Immigration Counselor or Immigration Attorney

Position Title:  Immigration Counselor or Immigration Attorney

Reporting Relationship:  Director of Immigration Legal Services

Status: FT with benefits                                             

Arrive Ministries: Is a faith-based organization that envisions the most vulnerable people transformed economically, socially, and spiritually. We work primarily with refugees resettled in Minnesota.

Primary Purpose of this Position:

To provide quality immigration legal services to the Twin Cities refugee and immigrant communities.

Direct Service Provider

• Explain to client’s immigration benefit eligibility, current immigration laws, and filing processes in comprehensible formats.
• Complete in-depth legal screenings, complete USCIS forms, and submit applications to USCIS for such services as green cards, citizenship and family reunification.
• Complete data entry in department tracking databases for all clients.
• Provide ongoing legal representation to clients with open cases. Potential tasks include but are not limited to the following: assist clients in responding to RFEs (Requests for Evidence), address changes, case processing requests, attend client interviews with USCIS.
• Grow knowledge of US Immigration laws and policies through regular immigration trainings and research.

Department Administrative Support

• Maintain department administrative databases.
• Work collaboratively with Immigration Department staff and other colleagues.
• Attend to walk-in clients and answer phone inquiries.
• Other projects within the Immigration Department as needed.

Afghan Preferred Communities ORR Contract Provider

• Coordinate client services
• Work collaboratively with partner agencies
• Database entry and upkeep of files according to World Relief and ORR (Office of Refugee Resettlement) standards.
• Ensure outcomes achieved meet goals as specified in ORR contracts.
• Prepare dashboards for monthly Arrive Ministries staff meetings and report on contract outcomes.
• Serve as first point of contact for issues and questions related to ORR contract.
• Prepare case files for the ORR audits.

Required Knowledge and Skills:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience required, Master’s degree in a relevant field (Social Work, Nonprofit Management, etc.), J.D. or DOJ (Department of Justice) accreditation preferred.
• Willing to work toward DOJ accreditation, if not a J.D. or have current DOJ accreditation
  • Agree to the Arrive Ministries Statement of faith, values and code of conduct.
  • Proven cross-cultural communication skills and experience.
  • Able to speak, read, and write fluently in the English language, multilingual capabilities preferred.
  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

• Proficiency using computer applications for writing, record keeping, and research.
• Strong attention to detail.
• Highly motivated, self-starter, quick-learner, efficient worker with proven ability to produce high-quality outcomes.
• Comfortable in a high-intensity environment and ability to prioritize and multi-task.
• Patience and compassion with people in crisis, and ability to handle limited-English speaking clients.
• Excellent time management and problem-solving abilities.
• Licensed and insured driver with ability to use own vehicle for work at off-site partnership locations.
• Agree with and adhere to Transform Minnesota’s Statement of Faith, Core Values and Code of Conduct.

Desired Knowledge, Skill, and Experience:

• Previous experience with immigration legal services and/or previous DOJ accreditation.
• Experience managing and developing people and programs.
• Multilingual capabilities.

Requirements are representative of minimum levels of knowledge, skills and / or abilities. To perform this job successfully, the employee will possess the abilities or aptitude to perform each duty proficiently.