Work With Us

Our staff is committed to empowering our community and we work as a team to embrace all others with positive and dedicated service. Join our efforts— consider available job, internship, volunteer, and pro bono opportunities.

Jobs

CARECEN is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Qualified applicants are considered for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, disability, or veteran status.

Staff Attorney

The Central American Resource Center (CARECEN) Legal Services Department seeks an attorney to work on direct legal assistance, public education, and pro bono recruitment in the area of immigration and community legal services.

CARECEN was established in 1981 to protect the rights of refugees from conflict in Central America and provide direct legal services that would ease their transition. Over time the organization has evolved and grown with the population into broader areas of community service and economic development, establishing itself as a strong advocate on critical policy issues related to immigration, housing, and civil rights. CARECEN’s programs are available to low- and moderate-income Latinos in the Washington Metropolitan area. CARECEN serves individuals through direct legal, housing, citizenship and community support services and engages in broader community outreach and education.

Position Overview: CARECEN is looking for a dynamic attorney experienced in the area of immigration law and community advocacy to work under the supervision of the Legal Services Director to provide direct immigration-related Legal Services and community outreach by:

Providing direct legal assistance to clients primarily in matters of Immigration Law. These legal services include direct legal interviews of clients, conducting intake on a weekly basis, and maintaining own caseload.
Recruiting and supervising law students and volunteers at Citizenship and Deferred Action workshops.
Offering educational workshops in relevant areas of immigration law and other issues of interest to our community and engaging in public speaking opportunities held in collaboration with churches, educational institutions, partner organizations and neighborhood associations for the community.
Participating in coalition and stakeholder meetings related to immigration issues, policy directives, and regulations.
Assisting in development of CARECEN’s pro bono legal program, including working with established contacts and recruitment of pro bono attorneys.

Candidate Qualifications:

1-3 years of experience in immigration law and immigrant rights
Spanish Fluency
Excellent oral and written communication skills
Experience in community outreach (preferred)
Excellent organizational and team-building skills
Demonstrated commitment to social justice and ability to sensitively relate to and work with low-income immigrant clients, grassroots groups and community-based organizations
Must have strong interest in trial advocacy and complex legal issues
Must be passionate and creative in resolving client legal issues, through collaboration with organizations, social workers, foreign consulates, and other entities
Ability to work under pressure and to handle multiple and changing priorities and tasks
Must be able to work some evenings and weekends
Admitted to practice law in any state Bar or the Washington, D.C. Bar.

Compensation

Salary is commensurate with experience and qualifications, between $70-$75k. Competitive benefits package includes paid medical insurance and generous vacation, holidays and personal/sick-leave.

Application Process:

Applicants with professional, volunteer, and/or personal ties to the low-income immigrant communities in the metropolitan Washington, DC area are encouraged to apply. Those interested should send a resume, cover letter, and writing sample by April 30, 2023 to Genevieve Augustin, Central American Resource Center via e-mail at legal@carecendc.org.

Remote Staff Attorney

The Central American Resource Center (CARECEN) Legal Services Department seeks a remote attorney to work on direct legal assistance, public education, and pro bono recruitment in the area of immigration and community legal services.

CARECEN was established in 1981 to protect the rights of refugees from conflict in Central America and provide direct legal services that would ease their transition. Over time the organization has evolved and grown with the population into broader areas of community service and economic development, establishing itself as a strong advocate on critical policy issues related to immigration, housing, and civil rights. CARECEN’s programs are available to low- and moderate-income Latinos in the Washington Metropolitan area. CARECEN serves individuals through direct legal, housing, citizenship and community support services and engages in broader community outreach and education.

Position Overview: CARECEN is looking for a dynamic attorney experienced in the area of immigration law and community advocacy to work under the supervision of the Legal Services Director to provide direct immigration-related Legal Services and community outreach by:

Providing direct legal assistance to clients primarily in matters of Immigration Law. These legal services include direct legal interviews of clients, conducting intake, and maintaining own caseload.
Recruiting and supervising law students and volunteers at Citizenship and Deferred Action workshops.
Offering educational workshops in relevant areas of immigration law and other issues of interest to our community and engaging in public speaking opportunities held in collaboration with churches, educational institutions, partner organizations and neighborhood associations for the community.
Participating in coalition and stakeholder meetings related to immigration issues, policy directives, and regulations.
Assisting in development of CARECEN’s pro bono legal program, including working with established contacts and recruitment of pro bono attorneys.
The position is largely remote; only occasional office visits will be requested by management for special events, but the attorney must be available to meet clients as needed in the location of their choice to carry out their duties.

Candidate Qualifications:

3+ years of experience in immigration law and immigrant rights
Spanish Fluency
Excellent oral and written communication skills
Experience in community outreach (preferred)
Excellent organizational and team-building skills
Demonstrated commitment to social justice and ability to sensitively relate to and work with low-income immigrant clients, grassroots groups and community-based organizations
Must have strong interest in trial advocacy and complex legal issues
Must be passionate and creative in resolving client legal issues, through collaboration with organizations, social workers, foreign consulates, and other entities
Ability to work under pressure and to handle multiple and changing priorities and tasks
Must be able to work some evenings and weekends
Admitted to practice law in any state Bar or the Washington, D.C. Bar.

Compensation

Salary is commensurate with experience and qualifications, between $60-$70k. Competitive benefits package includes paid medical insurance and generous vacation, holidays and personal/sick-leave.

Application Process:

Applicants with professional, volunteer, and/or personal ties to the low-income immigrant communities in the metropolitan Washington, DC area are encouraged to apply. Those interested should send a resume, cover letter, and writing sample by April 30, 2023 to Genevieve Augustin, Central American Resource Center via e-mail at legal@carecendc.org.

Immigration Paralegal

Since 1981, the Central American Resource Center (CARECEN) has fostered the comprehensive development of the Latino/a/x population in the Washington metropolitan region by providing direct legal services, housing counseling, citizenship education, and community economic development, while promoting grassroots empowerment, civic participation, and human rights advocacy.

CARECEN’s Legal Services Program provides low-income immigrants and Latino/as in the Washington metropolitan area with affordable, high-quality immigration law assessment and representation in a wide variety of legal matters, including family-based petitions for adjustment of status and consular processing, citizenship and naturalization, humanitarian relief such as U (visa) nonimmigrant status, green card and work permit renewals for asylum, Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), Temporary Protected Status (TPS), and others. Additionally, CARECEN provides general immigration consultations on a regular basis. This is a full-time position under the supervision of CARECEN’s Director of Legal Services.

Position Overview:

CARECEN seeks an experienced Immigration Paralegal to support CARECEN’s Legal Services Program and assist clients with immigration law-related matters. The Immigration Paralegal’s essential duties include the following:

Conduct in depth consultations and screenings with clients to assess their situation and needs
Prepare immigration applications for relief under the supervision of the Director of Legal Services
Investigate facts and law of case to determine causes of action/defenses and prepare cases accordingly
Provide referrals to other service providers as needed
Manage cases in accordance with the case management policies of the Legal Department
Follow up with clients regarding client progress toward legal goals
Recommend and implement strategies to persuade clients to participate fully in their own legal process
Interpretation for clients at interviews with the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS)
Translate document as needed for clients
Draft letters to clients and agencies
Assist with drafting and editing correspondence to clients and other documents
Assist with financial matters including processing client invoices, accounts, and financial reports
Contribute to the recruiting, supervision, and oversight of student interns and volunteers
Conduct presentations and trainings to community and other organizations to promote the mission of the agency
Assist in organizing, coordinating and conducting immigration/asylum/citizenship workshops throughout the year in partnership with other organizations, schools and community groups in the metro area
Other duties as assigned

Candidate Qualifications:

Bachelor’s degree preferred.
Candidates who have completed an Associate degree, paralegal training, or professional certificate, or have an equivalent combination of training and experience related to the duties of the position are encouraged to apply.
Minimum of 3 years of experience in immigration legal services; must have experience preparing asylum or VAWA applications.
Written and verbal fluency in Spanish and English is required. In addition, conversational ability in Amharic, French, or Chinese is a plus.
Ability to draft, edit, and translate documents from Spanish to English and vice versa.
Experience serving as a Spanish-English interpreter is a plus.
Exhibit patience and support clients with low-literacy, developmental disabilities, and/or native speakers of languages other than English and Spanish. Engage Language Line, as appropriate.
Awareness and sensitivity of the challenges involved in working with limited-English proficient clients.
Ability to work on multiple projects at the same time and meet deadlines is required.
Maintain a high level of attention to detail.

Please Note: There is an occasional need to work on weeknights and weekends for outreach activities and to conduct workshops.

Compensation:

Salary is $50,000 – 58,000, commensurate with experience. Benefits package includes paid medical and life insurance and generous vacation, holidays and personal/sick leave.

To Apply:

Applicants with professional, volunteer, and/or personal ties to the immigrant and Latino/a communities in the Washington, DC metropolitan area are encouraged to apply.

Those interested should e-mail a cover letter, resume, and list of three professional references to legal@carecendc.org. Please include in the subject line: Immigration Paralegal.

No phone calls please. Applicants are encouraged to apply by April 30, 2023 but all applications will be considered on a rolling basis until the position is filled. Only applicants selected for interviews will be contacted.

Internships

Open to undergraduates, recent graduates, or law students who have an interest in community development and public policy affecting immigrants and have a strong commitment to immigrants’ rights and advancing social justice. Internships at CARECEN are unpaid. However, we are willing to work with your school if you are looking to earn course credit through the internship.

Session	Start Month	Application Deadline
Spring Semester	January	November 15
Summer	June	March 30
Fall Semester	September	June 30

Internships are available in the following areas:

Communications

CARECEN seeks an intern to assist with communications. This internship is a wonderful opportunity to learn while helping CARECEN create and maintain a more professional look for our website, publications and outreach materials, better document activities and media coverage and improve our on-line donation capabilities. To that end the intern should have some experience in evaluating the current status of web usage and production, making critical analysis and suggestions, and finding ways to develop and improve the website and outreach materials.

Duties

Assist staff with media outreach for specific events.
Keep track and document radio, TV and print media coverage of CARECEN activities, events or accomplishments and update the media list as needed.
Work with staff to complete monthly e-newsletter.
Design and distribute email blasts with action alerts to our community
Update website regularly.
Update CARECEN’s Facebook and other social media pages as needed with current issues and relevant news.
Participate in meetings with the service and advocacy teams as needed.
Work with staff to help consolidate information for CARECEN’s annual report or other publications such as brochures, fact sheets, etc.
Help design flyers for CARECEN’s programs and events.
Contribute by developing new and innovative ideas for communications.

Requirements

Strong writing skills.
Consistency, attention to detail.
Good interpersonal and communications skills.
Ability to carry out research independently.
Capacity to organize and summarize information.
Ability to meet deadlines.
Desktop publishing, HTML, and related computer skills.
Graphic design experience is a plus.

Intern will work 15 hours a week, with a schedule determined in consultation with CARECEN.

Desirable: Spanish preferred but not required.

To apply, please reach out to admin@carecendc.org .

Please indicate you are interested in the Communications internship, share your resume, and explain your interest in working with us in this role.

Fundraising

CARECEN seeks an intern to assist with fundraising. This internship represents an opportunity to gain hands-on experience in the field of development at a community-based organization focused on immigrant rights, affordable housing, and citizenship. The intern will also gain exposure to advocacy and organizing and become familiarized with emerging policy issues as they affect the Latino community.

Duties

Research funding prospects relevant to CARECEN programs and activities, including direct legal services, housing counseling, and citizenship.
Update the donor database, working closely with the Director of Operations.
Help consolidate essential information on the history of giving at CARECEN, to include a compilation of key grants and contracts over the last decade.
Help with administration, organization, and filing of grant proposals, reports, and contract information, so as to maintain historical and current records of all proposals submitted.
Participate in monthly planning meetings with the Fundraising team.
Assist with the organization of small fundraising events and a larger annual fundraising event.
Help represent the organization together with staff at meetings, events and other outreach opportunities in order to increase visibility for CARECEN.
Contribute by developing new and innovative ideas for raising funds and maintaining relationships with current donors, including the design of effective fundraising-related communications strategies.

Benefits

Work as part of a small and closely coordinated team to increase fundraising yields at CARECEN and help the organization grow and sustain programs.
Learn about fundraising for community-based nonprofit organizations, with specific reference to working with the Latino immigrant community.
Gain exposure to fundraising for advocacy and direct services organizations.
Participate in staff meetings to understand the planning process at CARECEN.
Join a diverse, bilingual, and highly collegial institutional setting.

Requirements

Consistency, attention to detail.
Good interpersonal and communications skills.
Ability to carry out research independently.
Capacity to organize and summarize information.

Intern will work 15 hours a week, with a schedule determined in consultation with CARECEN.

Desirable: Spanish helpful but not required.

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To apply, please reach out to admin@carecendc.org .

Please indicate you are interested in the Fundraising internship, share your resume, and explain your interest in working with us in this role.

Citizenship and Civic Engagement

The CARECEN Citizenship program works to empower the Central American and Latino community of the Washington metropolitan area by providing educational programs and engaging the community in advocacy campaigns, among other activities. In line with CARECEN’s overall mission, this program strives to respond to the changing needs of the Latino population and assist members in developing roots in their new communities. CARECEN’s citizenship intern will work under the supervision of the Director of Education and Advocacy.

Duties

Work with program staff to coordinate program activities such as youth projects, voter registration drives, immigration reform campaigns, and legislative activities.
Monitor voting records on immigration-related bills for members of Congress, specifically State Representatives in Virginia and Maryland.
Assist in the coordination and instruction of citizenship classes as well as follow-up with citizenship applicants, including data entry and case management.
Prepare citizenship applicant for their citizenship interview by administering a mock citizenship interview or tutor as needed.
Serve as an interpreter during naturalization interviews.
Conduct various outreach activities such as participating in community events to provide information about CARECEN’s citizenship activities, and promote our services to community members.
Assist in the creation of publications: flyers, brochures, student handouts (English and Spanish).
Help represent the organization together with staff at meetings, events and other outreach opportunities in order to increase visibility for CARECEN.
Assisting with other duties as assigned by the supervisor.

Requirements

Commitment to serving the low-income Central American/Latino Immigrant community.
Ability to carry out research independently.
Strong written and verbal communication skills, with English/ Spanish bilingual ability highly preferred.
Interest in adult education, the legislative process and community organizing.

Intern will work 15 hours a week, with a schedule determined in consultation with CARECEN, including some Saturdays and possibly a weekday evening. Good writing and communication in Spanish is required.

To apply, please reach out to Geneviene Agustin at legal@carecendc.org.

Please indicate you are interested in the Citizenship and Civic Engagement internship, share your resume, and explain your interest in working with us in this role.

Legal

The Central American Resource Center (CARECEN) is a non-profit community-based organization, which operates legal, social service, educational, housing, and civic education programs for the Central American and other Latino communities in the Washington metropolitan area.

CARECEN’s immigration legal services program provides low-income Latino immigrants in the Washington metropolitan area with low or no cost, high-quality legal assistance in a variety of immigration matters, including asylum, U-visas, NACARA, citizenship, permanent residence, family-based petitions, temporary protected status, and renewal of work authorization documents, and most recently, Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA). Additionally, CARECEN provides general immigration consultations three times a week and by appointment.

Interns with CARECEN’s legal department will assist legal providers with various legal services including client intakes, preparation of immigration applications, drafting of briefs and legal memorandum, translations, and client interviews. Interns will also assist in organizing and hosting community forums and workshops to educate the community about their legal rights, apply for citizenship, etc. Interns may carry their own caseload and work under the supervision of CARECEN’s Legal Director.

Compensation

Internships at CARECEN are unpaid; however, we are willing to help facilitate your receiving course credit if your school offers this form of compensation.

Requirements

Applicants must have a strong academic background, commitment to public interest law, and be competent in both English and Spanish.
Experience working in immigration law and/or immigrants’ rights is a plus.
Ability to relate to and work with low-income clients, grassroots groups and community-based organizations; Experience working with low-income immigrant communities is a plus.
Be available to come into the office two full days during the week for six to eight weeks during the summer.

To apply, please reach out to genevieve.augustin@carecendc.org .

Please indicate you are interested in the Legal internship, share your resume, and explain your interest in working with us in this role.

Bilingual Tenant Outreach and Counseling

CARECEN’s housing counseling program educates tenants about their rights, offers organizing and advocacy assistance to both individual tenants and groups of tenants, works in coalition with other community groups, and helps to resolve landlord-tenant problems such as lack of services or repairs, illegal rent increases, and harassment. The Tenant Organizer and the Housing Paralegal participate fully in all aspects of this work, as well as conduct broad scale organizing and negotiations, and participate in policy and litigation matters as appropriate. The Bilingual Tenant Counseling and Outreach Intern(s) work under the supervision of the Housing Coordinator and Housing Paralegal.

Duties

Assist in outreach and organizing tenants in ward 1, 2 and 4 and Prince George’s County; inform tenants of their rights, evaluate rental problems.
Handle a number of individual tenant cases and work with tenants on a one-on-one basis (or building wide as necessary) to find solutions for their housing problems. This may require some research and analysis of laws and rights of tenants in the following areas: illegal rent increases, search for available affordable units in the District, maintenance issues, request city housing inspection for individuals.
Assist in filing applications with the necessary governmental regulatory agencies that oversee housing laws such as OTA, DCRA or DHCD: elderly and disabled forms, proactive inspections, DCRA housing inspections (online or by phone).
Write letters to landlords requesting services or repairs on behalf of tenants.
Search for available and affordable units in the District (www.dchousingsearch.org)
Refer tenants to housing conditions court or to a DC Court attorney.
Provide information about pro bono housing attorneys.
Assist in compiling, entering and maintaining data related to individual cases and tenant associations.
Other duties as assigned.

Requirements

Bilingual, Spanish and English
Demonstrated commitment.
Good research skills.
Familiarity with housing issues a plus.
Total hours per week is somewhat flexible, but we’re looking for someone who would be available for 20 hours per week.
Available afternoons and some evenings.

To apply, please reach out to anabell.martinez@carecendc.org .

Please indicate you are interested in the Bilingual Tenant Outreach and Counseling internship, share your resume, and explain your interest in working with us in this role.

Podcast Production

CARECEN seeks an intern to assist the Radio CARECEN DC podcast team. The production intern will be responsible for writing scripts, identifying and working closely with talent, and managing shoots/interviews across time zones. The production intern will contribute as an editor, talent manager, writer, and project manager. The production intern will also pitch new show concepts that align with the culture and content of the organization.

Production

Prepare the set ahead of each recording, moving equipment, QC equipment/electronics, taking notes during each recording
Assist in audio recording during podcast sessions
Ensure all show and marketing assets are recorded during allotted shoot schedule
Help direct production days and provide constructive feedback and notes in real time

Scheduling

Effectively communicate with our producers to schedule recording times that work for production and talent
Organize show calendar with special notes on when hosts availability, holidays, and future dates that still need episodes
Making sure all office personnel are aware of any changes or special shootings in the space to avoid any potential conflicts

Talent Booking

Build robust database of relevant talent to book for future and upcoming shows
Work with Head of Talent to own talent booking process – reach out to potential guests and their reps for each of our shows

Research and Fact Checking

Conduct thorough research on the guests, material, and relevant events
Create thoughtful questions and show notes for our hosts
Adapt scripts to include updated current events and trends

Social Media

Assist in the promotion in social media platforms for use across digital channels (e.g. YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, etc)
Develop and execute creative campaigns to market shows across digital platforms, leaning into relevant trends

Creative

Work collaboratively with creative team to develop new show ideas
Contribute thoughtful ideas for social strategy, format changes, guest acquisition, and new shows

Requirements

Must be fluent in Spanish
Demonstrated production experience – recording and editing

Audacity software or higher

Knowledge of social media, and current events

This includes immigration-related news and preferably issues affecting Latin America and the Caribbean.

Ability to work in a high pressure, fast-paced production environment with quick turnarounds
Strong communication and writing skills
Ability to stay organized and effectively prioritize responsibilities
Intern will work an average of 5-8 hours a week, with a schedule determined in consultation with CARECEN.

To Apply: Applicants with professional, volunteer, and/or personal ties to the immigrant and Latino communities in the Washington, DC metropolitan area are encouraged to apply. Those interested should e-mail a cover letter, resume, and professional references to radiocarecen@carecendc.org. Please include in the subject line: Radio CARECEN DC Production Intern

Volunteer

We accept volunteers to help with administrative tasks as well as contribute to our housing and citizenship services.

We are looking for help in the following areas:

Teaching 15 week citizenship course
Mock citizenship interviews
Document translation (English/ Spanish)
Interpretation at naturalization interviews
Fundraising/ grant writing
Follow up phone calls/ surveys
Interpret at citizenship workshops

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Pro Bono Legal Services

We are looking for collaboration with pro bono attorneys to work on individual immigration cases and assist in other immigration-related work such as screenings for U-visa eligibility and Citizenship, and Brief Services.

Casework may range from asylum, U-visas, Cancellation of Removal, Applications for Citizenship, Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), and representation in immigration court.

Reach Out