12-Month Intake Specialist

New Mexico Immigrant Law Center (NMILC) is seeking a 12-Month Bilingual Intake Specialist 

NMILC is a social justice organization whose mission is to advance equity and justice by empowering low-income immigrant communities through collaborative legal services, advocacy, and education. Each year we provide direct legal representation and assistance in immigration matters to thousands of immigrants and advocate for laws and policies that respect the rights of immigrants. NMILC’s model focuses on establishing relationships with local, state and national organizations and governmental institutions to expand access to legal services for historically marginalized immigrant communities.

Job Summary: The Intake Specialist serves immigrants residing in New Mexico by providing screening, information, and referrals to callers, by working directly with immigrant clients to prepare their immigration cases, by assisting legal representatives in case preparation, and by supporting the administrative functions of a busy non-profit organization. Applicants for this position must be able to handle a fast-paced, dynamic work environment and be able to work closely with other staff members and volunteers who provide back-up support.   This position is meant for an individual who is organized and detail-oriented, who is compassionate and patient, and who enjoys working directly with clients.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Provide initial screening, information and referrals to immigrants in need of assistance (phone and in-person)
• Gather information and data to verify eligibility for services, summarize prospective client’s legal problems, and document requests for services.
• Apply NMILC eligibility guidelines, priorities, and current case acceptance availability to evaluate what level of assistance can be offered.
• Work directly with immigrant clients and NMILC’s legal representatives to prepare immigration cases.
• Enter required client data in our case management system (Legal Server).
• Perform legal program administrative tasks to support the efficiency of a vibrant non-profit, including:
  • Provide support services to staff including logging incoming client mail, sending packets when requested, and returning calls from clients under supervision.
  • Provide support to the reception desk through answering phone call, greeting guests, and maintaining a welcoming environment.
• Ensure consistent, accurate, and timely file maintenance and data entry into our cases management system and follow NMILC case management protocols in compliance with best practices/legal ethical standards and ensure programmatic compliance with grant requirements, allocation and reporting.
• Ensure all Time and Attendance Reports are accurate, adhere to program and grant funding guidelines, and timely completed.
• Data entry as assigned. 
• Performing administrative duties as needed. 
• Other duties as assigned.

  Qualifications:

• Must be Bilingual (Spanish and English) and have excellent written and oral communication skills in both languages.
• Strong interviewing skills and desire to interact with many people on a daily basis.
• Understanding and familiarity with immigration law and processes is a plus.
• Experience with VOIP phone systems and call handling in a high-volume environment is a plus.
• Ability to increase efficiencies in individual work and team processes.
• Ability to prioritize workload to manage time, tasks, and meet deadlines in a dynamic environment.
• Excellent client centered customer service skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Commitment to working in a diverse environment.
• Ability to work independently as well as in a team environment.
• Must be resilient and patient with a high level of personal integrity.
• Strong interpersonal skills interfacing with clients and staff.
• Must be detailed oriented, able to efficiently manage multiple tasks, work well under stress, and anticipate quickly changing needs.
• Demonstrated commitment to immigrant rights and willingness to support NMILC’s mission, vision and values, which can be found at nmilc.org/our-mission

Compensation and Benefits

• Starting Rate: $21.50/hour (full-time, non-exempt), with upward adjustments for additional relevant experience.
• Health Insurance: 100% of individual employee premium paid (base plan); 50% for dependents. Buy-up plan available.
• Retirement: Access to 401K plan with discretionary employer match up to 10% of base salary (based on annual funding projections).
• Flexible Spending Account: Optional for medical/dependent care costs.
• Work/Life Balance:
  • Flexible schedule and hybrid remote work options. This position requires regular in-person work at NMILC’s Las Cruces office to support office coverage, client services, and day-to-day operations.
  • 15 paid vacation days (3 weeks) annually.
  • 1 earned sick leave hour per 30 hours worked.
  • Company-paid federal holidays plus 2 weeks winter break, 1 week spring break, 1 week summer break, and additional days aligned with local public-school schedules.

NMILC is committed to fostering a positive work/life balance, recognizing that supporting staff well-being enables the best service to our communities.