Job Abstract

Who We Are: CAMBA is a community of staff, volunteers, clients, donors, neighbors and partners who work together to build an inclusive New York City. CAMBA serves more than 65,000 individuals and families each year, citywide, including almost 13,000 youth. Our 180+ programs in over 100 locations improve the lives of a diverse cross section of New Yorkers. From homelessness prevention in Staten Island to supportive housing in the Bronx; from employment training in Manhattan to after school programs and college access in Brooklyn; from family shelter and support in Queens to increasing affordable housing across the city, CAMBA provides holistic services to help struggling New Yorkers stabilize their lives and become self-sufficient.

CAMBA Legal Services, Inc. (CLS) is the legal services arm of CAMBA, Inc. CLS provides free civil legal services to low-income New Yorkers in the areas of consumer law, foreclosure prevention, immigration, housing law, and domestic violence assistance. In addition to providing direct representation and providing legal advice and counsel to thousands of clients, CAMBA attorneys also engage in legislative advocacy, impact litigation in both state and federal court, provide community education and offer expert training on a wide range of issues, services that allow members of our community to improve their lives.

Position: Casehandling Paralegal

Reports To: Assistant Program Manager

Location: 241 37th Street, Brooklyn, NY 11232

What The Casehandling Paralegal Does:

• Assist clients in completing CLS intake applications and forms.
• Conduct legal intake and assessment of clients and clients' families' situations and needs, and enter all relevant data into the data system.
• May conduct home visits in order to perform intake and follow-up services.
• May assist clients in completing applications for fair hearings and other administrative proceedings.
• Process applications for charitable housing grants and conduct follow up.
• Research and analyze law sources such as statutes, recorded judicial decisions, legal articles, legal codes, etc.
• May draft or prepare legal documents such as subpoenas, letters of advocacy, affidavits, stipulations, OSCs, motions, and forms for administrative hearings.
• Investigate facts and law of case to assist in determining causes of action/defenses and prepare case accordingly.
• May file motions, briefs, pleadings, legal memos, and appeals with court clerk, copy court files, and/or serve papers on other parties.
• Maintain accurate and comprehensive document/client files including up to date case note documentation.
• Deliver or direct delivery of subpoenas to witnesses and parties to action, in accordance with all legal requirements.
• Recommend and implement strategies to persuade clients to participate fully in their own legal process.
• Act as client liaison/advocate to coordinate with internal and external programs and agencies to make referrals and to ensure integrated services delivery.
• Assist clients in completing SCRIE and DRIE applications.
• Pickup checks from agencies and/or charities and deliver to the office, court, or office of opposing counsel.
• Assist in communication with HRA benefits (e.g., request benefits issuance printouts, check application status, etc.).
• Assist in referral and client communication throughout duration of intake and/or case.
• Interpret for clients and staff as needed; translate documents, forms, etc.
• May help with reporting and/or billing.
• May conduct outreach to the community in order to inform the community of the legal services and to recruit clients.
• May maintain client data in relevant databases.
• May provide all required information for weekly/monthly/quarterly/annual report.
• May provide group presentations to advise potential clients of their legal rights and responsibilities.
• May assist with making Marshals’ calls and updating Marshals’ call list.
• May handle NYCHA and HRA hearings.
• Assist with HPD and HCR administrative proceedings.
• May assist existing CAMBA clients with FHEPS applications, and/or other types of rental arrears/ subsidy applications.

Minimum Education/Experience Required:

• Associate’s Degree (A.A.) and two years applicable experience or Bachelor's degree (B. A. or B.S.) and/or equivalent experience.

Other Requirements:

• Bilingual (Spanish/Haitian Creole) preferred.

Compensation: $48,762 - $76,2311 annually
When salary ranges are listed, the range would represent the low and high end for the applicable position & program. The salary offered would be based on various factors unique to each program and candidate. This includes but is not limited to experience, education, budget and/or program size, internal equity, skills and other factors that may be required for the position and organization. 

The support staff, law graduates, and staff attorneys at CAMBA Legal Services are unionized with the Association of Legal Aid Attorneys, UAW Local 2325 as the CAMBA Legal Services Workers Union.

Status: Full-time (35 hours per week)
Benefits: CAMBA offers a comprehensive benefits package including health insurance, dental insurance, 403(b) retirement plan with employer match, paid time off (vacation, personal, and sick time), and paid holidays.

CAMBA is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We value a diverse workforce and inclusive workplace. People of color, people with disabilities, and lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people are encouraged to apply. We consider all applicants without regard to race, color, religion, creed, gender, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, age, disability, socio-economic status, marital or veteran status, pregnancy status or sexual orientation.