Member Services Paralegal

WE ARE CASA & CASA IN ACTION SYNOPSIS:
We Are CASA’s mission is to create a more just society by building power and improving the quality of life in working class Black, Latino/a/e, Afro-descendant, Indigenous, and Immigrant communities. Rooted in the collective power of our community, our inclusive, permanent, member-led movement radically transforms communities and systems to ensure the needs, dreams, and aspirations of members are fully met as we strive for justice and full liberation at home and in solidarity with others across the world. We Are CASA has a sister organization, CASA in Action, a separate, but related, nonprofit organization that is exempt from federal income tax under section 501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code. Although We Are CASA and CASA in Action share a common goal of supporting immigrants and low-income people in Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Virginia, they are separate organizations with their own board of directors. A set of employees at the two organizations, including the person filling this position, shares their time between the two organizations. This has no effect on salary or benefits.

DEPARTMENT SYNOPSIS:
The legal program at We Are CASA operates under the principles of Justice is the goal, law is a means. It is a marathon, not a sprint. We endeavor to find the most creative strategies to combat the abuses and injustices identified by our constituents. We value justice in the largest sense possible, not only one person at a time legal solutions, but broad, transformative solutions created in combination with immigrant leaders, We Are CASA organizers and other staff, other local and national organizations and direct service staff. We value our time and believe that through hard and sustained effort is often required, real rest is also necessary for creativity, stamina and “a life,” however defined.

POSITION SUMMARY :
The Member Services Paralegal provides general, as well as case and project support to the Legal Department, while helping to support the broader efforts of We Are CASA’s Legal Department, as assigned by their supervisor. A We Are CASA paralegal is on the front line in advocating for, and working alongside our members in different spaces. We Are CASA paralegals work with a dynamic group of attorneys, organizers, advocates, and social service staff in a friendly and fast-paced environment.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Solve problems presented by We Are CASA members and others identified by the organization as high-priority or urgent.
• Conduct initial client intake and case assessment; work creatively to assist clients, including assisting with legal work, research, writing, advocacy, negotiations & referrals.
• Under supervision of We Are CASA attorney, assist clients with resolving legal issues in the areas of housing, employment and/or immigration, and other related tasks.
• Administratively support legal team by ordering office supplies, coordinating volunteers, case file management, accounting, and publicizing legal services.
• Compile and publish information in one or more areas of expertise by writing referral guides, updating on-line guides and writing community education publications. 
• Develop and cultivate network of partners who can provide case assistance, including by creating and maintaining an up-to-date referral list for clients, and by serving as a liaison between We Are CASA and relevant partners.
• Conduct community education “Know Your Rights” (KYR) sessions and community outreach.
• Maintain documentation of all client contact and service provision.
• Support We Are CASA’s power building activities, including by referring clients to We Are CASA’s community organizing Department and collaborating with other Departments to achieve organizational objectives and advance relevant campaigns.
• Attend on-going training workshops relevant to work.
• Compile monthly reports with statistics and written narrative explanations of activities and results.  
• Participate in annual planning; compile and report statistic and narratives regarding clients/cases; identify spokespeople for campaigns and media.
• Provide high quality customer service, interactions and responses to all members, partner organizations, vendors, visitors, callers and any other individual or organization you may encounter in your role with We Are CASA. 
• Support the development and expansion of We Are CASA membership program and services. 
• Maintain a positive attitude. 
• Other duties assigned by supervisor related to position.

EDUCATION/CERTIFICATION/LICENSURE:

• Bachelors degree or minimum of two years of experience performing related work.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES REQUIRED:

• Knowledge of legal ethics rules, including the boundary between legal assistance and legal advice, and consistent adherence to those rules.
• Excellent computer skills, including Microsoft Word and Excel and other databases, and willingness to learn other needed computer programs.  Familiarity with Salesforce is a plus.
• Bilingual English/Spanish (written and spoken). French is a plus.
• Excellent customer service skills and ability to handle changing situations and walk-in and phone requests.
• Quick learner, able to prioritize tasks in stressful situations.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Experience providing legal services to immigrant or low-income communities.

COMPENSATION: $24.04 - $26.42

BENEFITS DESCRIPTION:
Who is eligible?

• All full time and part time permanent positions working 20 hours or more per week.

What we offer:

• Generous paid time off , including: annual leave starting at three weeks per year (proportional accrual per pay period), two weeks of sick leave, three days of personal leave, and additional compensatory leave for exempt employees.
• Sixteen (16) paid holidays per calendar year.
• Excellent Benefits Package including employer paid benefits as follow:
  • Health, dental, and vision insurance (We Are CASA pays 100% of the premium costs for the employee up to our HMO plan, 55% for couples, 65% for children, and 60% for family)
  • Basic life and AD&D
  • Long and Short Term Disability insurance
  • Professional Development: Those pursuing a course of study related to work performed at We Are CASA may be eligible for a reimbursement up to $3,000.
  • Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Additional voluntary benefits: 
  • FSA Account including Dependent Care.
  • 401(k) retirement plan with a 2% employer discretionary match.
  • Supplemental Health insurance
• Allowances:
  • Mileage reimbursements for those positions that are required to drive on We Are CASA business.
  • Cell phone stipend for those positions that are required to use their cellphone for We Are CASA business .

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to sit; use hands to finger, do repetitive motions, handle, or feel and reach with hands and arms.

The employee is occasionally required to stand and walk. The employee must rarely lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision and ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is rarely exposed to wet and/or humid conditions and outside weather conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

ADA:   We Are CASA will make reasonable accommodations in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.

OSHA:   This role is not to handle any human body fluids, biological agents, laboratory chemicals, or be exposed to hazardous materials such as noise, asbestos, or carcinogens.

This is a union position, represented in collective bargaining by a Collective Bargaining Agreement with the Communication Workers of America, Local WBNG 32035 - Communication Workers of America (CWA). If you are offered and accept this position, you will be invited to become a member of the union. All bargaining unit positions require membership or agency fee payer status.

We Are CASA and CASA in Action do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, mental or physical disability, ancestry, marital status or national origin.

This job description will be reviewed periodically as duties and responsibilities change with business necessity. Essential and marginal job functions are subject to modification. Nothing in this job description restricts management's right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.