Temporary Legal Services Assistant (Paralegal)

1-20 yrs required

Full-time

No

Temporary Legal Services Assistant (Paralegal) at Tenant Rights Coalition (Job#20_2024) in Staten Island Legal Services is seeking a passionate and experienced individual to join their team for a one-year temporary position. The organization is committed to fighting poverty and seeking racial, social, and economic justice for low-income New Yorkers. They provide high-quality representation for diverse low-income populations and focus on preserving affordable housing, preventing foreclosures, and advocating for various marginalized communities. This is an excellent opportunity for someone who is dedicated to social justice and wants to make a meaningful impact in their community.

Organization Overview:

- Staten Island Legal Services (SILS) is a part of Legal Services NYC, the largest provider of civil legal services in the country.
- SILS is committed to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB) and provides numerous opportunities for professional growth and development.
- The organization has a DEIB committee and affinity groups to foster collegial relationships among staff and promote racial justice and anti-oppression growth.
- SILS is committed to creating a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace for everyone.

Housing Unit:

- The Housing Unit represents clients in Housing Court eviction proceedings, state and federal court, and administrative hearings.
- Their primary focus is preserving affordable housing for low-income tenants and challenging abusive and discriminatory conduct that displaces families and eliminates affordable housing.
- The Housing Unit also works on anti-displacement advocacy in Staten Island, supporting communities facing significant housing needs due to rapid neighborhood changes and gentrification.

Responsibilities:

- Conduct community education and outreach, including meeting with potential clients and providing legal guidance with the assistance of attorneys.
- Regular evening and weekend intake and outreach will be required.
- Advocate for clients, including housing subsidy applications, public assistance hearings, and complaints filed at administrative agencies.
- Handle cases for their own clients, with substantial client contact and community outreach.
- Perform administrative tasks, such as timekeeping, uploading documents, data reporting, and case closing for grant compliance.

Qualifications:

- A demonstrated passion for social justice and a commitment to working with low-income communities and communities of color to advance equity.
- Excellent interviewing, writing, and communication skills.
- Experience working with low-income people.
- Strong organizational skills and proficiency with numbers.
- Experience with housing and public benefits advocacy is preferred.
- Strong interpersonal, teaching/training, and organizational skills.
- Ability to manage multiple priorities and work under tight deadlines.
- Fluency or proficiency in Spanish or another language spoken by the communities they serve is preferred.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook, internet research, and a willingness to learn and adapt to new technologies.

Salary and Benefits:

- Salary is determined by the Collective Bargaining Agreement.
- The organization offers a hybrid remote work policy and an excellent benefits package.
- All employees are strongly encouraged to receive and maintain up-to-date COVID vaccinations, unless they are unable to for medical or religious reasons.

How to Apply:

- Interested individuals should e-mail a resume, cover letter, and writing sample to .
- Please write “TRC TEMP PARALEGAL” in the subject line.
- Applications will be considered on a rolling basis until the position is filled.
- Only candidates selected for interviews will be contacted. No telephone calls, please.

Additional Information:

- For more information about the practice, please visit their website at .
- Legal Services NYC is an equal opportunity employer.
- People of color, women, people with disabilities, gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people, and people over the age of 40 are strongly encouraged to apply.

Salary Information:

- 1-10 years of experience: $55,460-$68,514
- 11-20 years of experience: $69,614-$79,019
- 21+ years of experience: $82,013-$89,476

Hybrid remote work policy, excellent benefits package, opportunities for growth and professional development, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) efforts, social justice organization.

Fluency or proficiency in Spanish preferred.

Social Justice, Legal Guidance, Advocacy, Community Outreach, Case Management, Administrative Tasks, Time Management, Grant Compliance, Public Benefits, Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, Internet Research, Bilingual (Spanish preferred).

Bachelor's degree, Paralegal certification preferred.

Interested individuals should email a resume, cover letter, and writing sample to with "TRC TEMP PARALEGAL" in the subject line. Applications will be considered on a rolling basis until the position is filled.

Qualification and Experience Bachelor's degree, Paralegal certification preferred, experience working with low-income communities, strong communication and organizational skills, proficiency in Spanish or another language preferred, proficiency with Microsoft Office.

Legal