Job Availability

CAIR Florida's central office in Tampa has openings for the following positions and skills:

• Asylum Legal Fellow
• Events & Community Outreach Coordinator 
• Paralegal

​Please see the job description and application instructions below:

 

►Asylum Legal Fellow

 

CAIR-FLORIDA’S ASYLUM LEGAL FELLOW

CAIR is America's largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. The Florida chapter of CAIR (CAIR-Florida) is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. CAIR-Florida is looking for an attorney to head our new Asylum Program. The ideal candidate for the position must be a passionate human rights advocate and an exceptional attorney. The person will work to promote CAIR's mission and cultivate strong ties with the individuals, organizations, and donors. The Asylum Legal Fellow is responsible for direct client representation, pro bono program support, and outreach.

 

Fellowship is ideal for individuals wishing to practice law in Florida. Fellowship requires a commitment of forty hours per week.  Fellowship duration is one year, however applicants may be offered staff position depending on performance, funding and needs.

 

Application deadline

 

MAY 31, 2013
 

ESSENTIAL JOB QUALIFICATIONS

·         Juris Doctor Degree – Licensed to practice in any state.

·         At least one year of experience in Immigration and Nationality Law, specifically in asylum law or litigation a plus. Alternatively, a good candidate would have three years of legal experience and an ability to rapidly learn new areas of the law.

·         Desire to work with asylum seekers.

·         Strong public speaking and interpersonal skills.

·         Excellent writing skills.

·         Desire to work in a team environment.

·         Foreign language abilities, such as Arab, a plus but not required. 
 

RESPONSIBILITIES/DUTIES

·         Direct Client Representation

·         Direct representation of asylum seekers and asylees before the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, Executive Office for Immigration Review, and the Board of Immigration Appeals for asylum and related forms of relief (e.g., asylee relative petitions, adjustment of status and employment authorization). This work includes drafting client affidavits, performing legal and country conditions research, assembling asylum applications, authoring motions and briefs, and representing clients at hearings and interviews.

·         Work collaboratively with other members of the legal staff.

·         Govern workflow and conduct all aspects of in-house asylum cases.

·         Assist in intake and evaluation of new cases with the legal team.

·         Maintain and enhance legal expertise through educational programs and CLEs.

·         Guide interns with case strategy and legal research.

·         Preparing clients for interviews at Asylum Office.

·         Preparing clients for individual hearings before the Immigration Court.

·         Pro Bono Program Support

·         Assist in the recruitment and training of interns.

·         Create Immigration Program to  include the following services:

1) Citizenship instruction to prepare permanent residents for the civics (U.S. history and government) and English (reading, writing and speaking) components of the naturalization test. Program design must include:

a) The use of a nationally standardized test of English proficiency for student placement and assessment of progress.

b) The provision of at least 40 hours of citizenship instruction over a 10-15 week class cycle for students at or below the National Reporting System for Adult Education (NRS) high beginning level.

c) At least 24 hours of citizenship instruction over a 10-15 week class cycle for all other students.

2) Naturalization application services to support permanent residents in the naturalization application and interview process, within the scope of the authorized practice of immigration law. Services must include:

a) The provision of naturalization eligibility screening.

b) The preparation and submission of Form N-400, Application for Naturalization, and Form G-28, Notice of Entry of Appearance as Attorney or Accredited Representative.

c) Ongoing case management.

 Note: Services may also include interview preparation, a representative’s appearance at the naturalization interview, and filing of other forms or documents (such as Form N-648, Medical Certification for Disability Exceptions), if applicable.

·         Legal Outreach

·         Maintain alliances with community groups and other organizations.

·         Speak to various groups about CAIR-Florida’s Asylum Program

·         Create brochures for the Asylum Program

·         Write asylum related pieces for blog

·         Cooperate in the writing of applicable portions of Annual report

·         Assist with grant writing, including accessing statistics and client stories.

 SUPERVISOR
Civil Rights Director

Application Process:
Please email a cover letter, resume, unofficial transcript, and current legal writing sample to tclevenger@cair.com
 

► Events & Community Outreach Coordinator

CAIR is seeking a qualified individual for the part-time position of events & community outreach coordinator in Tampa that may lead to full time employment.

The community outreach/event coordinator is responsible for overseeing all aspects of special event planning, coordination, organization and promotion; volunteer participation, including recruitment, training, supervision, and scheduling; community relations development; other administrative tasks.

Duties and responsibilities:

• Schedule and coordinate community outreach events including speeches, workshops, film screenings, interfaith programs, know your rights seminars, Islam 101,  youth leadership,  internships, conferences, mosque open houses, fundraising events and the annual banquet throughout the state.
• Recruit, train, supervise, and schedule interns and volunteers.
• Develop partnerships with other Muslim or civil rights organizations to increase outreach.
• Coordinate tours and visits to see our office.
• Design, implement, and coordinator community outreach plan for our events. 
• Assist with negotiations for event contracts and book event space, arrange food and beverage, order supplies and audiovisual equipment, make travel arrangements, order event signs, and oversee all details of events. Serve as liaison with vendors on event-related matters. 
• Propose new ideas to improve the event planning and implementation process. 
• Assist with preparing budgets and provide periodic progress reports for major events
• Keep track of event finances including check requests, invoicing, and reporting.
• Oversee event sponsorship program.

Qualifications:

• Excellent communication skills, including writing, proof reading skills, and speaking. 
• Ability to manage multiple projects and work assignments from a variety of staff and volunteers. 
• Excellent interpersonal skills both in person and by phone, with high degree of professionalism. 
• Ability to accomplish projects with minimal supervision. 
• Bachelor's degree in related field.
• At least 1 year experience in event promotions, PR and/or community organizing.
• Proficient using the latest versions of Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access, and mail merges; email and web searches.
• Familiarity, knowledge and experience working with the American Muslim community is desired.
   

Compensation is commensurate with experience and qualifications.

TO APPLY: Send résumé, cover letter and salary requirements by email to: sbowden@cair.com with "Outreach & Event Coordinator" in the subject line. Applications without a cover letter will not be considered.

►Paralegal Job Description

Areas of Practice: Civil Rights, Employment Discrimination, Law Enforcement Harassment, Naturalization Delays, School Bullying, Border Delays, and Public Accommodations

 

Skills and Education Requirements: To successfully perform the required duties as a paralegal, it is imperative that you have certain skills and personal abilities. The most significant skills are strong organizational abilities with an eye for detail and effective time management to meet important deadlines. Effective communication skills with superiors, subordinates and most importantly with clients, are essential. A legal assistant must be aware of the local, state and federal filing rules, elementary legal procedures, and legal terminology. Other necessary skills that are required is the ability to grasp new concepts for quick learning, good comprehension and writing abilities, and proficiency while using computers and other necessary equipment such as fax machines, copiers and work related software. The minimum educational qualification required to become a legal assistant is a high school diploma, along with relevant experience or formal training.

 

Responsibilities:
The paralegal’s job includes providing assistance to the attorneys. The main legal assistant responsibilities are as follows. He/she researches old cases, investigates facts related to the current case, prepares legal forms. A legal assistant is not allowed to provide legal advice to clients. A legal assistant has to review case records, gather necessary data and update the case progress. Depending on the study and analysis of the cases, he/she gives oral presentations and also prepares case reports.
Given below is a list of legal assistant duties:

• Assist attorneys in devising, proofreading and executing legal documents that include EEOC charges, TRIP complaints, motions, appeals, incident reports for clients, complaints, subpoenas, and summons.
• Required to keep records of case files and other important documents.
• Follow-up with pending court cases, by keeping a track of the latest court decisions and introduction of new laws that may affect the case, and assess legal publications for the same.
• Aid attorneys by collecting and organizing client information such as their employment status and records.
• Take notes in important meetings such as legal hearings and client meetings and interviews and maintain relevant records.
• Taking care of client documentation by filling out forms such as those pertaining to incidents of discrimination and records requests.
• Other duties include maintaining necessary correspondence with clients by keeping them informed about the latest developments regarding the case, and sending across necessary documents via e-mail, fax or post. Communicate this information to the relevant subordinates, colleagues and superiors.
• Compiling, verifying and categorizing data.
• Scheduling appointments, receiving and making telephone calls, drafting and typing office memos, obtaining detailed fact summaries of cases, and other administrative duties.
• Preparing and updating case list weekly. 
• Monitoring and calendaring case deadlines
• Analyzing available data and suggests some of the best solutions to solve a problem or case.

Application Process:
Please email a cover letter, resume, unofficial transcript, and current legal writing sample to tclevenger@cair.com

 

CAIR is an equal opportunity employer.