Northwest Workers’ Justice Project seeks Bilingual Paralegal*

pdf here: NWJP Bilingual Paralegal Position Description 2021

(see below for Bilingual Communication Coordinator position)

The Northwest Workers’ Justice Project protects workplace dignity by supporting the efforts of low-wage, immigrant and contingent workers to improve wages and working conditions and to eliminate imbalances in power that lead to inequity. We offer high-quality, direct legal assistance to workers and their organizations; support organizing efforts; educate workers, their leaders and the public about workplace rights; advocate for better employment laws; and promote greater access to low-cost employment legal assistance.

Our office is in Portland, Oregon. We all are currently working remotely, but would prefer that the successful candidate spend at least two days a week in the office when we return. This is listed as a full-time, 40-hour a week position, but FTE is negotiable.

Position description:

*Paralegal certification is not a requirement for this position. On-the-job training will be offered to the successful candidate who displays appropriate basic skills.

NWJP seeks a bilingual paralegal to work with our low-wage and immigrant clients to build power as a way of dismantling structural racism and inequities. The paralegal will help provide culturally relevant legal services, educate workers and the community on workers’ rights, and support workers through all stages of workers’ rights litigation.

Duties may include:

• Providing office and staff support, including answering calls, managing mail, filing, monitoring faxes, preparing office for meetings, and performing development/fundraising tasks;
• Supporting clients through the life of their cases and managing and maintaining client communications;
• Developing and maintaining good relationships with the client communities, state and local bar, government agencies, and community organizations;
• Working with staff to develop and implement outreach and education strategies to current and prospective clients and community organizations, particularly to immigrant and women workers;
• Providing technical assistance and education to clients that may need support for activities like preserving electronic evidence or participating in video conferences.

With time and training provided by our staff, this position will also entail all or some of the following:

• Helping attorneys with case management and support, including document and file management, research, drafting simple legal documents, and tracking data;
• Learning to complete detailed client interviews and fact investigation concerning workplace disputes;
• Under attorney supervision and direction, advocating on behalf of clients in employment disputes, and providing information and legal assistance to workers with employment-related claims;
• Helping advertise for, train and supervise volunteers and interns.

The position requires the ability to work well with co-workers and a variety of external partners including civil rights organizations, immigrants’ rights organizations, and community and other advocacy groups.

The ideal candidate will possess a combination of the following skills and experience:

• Fluent English-language skills and high proficiency in spoken and written Spanish required;
• Bicultural or cultural competence to help address legal needs of immigrant workers and ability to establish trusting relationships;
• Passion and proven commitment to social and worker justice and a desire to disrupt existing systems of oppression;
• Ability to work both independently and as a team player;
• Strong organizational skills, responsible follow-through and flexibility around reacting quickly to changing priorities;
• Ability to be detailed-oriented with excellent time management skills;
• Strong oral and written communication skills, including willingness to give public presentations after training;
• Strong computers skills, including word processing, spreadsheets and Google Apps, and the ability to navigate common smartphones;
• Employment and/or immigration law experience preferred, but not required;
• Willingness and ability to flex work schedule to work weekends and evenings, occasionally as needed;
• A valid Oregon driver’s license and access to a vehicle to travel to presentations and clinics and to meet with clients outside of Portland, preferred.

How to apply:

We will be hiring to start the last week in April, if possible. Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled.

Please send a cover letter, resume, writing sample and a list of three references to Corinna Spencer-Scheurich, Director, at jobs@nwjp.org. Please include the posting you are applying for in the subject line.

NWJP strives to be an affirming, positive, diverse work environment and is an equal opportunity employer. We strongly encourage applicants who will contribute to our diversity and/or who come from our client communities to apply.

Salary:

 Flexible FTE with .8 FTE or more preferred. Salary is commensurate with salary paid by Oregon legal services programs, which depends on experience. As an example, a successful, bilingual candidate with 0-5 years of experience working full time would expect to make $43,100 to $50,100 a year, but applicants with more experience are encouraged to apply and would be paid according to experience.

NWJP offers a medical, vision and dental plan that is covered 100% for employees and offers a small contribution to child coverage. NWJP has a flexible work schedule, although this position will be asked to contribute in covering some of our regular office hours. NWJP provides paid vacations, sick days and holidays.

 

Northwest Workers’ Justice Project seeks a Bilingual Communication Coordinator

pdf here: NWJP Comms Coordinator Position Description 2021

The Northwest Workers’ Justice Project protects workplace dignity by supporting the efforts of low-wage, immigrant and contingent workers to improve wages and working conditions and to eliminate imbalances in power that lead to inequity. We offer high-quality, direct legal assistance to workers and their organizations; support organizing efforts; educate workers, their leaders and the public about workplace rights; advocate for better employment laws; and promote greater access to low-cost employment legal assistance.

Our office is in Portland, Oregon. We all are currently working remotely, and the amount of work-from-home is negotiable once the office reopens. This is listed as a full-time, 40-hour a week position, but FTE is also negotiable.

 Position description:

NWJP seeks a bilingual Communications Coordinator to help articulate a vision of racial and economic justice to a wide audience that includes low-wage and immigrant workers building power for systemic change, specifically by connecting to NWJP’s donors, clients and the public across various media and communication platforms.

Duties may include:

• Managing NWJP’s WordPress website, social media, email and other digital communication channels;
• Supporting Program Administrator and Director in the creation and distribution of fundraising appeals and event promotions, including drafting and designing content;
• Maintaining NWJP’s donor database and regular communications with donors;
• Working with staff in the creation and distribution of client information and Know-Your-Rights content in English and Spanish designed to empower low-wage and immigrant workers and support collective action;
• Supporting attorneys and coalition partners in identifying, leveraging and developing opportunities to secure media coverage, including helping draft press releases and op-eds;
• Helping  prepare clients and spokespeople to speak to press and in legislative meetings and hearings;
• Maintaining the Low Wage Worker Legal Network listserv membership and training archive;
• Working to create external communications and events that have a consistent voice, look, and feel to create a NWJP brand identity and lift up core messages and calls to action;
• Researching, procuring and integrating new communication tools and technologies with NWJP’s existing systems as needed.

The position requires the ability to work well with co-workers and a variety of external partners including donors, clients, attorneys, media reporters, unions, civil and immigrants’ rights organizations, and community and other advocacy groups.

The ideal candidate will possess a combination of the following skills and experience:

• Experience in the field of communications, content development, writing, social media, non-profit marketing, development or similar;
• Bicultural or cultural competence to reach a wide range of supporters, allies and clients;
• Strong English-language skills and medium-to-high proficiency in spoken and written Spanish required;
• Passion and proven commitment to social and worker justice and a desire to disrupt existing systems of oppression;
• Ability to work both independently and as a team player;
• Strong organizational skills, responsible follow-through and flexibility around reacting quickly to changing priorities;
• Ability to be detailed-oriented with excellent time management skills;
• Strong oral and written communication skills;
• Strong tech skills, including social media tools, WordPress, basic database management, MS Office suite, Mailchimp, Word Press and Googles suite.

How to apply:

We will be hiring to start the last week in April, if possible. Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled.

Please send a cover letter, resume, writing sample and a list of three references to Corinna Spencer-Scheurich, Director, at jobs@nwjp.org. Please include the posting you are applying for in the subject line.

NWJP strives to be an affirming, positive, diverse work environment and is an equal opportunity employer. We strongly encourage applicants who will contribute to our diversity and/or who come from our client communities to apply.

Salary:

Flexible FTE with .8 FTE or more preferred. Salary is commensurate with salary paid by Oregon legal services programs, which depends on experience. As an example, a successful, bilingual candidate with 0-5 years of experience working full time would expect to make $43,100 to $50,100 a year, but applicants with more experience are encouraged to apply and would be paid according to experience.

NWJP offers a medical, vision and dental plan that is covered 100% for employees and offers a small contribution to child coverage. NWJP has a flexible work schedule, although this position will be asked to participate in meetings during regular office hours. NWJP provides paid vacation, sick days and holidays.