Paralegal (ULA Income Support Project) - Economic Stability Work Group

POSITION: Paralegal (ULA Income Support Project) – Economic Stability Work Group

LOCATION: East Los Angeles Community Office

SALARY: $54,080k - $60,832.65k/annually DOE, with excellent benefits

AVAILABILITY: Immediately

APPLICATION DEADLINE: Continuous until position is filled

Are you interested in joining an organization dedicated to increasing access to justice while addressing systemic inequities among the most vulnerable members of the Greater Los Angeles area? If yes, LAFLA is the place for you!

The Organization: LAFLA is a nonprofit law firm that protects and advances the rights of the most underserved—leveling the playing field and ensuring that everyone can have access to the justice system. Celebrating 95 years of service to Los Angeles communities, LAFLA is the first and most experienced legal aid organization in Greater Los Angeles. LAFLA has more than 200 employees, including more than 100 attorneys, who provide free services and resources on a broad range of civil legal issues that impact healthy, safety, and self-sufficiency. Every year, LAFLA helps more than 100,000 people find their voice, regain control of their lives, and build a brighter future. Our unique combination of neighborhood offices, self-help centers at courthouses, and domestic violence clinics puts LAFLA on the frontlines in communities at the forefront of change. LAFLA also engages in impact litigation to help enact long-term systemic change—actively collaborating with a network of public and private partners to expand access to justice, identify needs in the communities we serve, and change laws and policies that adversely affect the underserved. For more information, please visit www.lafla.org.

The Workgroup: The Economic Stability Workgroup (ESWG) helps people obtain benefits to fulfill basic needs (food, shelter, medical care, and services to attain self-sufficiency); fights wage theft and denial of unemployment insurance benefits; and advises on wrongful terminations and discriminatory employment practices. ESWG also helps people who cannot afford to repay their student loans due to disability or who have attended for-profit colleges that engaged in predatory, deceptive, or illegal practices. In addition to direct service, ESWG engages in policy advocacy and impact litigation to address systemic problems.

LAFLA is currently accepting applications for the position of ULA Income Support Paralegal.

This position is part of a special program created using designated funds. There is no assurance of ongoing funding or employment beyond 12 months from date of hire.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• A four (4) year college degree or Paralegal Certificate.
• One (1) year relevant work or volunteer experience preferred.
• Experience interviewing individuals in crisis and/or assisting individuals who have low-income in a service setting.
• Some knowledge of government benefits law/public assistance programs such as Supplemental Security Income (SSI) CalWORKs, CalFresh, General Relief, Medi-Cal preferred.
• Excellent customer service and written and verbal communication skills.
• Self-motivated, organized, and ability to manage a high-volume caseload.
• Comfortable with case management systems and other technology.
• Bilingual in English and Spanish preferred.

EXAMPLE OF DUTIES:

• Interview potential clients to determine eligibility and interest in ULA Income Support program;
• Interview, advise, and provide limited legal services to clients under the direct supervision of a licensed attorney with regard the impact of the Income Support on government benefits eligibility;
• Deliver client-centered and trauma-informed assistance to clients experiencing a legal crisis with their government benefits.
• Assist walk-in applicants and cover the front desk of LAFLA’s community offices, as needed.
• Maintain timely and organized case notes and files.
• Collaborate effectively as part of a team that includes attorneys, paralegals, support staff, volunteers, and students.
• Participate in community outreach projects.
• Other duties as assigned.
• Contribute to the organization’s DEI plan and goals (via surveys, interviews, etc), supporting all DEI initiatives and helping to promote inclusion in a thoughtful way;
• To view LAFLA’s Commitment to DEI, please go to https://lafla.org/who-we-are/diversity-equity-inclusion-justice-at-lafla/

HOW TO APPLY - Please submit a cover letter and resume online to eswgjobs@lafla.org. Include “Paralegal (ULA Income Support) – ESWG” in the subject line.

PROBATIONARY PERIOD - A nine-month probationary period will be required.

AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER - Selection will be based solely on merit and will be without discrimination because of race, color, national origin, ancestry, ethnicity, citizenship, creed, sex, general, sexual orientation, gender identity, transgender status, age, religion, genetic information, physical or mental disability, medical condition, military or veteran status, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical condition, marital or registered domestic partners status, or any other legally protected status.

The company is committed to equal employment opportunity and providing reasonable accommodations to qualified candidates and employees pursuant to applicable law. We value and encourage diversity and solicit applications from all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, gender, sex, age, religion, creed, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, marital status, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, medical condition, military and veteran status, gender identity or expression, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law. If you require reasonable accommodation as part of the application process or expect to require an accommodation if hired, please contact humanresources@lafla.org.

BENEFITS AND COMPENSATION - LAFLA offers a diverse environment with competitive compensation based on comparable public interest salaries. We also offer a generous benefits package for full-time employees including medical, dental, and vision for employees and dependents, life insurance, long-term disability and long-term care insurance, and 403(b) retirement plan. Eligible employees may also qualify for bilingual supplements, law student loan reimbursements, and a cell phone stipend.

HYBRID WORK SCHEDULE Depending on job classifications, some LAFLA staff are working on a manager approved hybrid work schedule, with the ability to work remotely up to half the week, if preferred, after the probationary period. The successful candidate must be local and willing to work from the assigned LAFLA office.