Who We Are

The Capital Area Immigrants’ Rights (CAIR) Coalition is now Amica Center for Immigrant Rights (“Amica Center” for short). Click here to learn more about our new name. Since our founding in 1999, we have grown significantly and added new services to support immigrants in detention. Recently, Amica Center has outgrown our name, expanding beyond our initial services and geographic boundaries.

“Amica” is the Latin word for “friend,” and that echoes the way we approach what we do. Just as friends stand with one another, Amica Center stands with our clients to achieve the safety, stability, and opportunity we all deserve.

We are the only non-profit organization in the Washington, D.C. area that is exclusively focused on providing legal assistance to adult and child immigrants detained by the government in the Capital Region and beyond.

Our Work Environment

Amica Center’s Pro Bono Program team is small but collegial, and we enjoy a highly collaborative work environment with our colleagues throughout the organization. We regularly engage in cross-program collaboration with Amica Center’s three legal programs: the Detained Adult Program, the Children’s Program, and the Immigration Impact Lab. We also work closely with our Volunteer Program and our Communications and Development teams.

Position Summary

The Pro Bono Program Paralegal is a highly organized and proactive individual who will join the Pro Bono team and provide support with administrative duties to ensure that we optimize case placements with pro bono attorneys and maintain accurate records on all Pro Bono Program activities. This is a part-time, temporary position with the possibility of becoming permanent.

General Duties and Responsibilities [1]

Program Administration

• Complete administrative or data-entry tasks related to Pro Bono Program activity. Examples include (1) case recordkeeping in the LegalServer data management platform and Excel spreadsheets, (2) tracking program activities such as trainings and presentations, (3) maintaining records relating to our relationships with law firms, pro bono attorneys, and other nonprofit immigration legal services providers.
• Work externally with pro bono partners and internally with Amica Center staff to gather and analyze information on the impact of the pro bono program during various time periods.
• Provide support for meetings or events, including external presentations or trainings.
• Redact briefs and other resources for sharing with pro bono teams.
• This list is illustrative and not intended to be a complete classification of all job functions or tasks.

Additional Role-Specific Details:

Position Type

Part-time, non-exempt. The candidate can expect to work up to 20 hours per week up to five months. Extension beyond this period is not guaranteed and will be contingent upon ongoing Pro Bono Program needs, available funding, and/or strong performance.

Reports To

Managing Attorney, Pro Bono Program

Supervisory Responsibility

None

Hiring Timeline

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position has been filled. Amica Center is planning to start initial interviews in March 2026.

Salary [2]

Hourly rate of $35.00

[2] In 2018 Amica Center implemented a compensation framework to be more straightforward, transparent, and provide assurance of internal equity. The compensation model we use is based on an individual's position and years of relevant work experience to avoid salary discrepancies and to reduce the risk of racial, gender, or other forms of bias affecting a candidate's salary.

Location and/or Travel Requirements

Washington, DC

This position will be based in Amica Center’s Washington, D.C. office. Due to business related travel expectations, it is recommended candidates live within 30-miles of their assigned primary office.

Telework

Amica Center operates a hybrid work environment where staff are required to work at least one day per week in-office, but some roles require more office/on-site attendance or travel.

COVID-19 Vaccination:

All employees are required to be fully vaccinated and boosted against COVID-19. To be fully vaccinated means having completed the full dosages required for the type of vaccine obtained as designated by the CDC. If boosters are subsequently recommended by the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) then employees will be required to receive the booster within thirty (30) days of their eligibility to access the boosters.

Benefits

Amica Center’s benefits package includes:

• Free gym access located in Washington, D.C (dependent on employee’s primary office)
• Flexible working hours after successful completion of trainings and with approval of supervisor
• Pre-tax commuter benefits for those living in the DMV
• Eligibility for data reimbursement payments totaling: $300 on an annual basis

Paid time off includes:

• 69 hours of personal time off
• 1.38 hours of sick time accrued every two weeks
• 3 hours of volunteer time off
• Federal holidays

Competencies Required:

• Adaptability and Flexibility: Adjusting to changing Pro Bono Program needs and priorities rapidly, and evolving responsibilities.
• Communication: Strong verbal and written communication skills for collaborating with colleagues and coordinating externally with attorneys and staff at our pro bono partner organizations.
• Organization and Attention to Detail: Ability to manage multiple tasks. Able to work independently.

Qualifications Required:

• Experience with the LegalServer data management platform is strongly preferred
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail
• Excellent communication skills
• Self-starter attitude and proactive problem-solving skills
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team
• Willingness to perform administrative work, such as tracking and analyzing pro bono cases or hours, that advances the mission of the organization
• Experience with a variety of technology platforms and tools -- including the Microsoft Office suite (SharePoint/OneDrive, Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams, Word), Foxit (or similar pdf editing and redacting platforms), Canva, and Notion.
• Demonstrated ability to stay calm, professional, and supportive while handling multiple tasks
• Strong interpersonal skills and emotional intelligence
• Flexibility in scheduling
• Preferred: One year of working experience as a paralegal, legal program assistant, or in a similar position.

At Amica Center, we embrace the fact that talented individuals come from diverse backgrounds and life experiences. We believe that diversity in all dimensions of the organization supports and bolsters the innovative thinking essential to our success. Amica Center values your unique perspectives, skills, and potential, and we are committed to providing equal opportunities for growth and development. If you are passionate about Amica Center's mission and are excited to contribute your talents to our team, we encourage you to submit your application. Candidates from traditionally underrepresented groups are strongly encouraged to apply. If you are a candidate with a disability and require accommodations to apply for this position, please contact us at HR@amicacenter.org.

EEO Statement

Amica Center for Immigrants’ Rights is an equal opportunity employer. In accordance with anti-discrimination law, this policy's purpose is to effectuate these principles and mandates. Amica Center prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type and affords equal employment opportunities to employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. Amica Center conforms to the spirit as well as to the letter of all applicable laws and regulations.

Our Anti-Racism Statement:

https://amicacenter.org/becoming-anti-racist/

How to Apply:

Submit your resume, a cover letter that explains your interest in this role, and a writing sample with your Paylocity application. Please refrain from sending application materials separately via email.

Competencies Required:

• Adaptability and Flexibility: Adjusting to changing Pro Bono Program needs and priorities rapidly, and evolving responsibilities.
• Communication: Strong verbal and written communication skills for collaborating with colleagues and coordinating externally with attorneys and staff at our pro bono partner organizations.
• Organization and Attention to Detail: Ability to manage multiple tasks. Able to work independently.

Qualifications Required:

• Experience with the LegalServer data management platform is strongly preferred.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail
• Excellent communication skills
• Self-starter attitude and proactive problem-solving skills
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team
• Willingness to perform administrative work, such as tracking and analyzing pro bono cases or hours, that advances the mission of the organization
• Experience with a variety of technology platforms and tools -- including the Microsoft Office suite (SharePoint/OneDrive, Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams, Word), Foxit (or similar pdf editing and redacting platforms), Canva, and Notion.
• Demonstrated ability to stay calm, professional, and supportive while handling multiple tasks
• Strong interpersonal skills and emotional intelligence
• Flexibility in scheduling
• Preferred: One year of working experience as a paralegal, legal program assistant, or in a similar position.