Part-Time Paralegal/Attorney Assistant (Multiple Positions)

Under the general supervision of a Deputy Public Defender in the Immigration Unit or other manager, performs legal research and prepares documents, reports, summaries and recommendations for Immigration cases, and performs other duties as required.

Job Responsibilities include:

• Litigation Support:
  • Speak with NJOPD clients to complete forms.
  • Work with NJOPD clients and family members to collect evidence.
  • As needed, speak with NJOPD clients’ families and next of kin to investigate further information when clients cannot be located.
  • Review Judiciary systems such as CCH, eCourts, PCSAM to verify criminal history. Obtain certified criminal documents from courts, as needed.
  • Track requests for expert opinions. Maintain communication with experts to ensure documents are requested and received in a timely manner.
  • Review filings for sufficiency including page numbers, certificates of service, and required documents.
  • Correspond with NJOPD staff attorneys requesting updates on their clients & ensure attorneys remain aware of deadlines and upcoming court dates. 
  • Review Judiciary eCourts system and immigration court system regularly to track dates and calendars.
• Relationship Maintenance:
  • Maintain relationships with county jails to learn when and to where NJOPD clients released from state custody are transferred.
  • Locate where noncitizens are being held in ICE custody by employing information obtained during NJOPD interviews on federal and state websites.
• ICE Communication:
  • Communicate with ICE detention centers across the United States to obtain and confirm the procedures by which to request confidential attorney-client communication.
  • Research how to communicate with clients at various ICE detention centers where clients are held.
  • Call or email directly with ICE detention centers where attorney communication instructions are not available online to obtain information on scheduling confidential client communication.
  • Maintain a database of contact information and procedures for attorney-client communication for all ICE facilities where NJOPD clients are held.
• Public Defender Staff Attorney Support:
  • Provide staff attorneys with information on their clients held at ICE detention centers.
  • Inform staff attorneys how to communicate with clients at ICE locations where clients are held, including by providing phone or email contact information, information on when calls can be scheduled and through which providers (Securus, Telenet…), and providing the required personal client information to schedule communication.
  • Ensure assigned staff attorney is aware of upcoming court dates and deadlines in outside court systems, including the Executive Office of Immigration Review (immigration court) to ensure outcomes in criminal and immigration court are coordinated.
• File Maintenance:
  • Maintain immigration unit files to ensure uniformity between paper files, electronic files, and multiple NJOPD internal databases.
  • Maintain paper copies of files with client immigration documents and applications.
  • Scan and upload all correspondence with client and USCIS into both the paper and electronic files.
  • Maintain electronic client files: ensure OneDrive, Teams Channel, and Infoshare all have the same up-to-date documents.
• Database Management:
  • Maintain and revise immigration information in NJOPD client database (CMS) as needed.
  • Upload all immigration documents into CMS ensuring correct folder placement of all documents.

Preference will be given to people who speak a second language. High preference will be given to speakers of Spanish and Haitian creole.

This position is eligible to work a maximum of 944 hours per fiscal year. This may be part time or full time depending on applicant preference and operational needs. The position is funded for 1 year and renewal after the initial 1 year period is not guaranteed.

Graduation from an accredited college with a Bachelor's degree. Two (2) years of paralegal or legal/legislative research experience.

NOTE: Applicants who do not possess the required education may substitute additional experience as indicated above on a year for year basis.

NOTE: A Bachelor's degree in Law may be substituted for both the education and experience requirements listed above.

NOTE: Applicants who do not possess a Bachelor's degree may substitute an Associate's degree as a Legal Assistant or in Paralegal Studies or, successful completion of a two (2) year approved course in Paralegal Training at a recognized educational institution for two (2) years of college education.Appointees will be required to possess a driver's license valid in New Jersey only if the operation of a vehicle, rather than employee mobility, is necessary to perform essential duties of the position.

If you are applying under the NJ "SAME" program, your supporting documents (Schedule A or B letter), must be submitted along with your resume by the closing date indicated above. For more information on the SAME Program visit their Website at: https://nj.gov/csc/same/overview/index.shtml, email: [email protected], or call CSC at (833) 691-0404.