Empire Justice Center, a highly respected, statewide legal services organization, is seeking a Crime Victims Paralegal to join our team. The Crime Victims Paralegal will be a critical member of the Crime Victims Advocacy Project. The aim of this project is to provide civil (non-criminal) legal assistance in a range of substantive law matters to crime victims.
The Empire Justice Crime Victims team includes staff in Westchester, Rochester, and Central Islip. The Crime Victim Paralegal on Long Island will support the Long Island Staff Attorney/Program Manager. The Crime Victim Team on Long Island will serve the general low-income community with a focus on victims of consumer fraud, small claims, and debt collection issue, with some family law, employment discrimination and civil rights violations.
Each Crime Victim Paralegal will act as part of the overall statewide team, participating in client representation, community outreach, required data reporting and assessments. The Long Island Paralegal will be supervised by the Crime Victims Program Manager/Attorney on Long Island.
PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE CRIME VICTIMS’ PARALEGAL WILL INCLUDE:
- Conducting intake for crime victims seeking legal assistance, being prompt in returning client telephone calls or emails and tracking documents and ensuring case management systems are appropriately utilized and individual case data is up to date on all clients.
- Participating as requested in the overall Crime Victims Legal Network (CVLN) and ensuring that all referrals from CVLN are handled promptly and appropriately.
- Making appropriate referrals as needed for crime victims seeking services not provided by Empire Justice.
- Under the supervision of the Crime Victims attorney, assisting in the representation of clients.
- Completing all work and reports in a timely manner, meeting or exceeding caseload target as required by grant sources.
- Working with community groups, conducting outreach on the availability of services, and helping to develop and distribute community education materials.
- Developing a thorough understanding of Crime Victims project and the requirements for grant reporting and adhering to the reporting requirements of grant
- Actively participating in the overall Crime Victims Project team and the work of the overall Practice Group as assigned and to otherwise be an active member of the organization.
- Assist the Project Manager or Training Coordinator in arranging new and continuing substantive training for staff.
- Oversee maintenance or resource material in the substantive area assigned.
- Be responsible for handling major research projects when necessary and appropriate.
- Under the supervision of an Attorney, perform research and writing tasks normally performed by an Attorney.
- Attend Crime Victims trainings throughout the year, both on-line and in person
- Other duties as assigned.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
- At least 3 years of paralegal experiences or social work experiences
- Knowledge of various community resources to support client’s needs in a holistic manner.
- Demonstrated commitment to providing civil legal assistance to those in need.
- A highly motivated individual interested in assisting victims of crime.
- Excellent written and oral communication skills
- Ability to organize, plan, prioritize, meet deadlines, and work under pressure.
- Flexibility and experience working as a team.
- Ability to respond to cultural differences among organizations, client population, and staff.
- Bi-lingual in Spanish strongly desired
- Working knowledge of consumer law
- Strong knowledge and working relationships with community resources, including housing, social services, and financial assistance programs.
- Strong client communication skills including learning to deal with “difficult” clients.
- Be experienced in interviewing and counseling clients, preferably in both English and Spanish.
- Be willing and able to travel to serve clients in a geographically wide-spread area.
- To work well both independently and as a member of a team of attorneys, paralegals, and support staff
DESIRED SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS
- Bi-lingual in Spanish strongly desired
- Working knowledge of consumer law
- Strong knowledge and working relationships with community resources, including housing, social services, and financial assistance programs.
- Strong client communication skills including learning to deal with “difficult” clients.
- Be experienced in interviewing and counseling clients, preferably in both English and Spanish.
- Be willing and able to travel to serve clients in a geographically wide-spread area.
- To work well both independently and as a member of a team of attorneys, paralegals, and support staff
SALARY AND BENEFITS
Salary is commensurate with experience and based on the organization's salary scale. Empire Justice Center offers a generous benefits package, including health insurance, pension and life insurance, vacation, holiday, personal and sick time. We are an organization that supports and encourages a work/life balance.
Empire Justice Center is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer and desires a diverse work force. People of color, women, persons with disabilities, persons who are elderly, gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender are welcomed and encouraged to apply.
TO APPLY:
Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. If interested e-mail a cover letter, resume, writing sample and three professional references to: employment@empirejustice.org
Please include, CrimeVictimsParalegal, First/Last Nameto the subject line of the email. No phone calls or hard copies please. Incomplete applications will not be considered.
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