Paralegal Casehandler, Emergency Response Team (ERT)

The Legal Aid Society • New York, NY

1d • $66,843 - $102,358 • Hybrid

About The Position

The City-wide Housing Practice at The Legal Aid Society is seeking a Paralegal Casehandler to join its Emergency Housing Response Teams in the Bronx Neighborhood Office. This role is crucial for assisting low-income families facing immediate eviction by providing legal and social services to prevent homelessness and stabilize families. The Paralegal Casehandlers will be integral members of the legal team operating in Housing Court.

Requirements

• A bachelor’s degree (strongly preferred)
• A paralegal certificate from an ABA accredited paralegal program
• At minimum a high school diploma / GED and 4+ years of legal work experience
• 4+ years of combined higher education and legal work experience
• Excellent written, oral advocacy, and computer skills
• Excellent organizational skills with ability to multi-task and manage a large workload
• Ability to work independently as well as in a team
• Ability to coordinate and collaborate successfully with other groups and organizations
• Commitment to advocacy on behalf of low-income people and immigrants
• Must be legally authorized to work in the United States for any employer without sponsorship for a work visa or permit.

Nice To Haves

• Proficiency in languages other than English is desirable, but not required
• Experience in and/or commitment to advocacy on behalf of low-income people and immigrants is strongly desired
• Experience assisting people in crisis is desirable

Responsibilities

• Provide direct assistance to clients in the benefits area
• Conduct intake/client interviews, provide advice and direct assistance, and assess requests for services
• Work with staff attorneys and supervising attorneys to resolve the benefits issues involved with housing practice cases
• Obtain rent arrears payments and other rental arrears relief
• Advocate with various agencies regarding government benefits
• Handle a high volume of individual cases and respond to the needs of community-based organizations
• Prepare motion documents including client affidavits
• Maintain case records
• Conduct virtual, courthouse-based, and off-site intake as needed, including during evening hours
• Off-site work and evening hours as needed
• Other duties as assigned

Benefits

• health insurance
• paid vacation
• disability
• life insurance
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)
• State and Federal loan forgiveness programs
• Assistance from New York state to assist with loan repayments (for NY residents, depending on years of practice)

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level