Legal Assistant for the Los Angeles County Detained Immigrant Defense Bar Panel, USC Gould Immigration Clinic

USC Gould School of Law is seeking applications for two Legal Assistants for the USC Gould School of Law Immigration Clinic. The Legal Assistant provides support to the newly established Los Angeles County Detained Immigrant Defense Bar Panel which is administered by the Gould Immigration Clinic. The Immigrant Defense Bar Panel was established by the Los Angeles County Office of Immigrant Affairs (OIA).

ATTENTION: This is a 1-year fixed-term, full-time, benefits-eligible position with the possibility of renewal contingent on funding. All candidates must submit a cover letter and resume in order to be considered for this position.

Duties include supporting the Project Director and Immigration Clinic supervising attorneys, conducting intake and follow-up interviews with detained prospective clients and family members (via in-person meetings and video or telephone calls), processing Bar Panel member applications, assessing cases for placement with Bar Panel members, case management and tracking, preparing reports, assisting with reviewing Bar Panel member invoices and payments.

Travel to ICE detention facilities in Southern California on a regular basis is necessary. Most in-person intake interviews will occur at ICE detention centers in Adelanto, CA, but travel to detention centers in Kern, Imperial, and San Diego counties may be needed on occasion.

The ideal candidate will have/demonstrate:

• excellent communication skills, written and verbal;

• ability to work independently with minimal supervision in a fast-paced environment;

• strong organizational skills to manage and prioritize multiple projects and case work;

• ability to interact and engage with wide range of persons from diverse ethnic, cultural, and educational backgrounds;

• ability to plan, organize and execute activities to meet project objectives;

• experience in providing leadership and direction for day-to-day project operations and administrative activities;

• proficient in Microsoft Office Suite, Google Suite, and data management systems;

• experience working on immigration issues;

• fluency in Spanish;

• valid driver’s license;

• ability to drive to ICE detention facilities in San Bernardino, Kern, Imperial, and San Diego counties. Driving distances are typically 2 – 4 hours one-way. (Mileage for use of personal car reimbursed; use of rental car also an option.);

• unexpired REAL ID Act compliant identity document needed to access ICE detention centers and pass through internal Border Patrol checkpoints;

• experience with immigration court proceedings (removal and bond) and habeas litigation would be helpful, but not required.

ATTENTION: This is a 1-year fixed-term, full-time, benefits-eligible position with the possibility of renewal contingent on funding. All candidates must submit a cover letter and resume in order to be considered for this position.

The hourly rate range for this position is $31.00 - $33.50. When extending an offer of employment, the University of Southern California considers factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the candidate’s work experience, education/training, key skills, internal peer equity, federal, state, and local laws, contractual stipulations, grant funding, as well as external market and organizational considerations.

Learn more about our benefits and perks here:

The Gould School of Law (Gould) considers candidates that demonstrate, through ideas, words and actions, a strong commitment to USC’s Unifying Values. Gould holds a unique position in society, and within the university, as every aspect of these principles are influenced by and can be protected through legal rules and institutions. At Gould, we are proudly committed to maintaining a community in which each person respects the rights of others to live, work, and learn in peace and dignity, to be proud of who and what they are, and to have equal opportunity to realize their full potential as individuals and members of society.

Minimum Education:
High school or equivalent

Additional Education Requirements
Combined experience/education as substitute for minimum education

Minimum Experience:
2 years

Addtional Experience Requirements
Combined experience/education as substitute for minimum work experience

Minimum Skills:
Legal secretarial experience/legal terminology/knowledge of court procedures.


Preferred Education:
Specialized/technical training

Preferred Experience:
3 years

USC is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law or USC policy. USC observes affirmative action obligations consistent with state and federal law. USC will consider for employment all qualified applicants with criminal records in a manner consistent with applicable laws and regulations, including the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for employers and the Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, and with due consideration for patient and student safety. Please refer to the Background Screening Policy Appendix D for specific employment screen implications for the position for which you are applying.

We provide reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. Applicants with questions about access or requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process should contact USC Human Resources by phone at (213) 821-8100, or by email at [email protected]. Inquiries will be treated as confidential to the extent permitted by law.

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