Homelessness Prevention Paralegals

Company: Legal Aid Society of Northeastern NY
Location: Albany
Posted on: May 28, 2023

Job Description:

The Legal Aid Society of Northeastern New York, a nonprofit civil legal services program, is seeking to hire paralegals to work with attorneys in our office located in Albany, New York to prevent homelessness and promote housing stability.Our mission is to fight for fairness, dignity, and justice for those living in poverty and for a society which is inclusive and equitable for all. We transform lives, build community, and empower people by using the law to address individual and systemic wrongs and inequities.We seek paralegals who will be dedicated to our mission and will seek justice and fairness for households at risk of homelessness. We are skilled, creative, and compassionate advocates combining a passion to serve with the skills and will to address both individual and systemic injustice. We take pride in providing holistic services to our clients with a wide range of programs and substantive law expertise and are stepping up to assist our communities in this time of crisis.We are an integral part of the legal and human service community and expect our staff to be deeply involved in the network of government, community members, housing and shelter providers and others dedicated to combatting and preventing homelessness at a time when housing is more important than ever.The positions are located in Albany, New York, a family friendly community, with a reasonable cost of living, excellent quality of life, and easy access to major metropolitan areas as well as year-round outdoor opportunities. Our office is collegial and supportive workplaces, encouraging and supporting staff development, and diversity, equity and inclusion.Responsibilities: The paralegals working alongside our attorneys will implement LASNNY's Homelessness Prevention program and a pilot Right to Counsel initiative in the City of Albany. The attorneys and paralegals will provide legal assistance to households who are at risk of homelessness by preventing evictions, securing mainstream benefits, and making referrals to services which will enhance the household's ability to maintain permanent housing. The paralegals will conduct outreach, education, and marketing and initial screening of program clients. In Albany, a paralegal with both a legal and social work background will provide intensive case management services to high need families. The paralegals will assist the attorneys in providing eviction representation and will provide direct legal representation in administrative matters such as public assistance or other cases under the supervision of an attorney. They will also be responsible for making necessary referrals to relevant social services, financial assistance, and income maintenance programs. As needed, they will provide follow-up referrals to help to stabilize other aspects of a client's household, including educational advancement, medical care, and better alternative housing. The paralegals will participate in the communities' Coordinated Entry and other referral and services networks and work collaboratively with government and nonprofit agencies, which provide supportive services, income, shelter, permanent supportive housing, homelessness prevention and rapid rehousing services and financial assistance to homeless and at-risk households. They will also participate in the implementation of LASNNY's race equity priority and their own professional development plan.Requirements: Associate degree, 4 to 10 years of experience in serving the low-income community or equivalent experience. A Bachelors degree is preferred for the paralegal providing intensive case management. Applicants must demonstrate a strong commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion and to housing justice. Must be intelligent, hardworking, careful, reliable, have good judgment, attention to detail and a demonstrated commitment and sensitivity to the low-income community. Must be able to communicate effectively with clients and staff, work independently and efficiently and be able to problem solve and work collaboratively with community partner agency staff. Demonstrated strong listening and relationship building skills, empathy, creativity and ability to conduct, outreach education and marketing campaigns. Must be willing to travel, attend court, hearings and community events, have a car and driver's license. Strong computer, administrative, reporting and data entry skills required. Ability to speak Spanish strongly preferred. Lived experience, case management and social work training and experience preferred.Salary Range: $38,789 to 46,131 DOE We are a unionized program with excellent benefits, offering generous time off, excellent health insurance coverage with premiums primarily paid by LASNNY, health and long term disability insurance, retirement contributions, tuition reimbursement, qualifying moving expenses, flexible hybrid -remote and alternative work schedulesApplication deadline: Until filled Applications should include a cover letter, resume, references and writing sampleAt LASNNY we value a diverse, inclusive workforce and we provide equal employment opportunity for all applicants and employees. All qualified applicants for employment will be considered without regard to an individual's race, color, sex, gender identity, gender expression, religion, age, national origin or ancestry, citizenship, physical or mental disability, medical condition, family care status, marital status, domestic partner status, sexual orientation, genetic information, military or veteran status, or any other basis protected by federal, state or local laws. We strongly encourage applications from women, BIPOC, LGBTQ persons, protected veterans, applicants and recipients of public assistance, older adults and people with disabilities.If you are unable to submit your application because of incompatible assistive technology or a disability, please contact us at LASNNY and we will reasonably accommodate qualified individuals with disabilities to the extent required by applicable law.PDN-993554b1-8293-48f5-83a8-6c321ba154b6

Keywords: Legal Aid Society of Northeastern NY, Albany , Homelessness Prevention Paralegals, Legal , Albany, New York