Intake Paralegal, Housing Unit

1-20 yrs required

Full-time

No

Intake Paralegal, Housing Unit at Brooklyn Legal Services, a program of Legal Services NYC

Introduction:
Brooklyn Legal Services, a program of Legal Services NYC, is seeking an Intake Paralegal for their Housing Unit. This position involves providing legal services to low-income tenants facing eviction. The ideal candidate will have a passion for social justice and a commitment to working with marginalized communities. This is a fast-paced environment that requires excellent communication and organizational skills. The Intake Paralegal will work closely with tenants, lawyers, the court, and community partners to provide holistic services to clients. Fluency in Spanish, Russian, Haitian-Creole, or another language commonly spoken in Brooklyn is strongly preferred. This is an excellent opportunity for someone who wants to make a difference in their community and advance equity.

Organization:
Brooklyn Legal Services is part of Legal Services NYC, the largest civil legal services provider in the country. With a staff of almost 600 people in neighborhood-based offices and outreach sites across all five boroughs, they help more than 110,000 New Yorkers annually. Brooklyn Legal Services focuses on preserving affordable housing, maintaining income support, redressing abusive lending and consumer practices, promoting family stability, and mitigating the effects of domestic violence and advocating for the disabled. They have a strong commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) efforts and strive to create a workplace that is as diverse, equitable, and inclusive as possible for everyone.

Job Title:
Intake Paralegal, Housing Unit at Brooklyn Legal Services, a program of Legal Services NYC

Responsibilities:
- Conduct eligibility screenings of potential clients, including obtaining necessary demographic data and helping to identify the scope of a client's request for assistance
- Conduct intake with eligible clients via telephone, video, and in-person at our offices and off-site
- Enter and track client information in databases and grants management systems, run data reports, and assist in audit preparation
- Open and close case files and ensure compliance with program protocols
- Coordinate follow-up services and assist case handlers on client-related matters, including appointments, referrals, and client correspondences
- Provide information, referrals, and/or advice under the supervision of an attorney
- Maintain client-related files, including copying, scanning, uploading, and distributing documents
- Use language-assistance resources, including translation and interpretation services

Experience and Qualifications:
- A demonstrated passion for social justice and a commitment to working with low-income communities and communities of color to advance equity
- Ability to work in a fast-paced environment, juggle multiple deadlines, keep clear records, communicate proactively, and remain accountable to commitments
- An excellent collaborator who enjoys working with and being a part of a team
- At least one or more years of experience working with low-income people
- Strong interest in working with clients in crisis
- Comfort with speaking on the phone and asking uncomfortable and at times invasive questions during the first conversation with a client
- Ability to adapt to change and be flexible
- Excellent interviewing, writing, organizational, and communication skills
- Experience creating and/or maintaining records, both paper and electronic
- Skill with Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook, internet research, and a willingness to learn and adapt to new technologies
- A licensed notary or willingness to take the NYS notary public examination
- Humility, a keen understanding of power and privilege, and a willingness to accept input and feedback, especially from clients

Preferred Qualifications and Skills:
- Fluency in Spanish, Russian, Haitian-Creole, or another language commonly spoken in Brooklyn is strongly preferred
- Prior experience with legal intake processes
- Proficiency with case management software

How to Apply:
Applicants should send a cover letter and resume to with "RTC/PBU Intake Paralegal" in the subject line. Only candidates selected for interviews will be contacted. No telephone calls, please.

Benefits:
BLS offers a generous benefits package. Salary is commensurate with experience.

Equal Opportunity Employer:
Legal Services NYC is an affirmative action, equal-opportunity employer. People of color, women, people with disabilities, gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people, and people over the age of 40 are all welcome and encouraged to apply.

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging:
BLS acknowledges that applicants from groups that have been historically marginalized are less likely to apply for positions unless they feel that they meet 100% of a job description's qualifications. They understand that the ideal candidate might not completely meet the criteria listed above or be equally proficient in each area. They especially encourage applicants who are impacted by LSNYC's work to submit their application anyway.

COVID Vaccinations:
All employees are strongly encouraged to continue to receive and maintain up-to-date COVID vaccinations unless they are unable to for medical or religious reasons.

Salary Information:
1-10 years: $51,883 - $64,096
11-20 years: $65,124 - $73,922
21+ years: $76,724 - $83,706

Experience Level:
1+ years

Job Type:
Full-time

Location:
Brooklyn, NY

Position Summary:
Brooklyn Legal Services, a program of Legal Services NYC, is seeking an Intake Paralegal for their Housing Unit. This position involves providing legal services to low-income tenants facing eviction. The ideal candidate will have a passion for social justice and a commitment to working with marginalized communities. This is a fast-paced environment that requires excellent communication and organizational skills. The Intake Paralegal will work closely with tenants, lawyers, the court, and community partners to provide holistic services to clients. Fluency in Spanish, Russian, Haitian-Creole, or another language commonly spoken in Brooklyn is strongly preferred.

Job Responsibilities:
- Conduct eligibility screenings of potential clients

Not mentioned

Generous benefits package, including health insurance, retirement plan, paid time off, and professional development opportunities.

Fluency in Spanish, Russian, Haitian-Creole or other language commonly spoken in Brooklyn preferred.

Legal intake, case management, client communication, data entry, language assistance, Microsoft Office, organizational skills, time management, teamwork, problem solving, fluency in Spanish, Russian, Haitian-Creole or other language commonly spoken in Brooklyn.

Bachelor's degree, paralegal certificate or equivalent experience.

Send cover letter and resume to with "RTC/PBU Intake Paralegal" in the subject line.

Qualification and Experience Bachelor's degree, paralegal certificate or equivalent experience.

Legal