Paralegal

This is responsible administrative and legal support work within the Office Compliance and Legal Affairs, involving the coordination and support of the Departments legal, compliance, and administrative functions. Efficiently handles a wide variety of issues, concerns, situations, and assignments involving confidential and sensitive matters. Provides coordination of clerical and administrative functions of the Department and assists with legal and compliance-related projects and activities. Responsible for highly confidential and time-sensitive material. Efficiently prepares routine and advanced correspondence, including letters, memoranda, reports, legal documents, and other departmental materials. Must be familiar with a variety of legal and compliance concepts, practices, procedures, and terminology applicable to the Authoritys operations. Relies on experience and judgment to effectively plan, prioritize, and accomplish assigned goals. May coordinate, direct, or assist with the work of others as assigned. Researches information and is responsible for the compilation and preparation of various reports, presentations, legal and compliance materials, and responses to inquiries. A wide degree of initiative, discretion, independent judgment, creativity, and latitude is expected. Essential Duties and Responsibilities The position duties and responsibilities listed below describe the general nature and scope of work. Other responsibilities, duties, and skills may be required and assigned, as needed. Provides administrative support to Compliance and Legal Affairs, Division of Housing Compliance, Board Members and other key agency personnel as assigned.Assists with legal research and document preparation.Coordinates, prepares, and attends various meetings and records minutes and produces meeting reports.Screens and distributes incoming mail, email and telephone calls and responds to and resolves issues and complaints; refers remaining issues to appropriate staff; maintains tracks and follows up on a suspense log of required actions/deadlines.Coordinates and schedule meetings, appointments, and travel arrangements for department staff.Facilitates communication between Board members, Executive Office, and other Executives.Assists the Authority in professional and public relations initiatives.Manages and maintains the department's files, databases, and archives.Assists with legal projects as needed, including contract preparation and review, legal research, due diligence, real estate and redevelopment matters, public and affordable housing matters, landlord-tenant matters, procurement, regulatory compliance, and other legalmatters affecting the Authority.Verifies and reviews materials for completeness and conformance with established regulations and procedures; applies applicable policies and procedures in determining completeness of applications, records, and reports.Establishes, reviews, researches, and implements office procedures, standards, priorities, and deadlines related to assigned functions.Develops budget estimates; monitors and controls budget status and expenditures; performs record keeping for various funds and expenditures.Prepares information about department program, projects, services, and operations to internal and external entities.Keeps department informed of significant and important items requiring staff review or action.Attends meetings on behalf of supervisor or work unit.Serves as liaison between Department and other Departments, particularly Low Income Public Housing, Real Estate and Community Development, and Housing Choice Voucher Program, transmitting documents and requesting status information.May provide guidance and direction to lower-level clerical workers; reviews work for accuracy, timeliness and conformance with instructions and standard practices; evaluates performance and provides training.Assists FOIA Officer in completing FOIA requests, to include compiling all records necessary to respond to such a request and draft responses.Handles confidential and sensitive information with discretion.Performs other related work as assigned. Job Qualifications & Skills Experience with legal review and drafting.Familiarity with legal compliance and regulations.Experience working in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.Strong attention to detail and organizational skills.Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.Ability to work independently and as part of a team.Proficiency in Microsoft Office and legal research databases.Ability to maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive information. Education and/or Experience The following requirements may be used to evaluate applicants for employment. When applicable, equivalent substitution will be allowed for differences in experience and education Education: Bachelor's degree in a related field or equivalent experience. Paralegal certification is a plus. Experience: 2+ years of administrative support experience in a legal or related field. Strength Requirements Sedentary Work involves exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally or a negligible amount of force frequently to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects, including the human body. Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time but may involve walking or standing for briefperiods of time. Jobs may be defined as Sedentary when walking and standing are required only occasionally, and all other Sedentary criteria are met. Work Environment The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. This is an office environment. The noise level in the work environment is moderate.