
• Participate in legal providers meetings as directed by the managing attorney.
• Identify processes and procedures that can help the immigration legal services teamwork more efficiently and effectively.

Education & Experience
• At least two (2) years’ experience in immigration law assisting clients with a range of immigration relief.
• Professional and/or volunteer experience working directly with marginalized populations.

Required Skills/Abilities
• Fluency in Haitian-Creole, Spanish, and/or Portuguese is a plus.
• Knowledge of immigration policies and regulations.
• Excellent organizational and time management skills – demonstrated ability to meet deadlines.
• Ability to act independently and in a team setting.
• Willingness to learn as much as possible about legal immigration work and to contribute to the smooth operation of the immigration legal program at IINE.
• A strong sense of professionalism, discretion, and confidentiality.
• Effective communicator; should be comfortable working as part of a team and expressing innovative or critical ideas
• Cooperative, friendly, and helpful attitude with clients and co-workers.
• Proficiency in a Windows/PC environment including highly proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel and Outlook and the ability to quickly become proficient in the use of IINE's immigration law software and database.
• Strong writing skills (writing sample required).
• Demonstrated ability to serve clients in a professional, welcoming, and efficient manner.

Work Environment Conditions

• Frequent interruptions from employees and clients- must have ability to multi-task.
• Must have access to a vehicle and auto insurance. Position requires travel to shelters/hotels within driving distance from our Boston and Lowell offices. (NOTE: IINE pays the government’s mileage reimbursement rate for all travel).

Physical Demands

• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Must be able to lift up to 15 pounds on occasion.

Covid-19 Policy

IINE does not require applicants for most positions to show proof of Covid-19. Some federal contracts, however, require IINE staff to show proof of Covid-19 vaccination, and some immigration status adjustments, such as a Green Card, require proof of Covid-19 vaccination as well. Consequently, for some positions, IINE staff may be required to show proof of vaccination, and in others, IINE staff will be supporting clients who are required by law to have proof of vaccination in order to adjust their status in the United States.

US Work Eligibility Notice

This position requires lawful authorization to work in the United States, and IINE is unable to provide visa sponsorship in connection with this