Branch Secretary/Receptionist

POSITION ANNOUNCEMENT

BRANCH SECRETARY/RECEPTIONIST

LEGAL SERVICES OF CENTRAL NEW YORK, INC. (LSCNY)

Position Overview: Legal Services of Central New York, Inc. will hire a Branch Secretary/Receptionist who will be assigned to the Binghamton Office. This position performs general administrative duties including serving as a receptionist for a busy non-profit law firm; answering incoming calls, retrieving, and returning messages, making copies, faxes, intake of client information and other tasks as needed or assigned. This position serves to support staff attorneys in our representation of clients in several civil legal areas of law including housing, consumer, education, health, public benefits, and employment matters.

Our Organization: For more than 55 years, we have sought to make a difference in clients’ lives and their communities by eliminating the barriers that reduce our client’s access to economic mobility. LSCNY is committed to achieving justice for low-income people and those who have difficult accessing the justice system. We are deeply committed to principles of anti-racism and race equality in all we do.

Qualifications:

• Commitment to race equity, diversity, inclusion and belonging.
• Commitment to assisting LSCNY staff in providing high-quality legal assistance to low-income and under-served populations.
• Ability and desire to ensure a welcoming and inclusive reception space as the point of first contact for clients and the community.
• An associate or bachelor’s degree and some experience as a legal secretary in a law office or equivalent experience is desired but not required.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Excellent computer skills, including proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Outlook, Excel), working with PDFs, as well as other basic programs as needed. Ability to maintain online calendars and electronic room schedules, and ability to quickly learn and use Legal Server, our case management system.
• Ability to work collaboratively and independently in a busy office and prioritize work.
• Ability to use good judgment in making decisions.
• Excellent organizational skills.
• Must be willing to work reasonable overtime when requested.
• Lived experiences in communities we serve is desirable.
• Bilingual or multi-lingual with able to read, write, and speak Spanish proficiently is a plus.
• Ability to meet occasional local travel demands: A valid driver’s license and ability to drive are required.
• Be a notary public or willing to become a notary public and perform such duties as needed.

Responsibilities and Essential Functions:

• Ensure the office is opened and closed on time each day.
• Conduct client intake, ensure client documents are in file, and identify imminent or urgent deadlines while ensuring client confidentiality.
• Answer basic program related questions, assist with program paperwork.
• Serve as a receptionist: welcome visitors to the office, determine purpose of visit and announce visitors to appropriate staff, answer incoming calls, forward calls and messages to appropriate staff, make copies, and assemble program materials and packets.
• Manage documents, maintain files, and assist with completion of client documents.
• Print case closing information from case management system, file cases and maintain on-site office file storage.
• Maintain professional courteous relationships with other staff, clients, community organizations, opposing counsel, and court staff.
• Assist attorney staff with basic correspondence and drafting.
• Assist with inventory of program supplies, maintaining office equipment as needed, order, receive and organize office supplies.
• Serve as liaison between building maintenance and cleaning staff, maintain general organization/cleanliness of office, and assist with room set-ups and breakdowns as needed.
• Receive, sort, scan/route and send mail to proper party.
• Be willing to participate in training new staff assigned to the office.
• Perform other administrative duties as assigned.

Closing Date for Applications: When filled.

Salary/Benefits: Starting salary is from $36,700 to $55,184. Starting salaries are determined by CBA based upon experience. We have excellent benefits and generous leave including, Health, Vision, Dental, Life/Disability Insurance, Health Savings Account, Flexible Savings Account, 403(b) and Employer Retirement Contribution, Mileage Reimbursement, Training, 14 Paid Holidays, Vacation, Sick, Personal, Parental and Bereavement Leave, Jury Duty, EAP, Exercise Rewards and Relocation Assistance (if eligible).

Application: Your application must include a cover letter, resume, writing sample (optional), and three references. Please email your application to:

Director of Human Resources

Legal Services of Central New York, Inc.

221 South Warren Street, Suite 300

Syracuse, New York 13202

Email: hiring@lscny.org

Legal Services of Central New York, Inc. is committed to diversity and inclusion in hiring, retention, and promotions so we can be more creative, effective, and just, bringing more varied perspectives, experiences, talents, and interests into the practice of law and the administration of justice. We accept, respect, and value differences that include attributes such as age, race, gender, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, disabilities, language, socioeconomic status, marital and parental status, national origin, immigration status, and cultural background. We strongly encourage individuals with historically marginalized identities to apply.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $36,700.00 - $55,184.00 per year

Schedule:

• Monday to Friday

People with a criminal record are encouraged to apply

Work Location: In person