Legal Advocate, Housing Justice

Position:


Legal Advocate, Housing Justice
Location:


Philadelphia, PA
Reports to:


Director, Housing Justice
Direct Reports: N/A
Project:


Housing Justice
Hours of Work:


9 AM-5 PM

Work setting: Hybrid, currently minimum 2 days per week in-office requirement. Subject to increase.
Classification:


Exempt
Travel:


As needed

Background:

Founded in 1978, SeniorLAW Center is a dynamic nonprofit public interest legal services organization whose mission is to seek justice for older people by using the power of the law, educating the community and advocating on local, state and national levels. We are the only non-profit agency in Pennsylvania wholly dedicated to providing legal assistance to older persons and protecting their legal rights, and one of few in the nation. SeniorLAW Center prioritizes services to older people who are low-income, cultural and racial minorities, the disabled, victims of crime and family violence, and those facing other vulnerabilities and challenges. We fight senior poverty, fraud and homelessness, provide protection from elder abuse and financial exploitation, enable grandparents to raise grandchildren, and improve access to justice.

Position Summary:

The Legal Advocate, Housing Justice provides direct legal services to and engages in education and advocacy on behalf of older low-income or vulnerable tenants and homeowners who are facing housing instability or homelessness due to eviction, landlord-tenant issues, foreclosure, tangled title, or other situations putting their home at risk. Additionally, this position will perform professional duties in the administration and coordination of the PA SeniorLAW HelpLine/Intake Line.

Role-Based Duties and Responsibilities:

Client related
• Handle all aspects of client intake, including, but not limited to:
o retrieving, transcribing, and performing prescreen data entry in the case management system
o screening and interviewing walk-in and/or emergency clients in coordination with other staff conducting intake
o conducting client interviews by telephone or in person to screen for eligibility for services
o scheduling, canceling, and confirming client appointments
o reviewing on-line intake and/or e-transfers
o reviewing agency-wide project-related checklists with project clients.
o maintenance of attorney clinic slots in case management system
• Assist project staff with case-related tasks including but not limited to:
o preparing and mailing retainers and letters,
o drafting court documents
o communicating with clients or third parties via telephone, email, text message or other by other means
o assisting in preparation of case files for hearing/trial
o assisting in maintenance of case files and case management database
o providing support to attorneys at court, as needed
o conducting home visits to frail or homebound clients
o handling other case or client related tasks as necessary
o working with project partners to facilitate referrals for intake
• Utilize Language line or other interpretation services for Limited English Proficient (LEP) older adults.
• Provide information and referrals to older tenants, linking them to other resources and supportive services, including emergency financial assistance, support groups, health services, and other resources.

Community Outreach and Education
• Represent SeniorLAW Center at professional committees/coalitions related to homeowner and landlord- tenant issues to advocate for better services and access to justice for older people.
• Aid in the preparation and presentation of legal education workshops to older people.
• Aid in the development of educational materials and resources for older people and "best practices" resources for professionals.
• Aid in planning, organizing, and attending community outreach and tabling events.
• Coordinate with Project Director to update website, E-News, and other communication tools with project related information.

Additional Responsibilities:
• Participate in scheduled project-related meetings.
• Participate in staff and Legal team meetings.
• Provide support to other colleagues agency wide as needed.
• Assist with on-boarding staff as needed.
• Become knowledgeable of and follow all SeniorLAW Center's personnel and legal policies and procedures.
• Demonstrate and model commitment to SeniorLAW Center's mission and values.
• Participate in SeniorLAW Center's culture of philanthropy and events to support the organization.
• Assist with quality control and case management data collection and reporting, as necessary.
• Other responsibilities to further mission of the project and organization.

Project-Based Duties and Responsibilities:

Client-related
• Review eviction notices, foreclosure documents, complaints, and other legal forms with and request titles searches for clients at intake and afterwards.
• Help conduct intake and review documentation for the SeniorLAW Center staff attorney covering the Lawyer of the Day (LOTD) program at court.
• Provide advocacy and referrals to SeniorLAW Center clients with the primary focus on older tenants facing housing instability, homelessness, and other housing related issues.
• Assist in the preparation of client submissions/applications, including but not limited to medical assistance, lien hardship applications and other homeowner-related assistance and programs.
• Assist clients with housing searches.
• Assist with maintenance of resources and referral information for older tenants and homeowners.
• Assist with other special projects, as needed.
• Assist with tenant and homeowner focused community clinics and client councils.

Systemic Advocacy
• Identify systemic problems affecting older tenants and work with our local, statewide, and national partners to develop solutions.


Other Duties:
Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time, with or without notice.

Required Education and Experience:
• B.A. or B.S.
• At least two (2) years' experience in a legal services program, law office or as a housing counselor, clinical social worker, or paralegal

Preferred Education and Experience:
• Experience with older adults, especially regarding housing issues
• Second language proficiency preferred
• Paralegal experience

Required Knowledge, Skills, Abilities & Behaviors:
• Must be a motivated self-starter
• Must possess high quality advocacy skills
• Highly professional, organized, energetic, flexible, and culturally sensitive
• Excellent writing, organizational, interpersonal and presentation skills
• Interest and ability to work with older people and persons of different backgrounds

Work Conditions:
• This job operates in a professional office environment.
• This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, and photocopiers.

Physical Demands:
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 with or without accommodation. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to stand, walk, use hands to finger, handle, feel or operate objects, tools, or controls; and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to sit; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl; talk or hear. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move objects up to 10 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

Join a dynamic team serving and making a real impact in the community and in individual lives, pursuing a mission of justice. This is a full-time exempt hybrid position based in Philadelphia, with a minimum in-person presence of at least 2 days/week in Philadelphia. The person in the role must be flexible and able to come into the office more as needed and be readily accessible for intake questions and issues.


Salary range is commensurate with years of experience and SeniorLAW Center's salary structure: starting salary $46,500. Excellent benefits, including fully paid health and dental for employee, long- and short-term disability, 401k, flexible spending plan, sabbatical plan, and generous holidays and leave time, with a value of over $20,000.


SeniorLAW Center has a Mandatory COVID-19 Vaccination Policy for all staff and volunteers.

SeniorLAW Center is an equal opportunity employer and values fostering an inclusive and welcoming workplace in all aspects of our work. SeniorLAW Center prohibits discrimination based on age, race, national origin, color, religion, veteran status, sexual orientation, disability, sex, gender identity, familial status, or any other basis prohibited by law. We encourage people of all backgrounds to apply.