Pro Bono Legal Assistant

POSITION TITLE: Legal Assistant

DEPARTMENT: Pro Bono Legal Services Program

REPORTS TO: Director of Pro Bono Legal Services

SUPERVISES: N/A

POSITION TYPE: Full-time, nonexempt

SCHEDULE: Up to 40 hours/week, based on funding

This position is open until filled, with a priority deadline of March 25.

STARTING SALARY: $23.38

BENEFITS:

• Medical/Vision Dental Insurance: The following individuals qualify for BMAC's group insurance plans:
  • Regular, full-time employees working 30-40 hours per week receive full benefits
  • Regular, part-time employees working 20-29 hours per week receive prorated benefits based on the number of hours worked
  • Qualifying dependents: Spouse/legal domestic partner and any dependent children 26 years or younger
• Life Insurance
• Short/Long-Term Disability
• Employee Assistance Program
• 401(k) Retirement Plan: Eligibility begins in the first month after hire date. Vesting rules apply.
• Paid Time Off (PTO): Employees begin accruing PTO the first day of employment as detailed below
  • Employees with 0-5 Years of Service = accrue 0.075 hours per hour worked
  • Employees with 5+ Years of Service = accrue 0.0875 hours per hour worked
  • Employees with 10+ Years of Service = accrue 0.10 hours per hour worked
• Volunteer Time Off (VTO): Available in the following amounts per calendar year:
  • Employees schedule to work 35-40 hours = 16 VTO hours
  • Employees schedule to work 25-34 hours = 12 VTO hours
  • Employees schedule to work 20-24 hours = 8 VTO hours
• Holidays: 12 paid holidays
• Other Paid Leave
  • Voting Leave – as needed upon request
  • Bereavement Leave – up to 4 days to eligible employees
  • Jury Duty Leave – up to 4 weeks over any 1-year period
• Workers Compensation: Comprehensive insurance provided

JOB SUMMARY: The Legal Assistant will work directly with the Pro Bono Legal Services Director to coordinate civil legal aid assistance for eligible SSVF clients. The Legal Assistant must be able to network and maintain professional working relationships with local (and long-distance) attorneys. This position will be involved in internal BMAC program outreach for the purposes of coordinating legal aid services and making appropriate referrals for clients. The Legal Assistant will support client efforts directly in preparation for attorney consultations and organize logistics for legal clinics. The Legal Assistant will collaborate in the planning and implementation of program events. Travel will be required to assist clients and provide community outreach in a wide program delivery region.

The Legal Assistant must display a thorough understanding of client confidentiality and demonstrate the ability to follow confidentiality standards and policies accordingly. Additionally, it is vital that the Legal Assistant develops a thorough understanding of what constitutes giving legal advice and the boundaries associated with assisting program clients as a non-attorney.

OVERVIEW OF RESPONSIBILITIES:Includes, but is not limited to:

1. Assess referred BMAC SSVF program clients’ legal needs for barriers to housing attainment or housing stability.
2. Meet with clients either in person or virtually to deliver, receive, or give brief explanations of referral program documents and processes.
3. Interact with volunteer attorneys and court personnel in a professional manner regarding new and existing referrals.
4. Maintain complete and accurate files and computer records while supporting the legal team in staying organized (particularly in HMIS, Legal Server, and CAP60, program client-tracking databases).
5. Make oral or written presentations as requested for community outreach meetings or BMAC staff training regarding how to detect legal needs and specific BMAC Pro Bono Legal Services Program parameters and processes.
6. Monitor and record facilitation as necessary with clients, assigned legal service providers, and other parties to address any barriers to meeting client needs and identify effective strategies to remove those barriers.
7. Participate in weekly or as required case conferencing meetings with the SSVF program(s), including subcontractors.
8. Under the direction of the Director, understand and be able to facilitate required monitoring by the SSVF Director.
9. Performs other related duties as assigned

QUALIFICATIONS:

Education & Experience

Relevant experience and/or education may be substituted for either education or work history.

• Associates degree in Human Services or related field
• One (1) year of work experience in a direct services coordination position.
  • Experience in legal office preferred.
  • Experience working with Veterans and/or serving low-income families preferred.
• Full proficiency in Bilingual/Bicultural – English/Spanish, strongly preferred.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Strong commitment to BMAC’s mission of collaborating with our partners to equitably deliver services and support to our neighbors experiencing poverty and to our values: accountability for our actions and services; dignity for all we serve; honoring diversity, equity, and inclusion in all aspects of our work; and upholding a spirit of service.
• Demonstrates the necessary attitudes, knowledge, and skills to deliver culturally competent services and work effectively with diverse populations, including LGBTQ and people of color, as well as individuals of all ages and ability levels.
• Excellent ability to communicate professionally verbally and in writing.
• Ability to work collaboratively with BMAC staff, program volunteers, Board members, court staff, and community partners.
• A general knowledge of the civil legal system
• Current understanding or willingness to learn legal ethics, including attorney conflict of interests, confidentiality, and obtaining appropriate releases of information.
• Ability to be flexible when managing changing priorities and schedules, without compromising the quality of outcomes, ability to complete tasks, or uphold commitments.
• Ability to initiate and respond to communication such as emails or letters promptly.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office products, including Outlook, Teams, Word, Excel, and SharePoint.
• Ability to compile and accurately input and organize data, information, and files.
• Ability to learn/use HMIS, Legal Server, and CAP60 software systems.

Certifications

• Valid driver’s license and satisfactory driving record at the time of hire.
• Must provide own vehicle for travel and provide proof of current auto insurance. Mileage will be reimbursed according to the current IRS mileage rate.
  • Rental vehicles may be available for use.

WORK ENVIRONMENT: Work is generally performed in an office environment. Involves occasional travel over the 17 counties covered by SSVF.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the job's essential functions. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals to perform essential functions.

Prolonged sedentary periods at desk and working on a computer. Occasional moving up to 15lbs.

NOTE: This is a general description of essential job functions. It is not intended as an employment contract, nor is it intended to describe all duties someone in this position may perform. All employees of BMAC are expected to perform tasks as assigned by supervisory/ management personnel, regardless of job title or routine job duties.