Paralegal II

$60,632 - $67,600/Yr

Catholic Community Services - Seattle, WA

Full-time - Mid Level

Seattle, WA

Ambulatory Health Care Services

About the position

The Tenant Law Center (TLC) is a homelessness prevention program that provides free legal assistance to qualifying low-income households in Seattle and limited services throughout King County. The program focuses on issues related to eviction, subsidy termination, landlord/tenant disputes, and credit issues stemming from past tenancies. The Paralegal II position is a full-time role that offers bilingual support (Spanish/English) to four Staff Attorneys and the Directing Attorney. This role is crucial in ensuring that clients receive the necessary legal assistance and support they need to navigate complex legal situations. In this position, the paralegal will conduct case screenings, assist with initial client intakes and interviews, and provide comprehensive case support. Responsibilities include preparing and editing legal documents, electronically filing pleadings with the court, and maintaining communication with clients through a live tenant hotline. The paralegal will also handle administrative tasks such as scheduling appointments, maintaining filing systems, and ensuring compliance with confidentiality and client privacy guidelines. The role requires a commitment to fostering a positive, team-oriented work environment and supporting the mission and values of Catholic Community Services. The ideal candidate will have a strong desire to make a positive impact in the community, be motivated by clients' stories of injustice, and possess the ability to work collaboratively in a team setting. This position is designed for individuals who are passionate about advocating for social justice and are eager to contribute to a safe and inclusive workplace.

Responsibilities

• Conduct case screening and assist with initial client intakes and interviews.
• Provide case support, including records requests, correspondence, document preparation, redaction, calendaring, and other tasks as assigned.
• Prepare and edit correspondence, legal pleadings, and case documents as directed by an attorney.
• Electronically file pleadings with the court and serve documents to other parties.
• Work 3-6 hours per week on our live tenant hotline in both English and Spanish.
• Respond to voicemails, emails, and text messages from Spanish-speaking tenants.
• Assist with Spanish/English translation and interpretation.
• Schedule appointments and maintain calendar for off-site or virtual clinics.
• Maintain electronic and manual filing systems.
• Attend staff meetings and agency trainings as required.
• Comply with applicable confidentiality and client privacy guidelines.
• Ensure client records are kept in accordance with agency and program standards.
• Work with attorneys to identify program needs and potential solutions.
• Develop and support a positive, team-oriented work environment.
• Perform other job-related duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Two years' experience working with low-income and/or unhoused families, or a combination of education, training, or experience which provides an equivalent background.
• Social services experience working with elderly, disabled, and/or low-income households.
• Excellent computer skills, including Microsoft 365 applications.
• Excellent written and oral communication in Spanish and English.
• Capacity to analyze and apply legal principles to practical problems.
• Ability to manage and schedule responsibilities with minimal oversight.
• Commitment to embracing a team environment and the collaborative process.
• Demonstrate the necessary attitudes, knowledge, and skills to deliver culturally competent services and work effectively in multi-cultural situations.
• Commitment to working within the mission, goals, and values of Catholic Community Services.
• A desire to make a positive impact in our community.

Nice-to-haves

• Bachelor's degree with legal coursework or a paralegal certificate.
• Fluency in Spanish.
• Knowledge of local social services and other community resources.
• Experience with Legal Server or other legal case management database software.
• Demonstrated commitment to race equity work.
• Knowledge of the Residential Landlord Tenant Act.

Benefits

• Health savings account
• Paid holidays
• Disability insurance
• Health insurance
• Dental insurance
• Flexible spending account
• Paid time off
• Employee assistance program
• Vision insurance
• 403(b)
• Life insurance
• Paid sick time