Catholic Charities of Baltimore is current seeking a bilingual Paralegal Specialist at Esperanza Center who will support a new, 2-year initiative called The Baltimore New American Access Coalition. Funded by the Baltimore City Mayor's Office of Immigrant Affairs (MIMA), this position will work closely with an immigration attorney to provide guidance and information related to public benefit programs and Public Charge concerns to vulnerable immigrant and refugee households and their assigned case managers. This position will additionally support the organization and implementation of community-based legal clinics and legal casework to support immigrant access to legal services.

The Esperanza Center is a comprehensive resource center whose mission is to welcome immigrants by offering hope, compassionate services, and the power to improve their lives. Since 1963, immigrants from all over the world have trusted the Esperanza Center to help them navigate life in a new country. Our dedicated staff and volunteers provide services related to education, healthcare, immigration legal matters, family reunification for unaccompanied immigrant children, and general community support to thousands of immigrants each year.

Schedule: Monday - Friday

JOB DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Organize and staff community-based legal clinics to assist with registration, intake, obtain necessary client paperwork, manage flow of clients, direct immigrants to additional resources, and interpret for volunteer attorneys.
• Track and summarize data pursuant to grant reporting requirements.
• Share referral information and resources, particularly related to public benefit eligibility and intersections with Public Charge concerns, with immigrants, refugees, and their assigned case managers as part of The Baltimore New American Access Coalition. Case management staff will be located at Esperanza Center, International Rescue Committee, CASA de Maryland, Southeast Community Development Center, and the Immigrant Outreach Service Center.
• Prepare Forms for U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and Executive Office of Immigration Review (EOIR) under the supervision of an Immigration Attorney.
• Develop and implement creative outreach strategies that will connect unrepresented immigrants in removal proceedings to available legal services and resources.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

• Bachelor's Degree, or the equivalent combination of education and experience
• Paralegal or law-related experience preferred, especially in an immigration non-profit or fast paced private position.
• Must be available some evenings and weekends when community legal clinics occur.
• Bilingual in English and Spanish strongly preferred.
• Requires the ability to utilize computer systems and software necessary to perform position functions. Basic Windows PC, web browsing (i.e. Chrome, Internet Explorer, etc.), and Microsoft Outlook skills required. Other Microsoft Office application knowledge, such as Word, Excel PowerPoint, Skype, and OneDrive desired as well as familiarity with legal management systems.

Catholic Charities’ policy requires employees in this position to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19, which includes a process for requesting exemption.

We offer a wide range of benefits to meet the ever-changing needs of our employees including but not limited to:

• Health/Dental/Vision
• Vacation/sick/holiday pay
• 403(b) Retirement Plan with a discretionary employer contribution
• Tuition Reimbursement

Join Catholic Charities of Baltimore where you will be an important member of a trauma-informed care organization that promotes a culture of safety, empowerment, healing, and self-care, and that believes that every person has infinite worth and promise.

Catholic Charities is an equal opportunity employer

Experience

• Paralegal experience preferred

Education

• Bachelors or better in Legal/Ethical Studies or related field

Behaviors

• Team Player: Works well as a member of a group
• Functional Expert: Considered a thought leader on a subject
• Enthusiastic: Shows intense and eager enjoyment and interest
• Detail Oriented: Capable of carrying out a given task with all details necessary to get the task done well
• Dedicated: Devoted to a task or purpose with loyalty or integrity

Motivations

• Ability to Make an Impact: Inspired to perform well by the ability to contribute to the success of a project or the organization