Tenant Defense Paralegal Req- 5191

Job Description

Job Description

BronxWorks helps individuals and families improve their economic and social well-being. From toddlers to seniors, we feed, shelter, teach, and support our neighbors to build a stronger Bronx community. In all aspects of our work, BronxWorks strives for the highest ethical and performance standards. We are guided by the belief that people must be treated with dignity and respect, regardless of their present situation or past experiences. We have over 65 locations throughout the Bronx providing a variety of programs that assist in the areas of family, children and youth support, educational services, senior services, homelessness, financial empowerment, and workforce development, among others. With over 50 years of experience supporting Bronx communities, we are an employer of choice for anyone interested in a meaningful career in the social services field.

BronxWorks Legal Services – Early Intervention Team

BronxWorks Legal Services provides free legal assistance with immigration, housing, and crime-related matters. The Early Intervention Team helps low-income tenants avoid eviction through legal representation, public benefits advocacy, and housing support.

BronxWorks seeks attorneys and recent law graduates committed to social justice and housing stability. This role offers the opportunity to develop litigation skills, serve vulnerable communities, and help prevent displacement in the Bronx.

Key Responsibilities

Support Case Administration

• Conduct and assist with client eligibility screenings and intakes, entering information into the case management system. Collect required and relevant documentation, following up with clients as needed. Assess case status and category, and identify issues, claims, and defenses. Escalate time-sensitive and emergency legal issues to supervisory staff.
• Open, close, and maintain client files in electronic and hardcopy filing and data systems. Assist with data entry.
• Enter and maintain team case assignments in the database. Maintain an updated and accurate master court calendar for the team.
• Coordinate follow-up services including appointments, referrals, and client correspondence.
• Assist with electronic court filing as well as courthouse hard copy filings and document retrieval. Serve papers on other parties.
• Assist attorneys to prepare for court by organizing exhibits and assisting with other tasks as needed.
• Pick up and deliver checks from agencies and charities.
• Deliver or direct delivery of subpoenas to witnesses and parties to action.
• Coordinate and confirm deposition schedules with other parties.
• May provide oral and written assistance interpreting, translating, and using language assistance resources for non-English speaking clients.

Support Program Administration

• Provide general administrative and clerical support and cover duties for other program support personnel as needed.
• Prepare reports on client and services information.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

• Associate degree and two years applicable experience or bachelor’s degree.
• Excellent research, oral and written communication, and analytical skills.
• Strong attention to detail and concern for quality and accuracy.
• Excellent customer service and interpersonal skills. Able to effectively communicate and build trust with individuals from diverse backgrounds, external resource providers, and people experiencing crisis.
• High degree of professional ethics and integrity and ability to maintain confidentiality.
• Exceptional time management and organizational skills including the ability to manage a diverse and fast-paced caseload, multi-task, and produce quality work on tight deadlines.
• Proficiency in Microsoft office suite, including Outlook, Word, Excel, and Sharepoint, and other standard business technology, including electronic case management and communication systems.
• Must be able to work effectively within a team structure as well as independently

Preferred Qualifications & Plus Factors

• Verbal and written proficiency in a language other than English, especially Spanish or another language commonly spoken by Bronx residents.
• Prior paralegal experience in a litigation practice.
• Paralegal certificate.
• Demonstrated commitment to social justice and working in with low-income and vulnerable populations and communities of color to advance equity.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to use a computer for prolonged periods.
• Ability to occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds.
• Ability to stand, walk, or sit for long periods of time.
• Ability to climb five flights of stairs, if required to conduct home visits and/or fieldwork.
• Ability to travel in the boroughs of New York City and its adjacent counties via public transportation. 
• Ability to travel for a minimum of 1 mile within a reasonable amount of time and in all types of weather, including inclement weather, if required to conduct home visits and/or field work.

Equal Employment Opportunity

BronxWorks is committed to equal employment opportunity and providing reasonable accommodations to qualified candidates and employees pursuant to applicable law. This commitment applies to all terms, conditions, and privileges of employment, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, compensation, training and employee development, placement, promotion, demotion, upgrading, downgrading, transfer, layoff, and termination. 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, status as a victim of domestic violence, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law. If you require reasonable accommodation as part of the application process, please contact  View email address on ziprecruiter.com.