Program Assistant, Affirmative Immigration Services

Position Title: Immigration Program Assistant

Organization: Jewish Family Service of San Diego

Department: Immigration Legal Services Department

Position Type: Full-Time (37.5+ hours/week), Non-Exempt

Work Setting: Hybrid

Reports To: Program Manager

Pay Range: $19-$20.53/hour

Total Compensation:  

In addition to standard pay, compensation for this position includes:

• Comprehensive, low-cost healthcare coverage for employees


• Generous employer 401(k) contributions


• Employer-covered life insurance

Time Away from Work:

Being able to take time away from work is critical in bringing your best self to work. Time off benefits for this position include:

• Paid vacation time and sick leave


• 15 paid holidays, including Federal and Jewish holidays (as long as the holiday lands on a normal scheduled work day), and floating holidays


• 2 Wellness Days to be taken any time during the year to support employees’ mental wellness

Position Overview:

JFS is looking for a compassionate, mission-driven individual to join the Affirmative Services (AS) team as the Program Assistant. In this role, you will use your organizational skills and office experience to make a meaningful difference in your community and help change lives across San Diego. The Program Assistant plays an integral role on the team and supports the entire agency by providing administrative support to caseworkers and attorneys. This position reports directly to the Program Manager and regularly assists the Supervising Immigration Advocate for the Affirmative Services Program.

The candidate should have experience and a strong desire to work in a fast paced, team environment and interact with clients, staff and guests professionally, with a focus on client centered services. This is an active position, working with many people across a large Division. The position requires advanced experience with Microsoft Office programs, specifically Excel, Word, and Outlook.

Responsibilities:

• Assist with office-related support and administrative tasks


• Schedule appointments for Affirmative Services Programming staff


• Manage online scheduling system for Affirmative Services Program


• Answer, refer and assist live calls on Immigration Phone Line and respond to messages in a timely manner


• Participate in community workshops, information sessions, and other outreach activities


• Provide a client-centered experience for all potential clients from the first call to when they meet with a caseworker


• Conduct immigration legal screenings (eligibility screening for services) for individuals and families referred to the JFS Immigration Department


• Support Intake Team with process of fielding a high volume of calls


• Support Immigration Legal Team with emergency response and follow-up


• Stay up to date on rapidly changing immigration laws and policies


• Comply with data and program reporting requirements


• Assist AS staff to prepare and mail immigration filings


• As the primary staff member charged with the day-to-day administrative tasks to support the AS program staff, be ready and willing to step in and assist the team as necessary. The ideal candidate is someone that can easily adapt to constant changes

Skills/Experience/Abilities That Are a Must-Have:

• Bilingual in English/Spanish required


• One year of prior relevant experience providing administrative support in an office setting


• Ability to prioritize, multi-task and organize in a fast paced and fluid environment


• Dedicated to providing client centered, high quality, legal assistance to low-income immigrant populations


• Proficient in Microsoft software including Excel, Word, Outlook, and Teams


• Detail oriented and self-directed with strong oral and written communication skills in English


• Experience working in cross-cultural settings


• Excellent interpersonal skills, including good communication skills, listening skills and attitude


• Demonstrated ability to take initiative and work under pressure


• Ability to work both independently and with a team


• Ability to work flexible hours, including some evenings and weekends


• Valid driver’s license, access to an automobile, insurance, and willingness to drive to offsite locations

Skills/Abilities We’d Like You to Have:

• Fluency in either Arabic, Haitian Creole, Russian, Persian, Pashto, or an East Asian language desired


• Experience working with immigrant populations and in multi-cultural settings


• Experience working with marginalized populations and survivors of trauma


• Familiar with concepts of trauma informed services

Important Notice:

Incomplete submissions will not be considered. Please, no phone calls. Please, principals only. Please, local candidates only (relocation is not provided).

About Jewish Family Service of San Diego
Jewish Family Service of San Diego is a client-centered, impact-driven organization working to build a stronger, more resilient community.  For over 100 years, Jewish Family Service has been a trusted resource for the entire community, offering an array of services that are always life-changing, and often life-saving.  At Jewish Family Service, we believe our employees are the backbone of our Agency.  We strive to ensure that each employee is treated with dignity and respect.  Our goal is your success.  Come work at JFS and be our partner in Moving Forward Together.  To learn more about JFS, please visit jfssd.org. 

*Jewish Family Service is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran or disability status.