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
Click
here to apply!
|