Legal Assistant/ Screener

$40,533 - $58,666/Yr

Pisgah Legal Services - Asheville, NC

Full-time - Entry Level

Asheville, NC

101-250 employees

Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services

About the position

Pisgah Legal Services (PLS) is a community-based non-profit legal aid agency located in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Western North Carolina. The organization is dedicated to providing free civil legal assistance to low-income individuals in the region. With a team of over 120 dedicated staff, including more than 30 attorneys and an active group of 200 volunteer attorneys, PLS serves over 20,000 people annually, focusing on poverty law areas such as housing, public benefits, domestic violence prevention, health care, immigration, and consumer law. The Legal Assistant/Screener position is a full-time role primarily working within the Domestic and Sexual Violence Prevention Program (DSVPP) and the Community Economic Development Program (CED). The DSVPP team is committed to helping victims of domestic and sexual violence, child abuse, and hate crimes to escape their situations and live independently. The Legal Assistant/Screener will play a crucial role in identifying holistic services available to clients, including initial protection orders and family law remedies, as well as other supportive services. Candidates for this position should possess a passion for promoting justice and overcoming barriers faced by low-income individuals. They should be creative, zealous team players with a demonstrated commitment to achieving lasting results for clients and low-income communities. The role requires a strong commitment to the mission, values, and vision of PLS, as well as the ability to work effectively in a challenging environment.

Responsibilities

• Commitment to PLS' mission, values, and vision.
• Screen clients for eligibility.
• Prepare and edit legal documents.
• Conduct client interviews with a trauma-informed approach.
• Provide general administrative and legal assistance support to attorneys to assist in case development.
• Scheduling and meeting preparation.
• Travel within the PLS service area and to meetings or conferences in other parts of NC.
• Adhere to program priorities and case handling policies, procedures, and standards of practice, as well as the highest professional and ethical standards.
• English/Spanish interpreting and translating (if bilingual, not required).
• Work with volunteers and PLS Development Team.
• Meet with partner agencies and local community/agency advocates.

Requirements

• Passion for and commitment to PLS' mission, values, and vision.
• Associate degree/bachelor's degree preferred or equivalent experience.
• Demonstrated skills at socio-economic and cultural sensitivity and the ability to work with someone who is angry, upset, or ill.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with attention to detail.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work well with teams and independently.
• Basic computer skills with proficiency in Microsoft Word and Excel.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, vision, and life insurance coverage starting on the 1st of the month following the start date.
• 100% of Employee and 50% of Dependent Cost for BCBS Medical and Dental coverage paid by PLS.
• 50% of Employee Coverage Cost for BCBS Vision coverage paid by PLS.
• 100% of Long-Term & Short-Term Disability Coverage paid by PLS.
• Life Insurance Coverage of 5x base salary + an additional $15,000 Life & AD&D Coverage paid by PLS.
• 401k Retirement Plan after 6 months of employment.
• Pet Insurance.
• Paid Parental Leave.
• Paid Bereavement Leave.
• 13.5 Company Holidays.
• 22 Paid Leave Days.
• Paid Sabbatical Leave for eligible staff.
• Employee Assistance Program for entire household.
• A great working environment with work-life balance.