Workers' Rights Program Legal Assistant

UFW FOUNDATION JOB POST

TITLE:

Workers’ Rights Program Legal Assistant

FLSA STATUS:

Hourly (Non-Exempt)

LOCATION:

Bakersfield, CA

HIRING RANGE:

$20.00 to $24.00, depending on experience.

About UFW Foundation: For nearly 20 years, the UFW Foundation has mobilized farm workers and their organizations across the country to advocate for more equitable policies, such as immigration reform, pesticide protections, heat standards, hazard pay and other worker protections. We engage constituents in systemic change to break the cycle of poverty while also providing critical services. In fact, the UFW Foundation is one of the largest federally accredited immigration legal service providers in the rural parts of the state of California. The organization has staff in California, Arizona, Georgia, Illinois, Michigan, New York, and Washington state.

The UFW Foundation’s Immigration Legal Services Program provides high quality comprehensive affirmative and removal defense services and representation before U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR), and California State Courts. We represent low-income clients, including unaccompanied minors, in an array of affirmative and defensive applications, including but not limited to family petitions, U-visa/VAWA, Waivers, Naturalization and DACA, as well as Asylum/Withholding/CAT, Cancellation of Removal and Special Immigrants Juvenile Status (SIJS). 

SUMMARY: The legal assistant will support the Supervising Attorney (1) protecting employee rights; (2) assist in providing representation of clients in labor rights matters; (3) services and outreach at assigned community events as needed; and (4) work closely with other UFW Foundation programs to drive an organizing culture which influences systemic change. Legal Assistants report to the Supervising Attorney and work closely with the Chief Programs Officer on Workers’ Rights program needs. 

The responsibilities of the incumbent include, but are not limited to client intake, collecting and organizing evidentiary documents, drafting correspondence and filing documents with appropriate state agencies as needed. Secondary duties will include various special projects related to the events and activities in which the organization or attorney is involved. 

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:  (This is not an exhaustive list)

Primary:

• Conducts initial intakes with potential clients.
• Provide necessary follow-up after intakes to evaluate potential client's eligibility. Follow up includes performing legal research, obtaining additional information from clients, etc.
• Provide administrative and legal support to attorney(s), and other management staff.
• Assist in maintaining accurate client database and case physical and/or electronic files
• Utilize computer hardware and software to produce documents.
• Read and routes incoming legal mail. Locates and attaches appropriate files to correspondence to be answered by attorney(s).
• Compose routine and complex correspondence requiring the ability to create merge documents and graphics.
• Make copies of correspondence or other printed materials.
• Prepare outgoing mail and correspondence, including e-mail and faxes.
• Assist with the coordination of special events.
• Translate documents from Spanish to English and vice-versa.
• Provide information to potential clients.
• File complaints and follow up on service of process.

Other, as needed:

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

The ideal candidate for this position must have a high level of professionalism and organization. The candidate must demonstrate competency in the following areas:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

PREFERRED REQUIREMENTS AND/OR QUALIFICATIONS:

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE:

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS: 

• Valid California Class C driver’s license, access to an automobile, insurance, and willingness to travel to off-site locations.
• Requires the ability to type at a rate of not less than 50 Net Words Per Minute (NWPM).

COMPENSATION: 

The hourly pay range for this position is $17.90 to $25.00, and benefits include:

• Accruals of 2, 3, and 4 vacation weeks per year depending on tenure
• 16 paid holidays (includes a personal day)
• 1 mental health day per calendar year
• Paid sick days
• Health, dental, and vision benefits
• Life insurance
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Employee Assistance Program for support with personal and work-related challenges
• 403(b) retirement plan with 2% employer match (providing employee meets criteria)
• 401(k) retirement plan with no employer match (providing employee meets criteria) *
• Employer-sponsored pension plan*
• Supplemental insurance (within 30 days of hire date)*
• Professional development opportunities and access to thousands of courses
• 20% discount for immigration services through the UFW Foundation
• Many discounts, such as entertainment discounts for movie theaters, theme parks, etc. via ADP Lifemart, TicketsatWork, and UnionPlus

*Note: Some of the benefits listed above are not available to temporary employees. Eligibility and access to benefits may vary based on employment status and other factors.

ADDITIONAL AND/OR SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS AND/OR QUALIFICATIONS

COVID-19 Vaccination Requirement – The UFW Foundation is committed to ensuring the health and safety of our community, employees, and program participants. While vaccinations and boosters are not currently mandatory, we strongly recommend their use as a crucial measure in reducing the transmission of COVID-19. It is imperative to emphasize that if a pandemic situation arises that necessitates vaccines and/or boosters, we will reinstate this requirement to protect everyone effectively. Vaccinations have proven to be effective in preventing the spread of the virus and reducing severe illness. By choosing to get vaccinated, individuals contribute to the collective effort in mitigating the impact of the pandemic and creating a safer environment for all. We will continually monitor the evolving situation and follow the guidance of health authorities. 

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: 

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. 

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER:

The UFW Foundation is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We believe a strong commitment to equal employment opportunity is more than a legal and moral obligation – it is also a sound business practice to realize the potential of every individual. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive work environment for all! In order to provide equal employment and advancement opportunity to all individuals, employment decisions at the UFW Foundation will be based on merit, qualifications, and abilities. Except where required or permitted by law, employment practices will not be influenced or affected by an applicant’s or employee’s race, color, religion, sex/gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, marital status, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, ancestry, disability, genetic information, age, or any characteristic protected by law. 

We encourage all qualified applicants to apply for a position fighting for farm worker and immigrant communities! The UFW Foundation believes in second chances. As an organization, we will rely on individualized assessments in the hiring of those with past criminal convictions. The UFW Foundation will make reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with qualified disabilities under the Americans with Disabilities Act unless doing so would result in an undue hardship. Persons of color, gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people, persons with disabilities, persons who have lived in poverty, formerly incarcerated, persons 40 years old or older, and people fluent in more than one language are strongly encouraged to apply for open positions with the UFW Foundation. 

This policy governs all aspects of employment, including selection, job assignment, compensation, counseling, discipline, termination, access to benefits and training. Our commitment to equal opportunity employment applies to all persons involved in our operations and prohibits unlawful discrimination by any employee, including supervisors and co-workers.