Paralegal Casehandler, Housing Justice Tenant Defense

$57,687 - $83,218/Yr

Legal Aid Society

Full-time - Mid Level

Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations

About the position

The Legal Aid Society's Civil Practice is seeking a Paralegal Casehandler for the Bronx Housing Justice - Tenant Defense Unit. The Paralegal Casehandler plays a crucial role in assisting individuals and families facing imminent eviction by working on their own cases and collaborating with Housing Staff Attorneys to resolve various benefits and advocacy issues. This includes obtaining rent arrears and ongoing rental assistance through appropriate programs, agency advocacy, and representing clients at administrative hearings. The Paralegal Casehandler is also responsible for outreach and training for affected client communities and service providers, ensuring that those in need are informed and supported in their legal rights and options. In this position, the Paralegal Casehandler will conduct intake and client interviews, provide advice and direct assistance, and assess requests for services. They will represent clients at administrative hearings at the Human Resources Administration (HRA) or other appropriate forums, working closely with Staff Attorneys to resolve benefits issues related to housing practice cases. The role requires handling a high volume of individual cases while responding to the needs of community-based organizations. Additionally, the Paralegal Casehandler will prepare motion documents, including client affidavits, and conduct advocacy in eviction cases and termination hearings. They will also develop community education materials and conduct trainings for clients and other advocates, maintaining accurate case records throughout the process. The Paralegal Casehandler may need to conduct courthouse-based and offsite intake as needed, including during evening hours, and engage in policy advocacy on behalf of clients. This position is essential in ensuring that vulnerable populations receive the legal support they need to navigate the complexities of housing law and avoid eviction.

Responsibilities

• Conduct intake and client interviews, provide advice and direct assistance, and assess requests for services.
• Represent clients at administrative hearings at HRA or other appropriate forums.
• Work with Staff Attorneys to resolve benefits issues involved with housing practice cases.
• Obtain rent arrears and ongoing rental assistance through FHEPS and other programs.
• Handle a high volume of individual cases and respond to the needs of community-based organizations.
• Prepare motion documents including client affidavits.
• Conduct advocacy in eviction cases and termination hearings.
• Develop community education materials and conduct trainings for clients and other advocates.
• Maintain case records.
• Conduct courthouse-based and offsite intake as needed, including during evening hours.
• Conduct policy advocacy on behalf of clients.
• Other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in relevant field or paralegal certificate from an ABA-accredited paralegal program.
• 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.
• 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, but not required.
• Proficiency in languages other than English, especially Spanish, is desirable, but not required.

Nice-to-haves

• Proficiency in Spanish or other languages is desirable but not required.
• Experience assisting people in crisis is desirable but not required.

Benefits

• Disability insurance
• Health insurance
• Loan forgiveness
• Life insurance
• Paid vacation
• Generous benefits package including health insurance and life insurance.