POSITION: The Michigan Immigrant Rights Center (MIRC), a statewide division of the Michigan Statewide Advocacy Services (MSAS), is seeking candidates for a full-time office/legal assistant position based in its Grand Rapids office location.
DESCRIPTION OF PROGRAM: MIRC is part of Michigan Statewide Advocacy Services (MSAS), a non-profit law firm providing free legal services to low income and senior persons through several statewide programs. MIRC is a legal resource center for immigrant communities. The three pillars of our work are: 1) direct legal services; 2) systemic advocacy; and 3) community education and engagement. MSAS is administered by the Michigan Advocacy Program (MAP), which provides access to the justice system for those who need it the most through civil legal aid offices and statewide advocacy programs.
RESPONSIBILITIES: The role will be split between work as an office assistant serving the Grand Rapids office and as a legal assistant supporting attorneys handling immigration law and immigrant rights cases. The office assistant duties are: staffing the reception desk, processing incoming and outgoing mail, monitoring and ordering office supplies, managing petty cash, being the primary point person to liaise with MAP’s IT team for any local office technology needs and troubleshooting, and handling other office-wide matters that need coordination under the direction of the local supervising attorney. The legal assistant duties are: assisting attorneys with all aspects of their work such as the development of legal documents, communications with clients, scheduling, interpreting/translating, and more. The office/legal assistant will be the essential staff person in the office while MAP staff is primarily working remotely due to COVID-19, and will be responsible for monitoring according to internal policies in addition to other duties to facilitate the work of remote staff.
QUALIFICATIONS: Excellent communication skills in English and Spanish are required. An associate’s degree or commensurate educational and work experience is required; a bachelor’s degree is preferred. Candidate must be detail-oriented with strong organizational skills. Candidate must be proficient with major software and web services including Word, Excel, G Suite, etc. Preference will be given to candidates with a demonstrated commitment to social, economic, and racial justice, especially in the area of immigrant rights. No prior legal or immigration experience required, though it is preferred.
BENEFITS: This is a full-time position with a 2021 starting salary at $34,000 and includes excellent health, disability, and fringe benefits.
Apply by:
- Completing this form: https://forms.gle/fEHGWFVsmKF5MwAR7
- Emailing a cover letter that confirms your qualifications, your current resume, and a list of three professional references to jobs@michiganimmigrant.org with “MIRC Grand Rapids Office and Legal Assistant” in the subject line.
Applications will be considered on a rolling basis, but priority is given to those received by January 18, 2021.
MSAS is an equal opportunity employer, committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace.
Posted: January 4, 2021
