POSITION ANNOUNCEMENT
(June 2019)
AMERICORPS MEMBERS - LEGAL ASSISTANT
ACCESS TO JUSTICE PROJECT (Rochester, NY)
Project Description:
The Rochester office
of Legal Assistance of Western New York, Inc. (LawNY)
has (1) five-month AmeriCorps position available in our Access to Justice
Project, a partnership between LawNY and AmeriCorps, America's most
prominent volunteer service program.
LawNY is a
not-for-profit law firm which provides civil legal services to low-income
clients in a fourteen-county region in western New York State. The
Rochester office serves Monroe County residents and provides representation
primarily in the areas of housing, public benefits, re-entry, health, and elder
law. LawNY has six other offices located in Bath, Elmira,
Geneva, Ithaca, Jamestown and Olean, New York.
AmeriCorps
members will work as legal assistants, and will be offered the opportunity for
direct, substantive legal experience, excellent training and mentoring, and a
chance to make a critical difference in the lives of poor people and their
communities. They will team with dedicated professionals, including other
AmeriCorps members, in an established poverty law program.
AmeriCorps Member
Benefits:
- The $7154 living
allowance for a five month position (equivalent to $715.42 semi-monthly)
would be pro-rated dependent on the start date of this position;
- Segal AmeriCorps
Education Award (currently set at $2255.24) upon successful completion of
(5) months of service would be pro-rated dependent on the start date of this
position;
- Deferment of
qualified federal and some private student loans;
- Possibility of
year long position renewal, funding permitting;
- Eligibility for
assistance in obtaining basic health insurance;
- Child care
benefit, if eligible;
- Intensive
training and member support;
- Members
typically qualify for SNAP and HEAP benefits;
Member Responsibilities:
- Provide
screening and intake for poor persons seeking civil legal assistance;
- Assist
staff attorneys in providing legal services to clients;
- Work
with community agencies serving the poor to strengthen collaborations;
- Provide
outreach and community education for targeted groups/clients;
- Assist
in the recruitment and support of volunteer lawyers, students and
community members;
- Participate
on relevant staff committees/work groups;
- Participate
in impact cases or projects.
Member Qualifications:
Applicants
should have at least two years of college or equivalent experience. Prior
experience working with the poor or disadvantaged is preferred. Members should have a personal commitment to
eliminating poverty and its effects in our communities and to high standards of
professional performance. Commitment to
a five-month term with a minimum of (675) hours of service is required with a
start date of 7/1/19.
Application Procedure:
All applications
received will be considered until the positions are filled. Applicants should
email a cover letter of interest, a resume, and the names of (3) references to
the attention of Lori O'Brien, Managing Attorney of the Rochester office
of LawNY, at
the following email address: lawnyapplications@lawny.org. If selected, the position will start
immediately or no later than 7/1/19 and run five months through 11/31/19.
Legal
Assistance of Western New York, Inc. (LawNY) is an
equal opportunity employer. LawNY encourages applications from diverse candidates. LawNY welcomes applications
regardless of race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation,
pregnancy, national origin, age, disability, genetic information or any other
consideration protected by law. This
position is considered non-exempt pursuant to the Fair Labor Standards Act. |