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SalaryBrooklyn Legal Services seeks Paralegal Advocate for its Tenant Rights Coalition, based in our Brownsville, Brooklyn office.
About us
Brooklyn Legal Services (BLS), part of Legal Services NYC (LSNYC), is a civil legal services organization with a mission to fight poverty and seek racial, social, and economic justice on behalf of low-income New Yorkers. Our office provides a wide range of civil legal services and balance individual case representation, impact litigation and policy advocacy, as well as outreach, education, and trainings, in various subject areas. We have a wall-to wall union that includes attorneys, paralegals, social workers, and support staff.
LSNYC prides itself on its Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging (DEIB) efforts. As a social justice organization, we are committed to fighting for a workplace that is as diverse, equitable, and inclusive as possible for everyone. Our DEIB committee and numerous affinity groups work to foster collegial relationships among staff and allow staff to explore and advocate for racial justice and anti-oppression growth within our organization and through our legal work. All employees are expected to learn about, seek to understand, and work to realize our DEIB goals.
The Tenant Rights Coalition (TRC) is a team of legal workers performing anti-displacement work in partnership with tenant leaders and community organizers throughout Brooklyn to combat the impacts of gentrification. Our unit is based in a community office in Brownsville; however, our day-to-day work includes but is not limited to, supporting tenant association meetings at buildings in south, central, and east Brooklyn neighborhoods, defending against and/or asserting claims in Housing Court, Supreme Court, Appellate Court, Federal Court, and/or at various administrative agencies, conducting workshops and trainings, staffing multiple monthly clinics, and supporting local and statewide coalition work.
The Paralegal Advocate will work closely with the TRC team and our community partners to support Brooklyn tenants through community education and outreach, advocacy both in and out-of-court, and be responsible for case handling including applications for housing subsidies, rental and/or public assistance, and complaints filed at various administrative agencies. Occasional evening and weekend hours may be necessary.
Responsibilities include:
o Client interviews to assess eligibility for services, benefits, and/or other housing-related needs;
o Draft and/or prepare applications and complaints to multiple administrative agencies to obtain assistance and/or vindicate rights;
o Legal research and drafting of supporting documents for legal cases, including affidavits and charts;
o Conduct and/or attend tenant meetings, clinics and workshops at buildings and other locations throughout Brooklyn;
o Manage diverse caseload of individual and group cases alongside attorneys and community partners;
o Attend and/or conduct team meetings and substantive trainings;
o Manage cases and ensure compliance with various grant reporting requirements.
Qualifications:
o Demonstrated passion for social justice and a commitment to working with low-income communities and communities of color;
o Excellent interviewing, writing, and communication skills;
o Experience working with low-income people;
o Familiarity with Housing Court processes and cases, as well as public benefits advocacy, is strongly preferred;
o Excellent organizational skills including ability to prioritize multiple tasks within a set amount of time;
o Fluency or strong proficiency in a second language is strongly preferred;
o Skilled in Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, internet research, and eagerness to learn and adapt to evolving technologies and systems;
o Good sense of humor and ability to work well on a team.
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.
How to Apply:
Applicants should send a cover letter, resume, and two writing samples –can be advocacy letters, emails, and/or any form of writing that demonstrates abilities to clearly state instructions and/or give detailed information – to bkhiring@lsnyc.org. Please write “TRC Paralegal Advocate” in the subject line of the email.
Only candidates selected for interviews will be contacted. No telephone calls, please.
BLS offers an excellent benefits package and a highly competitive public interest salary. We offer excellent benefits, including health, dental, and vision plans; contributions to a 403(b) plan; and generous leave time. Salary is commensurate with experience.
Brooklyn Legal Services 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 welcome and encouraged to apply. We are committed to race, gender, and economic justice in our work and within our workplace. Staff members who are not managers are members of the LSSA/NOLSW UAW Local 2320.
Additional information about the practice may be found on our website, www.legalservicesnyc.org.
Job#90_2023; Posted: 12.2023
Salary Range (Based on years’ experience):
- 1-10 years: $55,460 - $68,514
- 11-20 years: $69,614 - $79,019
- 21+ years: $82,013 - $89,477
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $55,460.00 - $89,477.00 per year
Benefits:
- AD&D insurance
- Dental insurance
- Disability insurance
- Employee assistance program
- Flexible schedule
- Flexible spending account
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Parental leave
- Professional development assistance
- Retirement plan
- Vision insurance
- Wellness program
- Work from home
Schedule:
- Monday to Friday
Ability to Relocate:
- Brooklyn, NY 11233: Relocate before starting work (Required)
Work Location: In person
