Paralegal​/Intake Specialist

About NYLAG

Founded in 1990, NYLAG is a leading civil legal services organization combatting economic, racial, and social injustice by advocating for people experiencing poverty or in crisis. Our services include comprehensive, free civil legal services, financial empowerment, impact litigation, policy advocacy, and community partnerships. NYLAG exists because wealth should not determine who has access to justice. We aim to disrupt systemic racism by serving individuals and families whose legal and financial crises are often rooted in racial inequality.

NYLAG goes to where the need is, providing services in more than 150 community sites (e.g. courts, hospitals, libraries) and on our Mobile Legal Help Center. During COVID-19, most of our services were virtual to keep our community safe. NYLAG’s staff of over 400 impacted the lives of nearly 129,000 people last year.

NYLAG seeks a highly motivated, full‑time, permanent paralegal/intake specialist to serve as the point person for all referrals, both external and internal, coming into the Immigrant Protection Unit (IPU). Under the supervision of a Supervising Attorney and Supervising Paralegal, the intake specialist will field referrals from other units and partners; conduct comprehensive intakes for clients; contact individuals who are eligible for assistance;

make appointments; gather documents; support preparation of affirmative applications for immigration status and relief; track and collect data. Applicants must be prepared to learn about IPU’s grants and eligible provision of services, handle a high volume of correspondence, and interact with clients and partners in a trauma‑informed and professional manner.

• Field referrals from external partners and other internal units at NYLAG for immigration‑related matters.
• Maintain unit’s intake hotline and email inbox, and assist with clearing and returning calls and emails received.
• Prioritize referrals, organize and conduct weekly triage meetings with IPU’s supervisory team for case discussion and assignment.
• Conduct pre‑screening of clients for basic eligibility requirements, track contacts made, follow‑up and collect documents.
• Screen clients for eligibility for immigration relief and complete necessary data entry for referrals.
• Assist clients to obtain the documents necessary to apply for relief, fill out appropriate forms to be submitted to USCIS and other agencies, and follow up with clients via phone, mail and email.
• Coordinate consultation days, making appointments for clients and managing clinic and staff schedules.
• Attend pro‑bono, internal and community clinics under the supervision of an attorney and ensure client attendance.
• Manage data entry in internal and external data management systems and assist with generating reports.
• Provide internal referrals for financial counseling and other wraparound services, and external referrals to partner organizations.
• Maintain regular contact with partner organizations.
• Any other job duties as required.

• Bachelor’s Degree required.
• Fluency in Spanish is required.
• 1‑2 years of immigration experience preferred, but not required.
• Ability to work collaboratively, communicate effectively, manage multiple tasks and creatively problem solve.
• Experience working with immigrant communities of color, including LGBTQIA+, youth, and survivors of violence.
• Excellent written, oral and analytical skills.
• Excellent time and project management skills.
• Commitment to social justice and anti‑racism.

NYLAG is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. People of color, women, people with disabilities, immigrants, veterans, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer people, and those with lived experiences in the communities we serve are strongly encouraged to apply.

Full‑time

Entry Level

NYLAG is a unionized workplace, and salaries are set pursuant to a collective bargaining agreement. The current salary range for this position is between $65,500—$69,992, increasing to between $67,793 and $72,442 effective July 1, 2026.

Medical, dental, vision, 401k, life insurance, long term disability, commuter benefits, flexible spending accounts (FSA) for Medical and Dependent care.

Please save resume and cover letter on one pdf.

NYLAG is committed to a hybrid work policy for staff whose work does not require their full‑time presence in the office. NYLAG’s current policy is that most staff are required to work in NYLAG’s offices or do other in‑person work at least two days each week. This policy is subject to change.