Background: Legal Aid of North Carolina is a statewide, nonprofit [501(c)(3)] law firm that provides free legal services in civil matters to those households whose income falls below 125% of the federal poverty guidelines. The Farmworker Unit serves eligible farmworkers who worked in North Carolina, a state that depends heavily upon farmworkers to cultivate and harvest tobacco, fruits, vegetables, and Christmas trees. Many workers live in labor camps and are dependent upon their employers not only for work and housing, but also for access to goods and services. Cases typically involve a failure to pay required wages, civil rights violations, substandard living and working conditions, unlawful recruitment practices, and cases involving claims of human trafficking and sexual assault. Unit attorneys frequently litigate in federal court, including some cases brought as collective actions on behalf of similarly situated persons. Unit attorneys also handle immigration cases, including applications for survivors of labor trafficking.
The Farmworker Unit’s office is centrally located in Raleigh, but staff and volunteers make regular visits to rural areas where farmworkers live and work. The Unit has four lawyers, three paralegals, and a community education coordinator. Unit staff work cooperatively with advocates in community-based organizations and other providers of legal services including farmworker advocates throughout the nation. For more information about the Unit and its work, see http://www.farmworkerlanc.org.
Responsibilities & Duties: Litigation support for cases, as a part of a team with attorneys and paralegals. Work independently to gather and synthesize documentary and testamentary proof for cases. Maintain records in the office case management system, and, under attorney supervision, interview clients. Lead an outreach team and conduct client education sessions. Limited evening or weekend work is required.
Qualifications: Required: fluency in written and oral English and Spanish; excellent analytical and organizational skills; good writing skills; excellent computer skills; and proven ability to learn quickly and relate well to people who are low-income or of different nationalities and cultures. Experience with migrant farmworkers or as a paralegal in the area of employment law or immigration law is preferred, but not required.
Salary & Employee Benefits: The starting salary for this position is $40,000 with additional credit given for relevant experience. Relaxed office atmosphere. Legal Aid of North Carolina provides excellent health, retirement, disability, and leave benefits. Employee medical, vision, dental, and life insurance premiums are covered at 100% by the employer. Discretionary 401(k) contributions. Paid leave includes 1.75 days per month (21 leave days in the first two years; 30 days in subsequent years), 12 paid holidays, 2 floating holidays, and other paid leave.
Application Deadline: Applications are accepted until the position is filled. Send cover letter, résumé and names/contact information for three references to the Human Resources Department at Jobs at legalaidnc.org and the Managing Attorney of Legal Aid of NC’s Farmworker Unit Caitlin Ryland at CaitlinR at legalaidnc.org.
Legal Aid of North Carolina is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. Selection will be based on merit and will be made without discrimination because of race, color, national origin, ancestry, ethnicity, citizenship, creed, sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, transgender status, age, religion, genetic information, mental disability, marital status, familial status, or any other legally protected status. Minorities, women, senior citizens, and persons with different abilities are highly encouraged to apply. We thrive when we are diverse.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: From $40,000.00 per year
Benefits:
401(k)
Dental insurance
Flexible spending account
Health insurance
Life insurance
Paid time off
Vision insurance
