Public Benefits Paralegal

Employment Status: Full-Time

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

Practice Group: Public Benefits

I. Organization Information

Empire Justice Center, a diverse and highly respected statewide legal services organization,

seeks a paralegal for our Public Benefits practice group. This is an opportunity to join and grow

in one of the most influential organizations serving marginalized low-income individuals and

families in New York State.

Empire Justice Center attracts and employs a diverse team of dedicated, determined, and

passionate advocates who significantly impact the lives of low-income New Yorkers. We

succeed through direct legal representation, high-impact litigation, and legislative and

administrative advocacy. As an organization, we provide top-notch training and technical

assistance to other advocates to ensure fairness and justice for New Yorkers. We thrive on our

commitment to supporting justice for populations that have historically experienced high levels

of oppression. These populations include racially diverse individuals and families experiencing

poverty, housing insecurity, immigration issues, and domestic violence. Additionally, the

organization advocates for people with disabilities, members of the LGBTQ community, and

school-age children facing discrimination and violations of their civil rights in schools.

Our offices in Rochester, Albany, Westchester County, and Long Island offer staff an exciting,

dynamic, inclusive working environment with a solid commitment to work/life balance,

teamwork, diversity, wellness, and personal/professional development.

II. Position Summary

Empire Justice Center is pleased to announce an opening for a paralegal in our Public

Benefits practice group. The paralegal will work with a team of attorneys on cases in

state and federal court, assist the benefits team on policy initiatives, and assist with

Freedom of Information Requests and research.

III. Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Travel to and work in the Albany or Rochester – Telesca Center, New York office is

required to meet client and organizational needs.

o Hybrid. If the position is filled locally, it is eligible for a hybrid work request under

the organizational policy.

• Must demonstrate high comfort and commitment to working with disadvantaged and

disabled clientele.

• Conducting intake interviews for potential clients and entering their information into the

Empire Justice Center case management system;

• Organizing online case files using Empire Justice Center case management systems;

• Engaging in investigations, including gathering documents from clients, requesting

records, interviewing clients and potential witnesses, and gathering and compiling data;

• Coordinating client service and contacts, including scheduling appointments with

attorneys;

• Sending case updates to team attorneys, providing referrals, and engaging in other

communication about clients and cases;

• Providing legal information to clients and others under the supervision of an attorney;

• Running selected database reports and utilizing Excel sheets and formulas to track and

organize statewide data;

• Maintaining and updating the referral database and providing outside referrals;

• Managing and closing client files;

• Preparing legal documents with proficiency in Word and Adobe;

• Researching and drafting memoranda;

• E-filing papers and pleadings in state and federal court;

• Reviewing documents;

• Assisting case handlers in damages and attorneys’ fees calculations;

• Drafting affidavits;

• Calendaring and tracking court or settlement deadlines;

• Responding to telephone and email inquiries from advocates, clients, and potential class

members;

• Assisting with monitoring compliance with court orders.

• Assisting attorneys in the preparation of memoranda or other documents for state

legislative offices in support of lobbying efforts;

• Other duties as assigned by your supervisor and/or to meet the organization’s needs.

IV. Minimum Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities)

• Minimum of 3 years of professional experience;

• Experience in and commitment to working with impoverished clientele;

• Exceptional recordkeeping and communication skills;

• Ability to collaborate and work within a team;

• Document drafting;

• Appointment scheduling;

• Case management skills;

• Administrative skills;

• Organizational skills;

V. Preferred Qualifications

• Bilingual (Spanish/English interpretation and translation);

VI. Salary

The referenced pay range/scale represents this job's estimated minimum and maximum

compensation. Individual annual salaries/hourly rates will be set within the job's compensation

range and determined by considering factors including, but not limited to, education,

experience, qualifications, expertise of the individual, market data, and internal equity

considerations.

The salary for a paralegal with 3 years of experience is $30,784, and the salary for a

paralegal with 19 years of experience is $54,080.

VII. Benefits

We are an organization that supports and encourages a work/life balance. Empire Justice

Center offers a generous benefit package including:

• Health insurance (employer pays 100% premium for a high quality, co-pay plan).
• 403(b) eligibility with 1% employer match and additional employer contribution.
• 3% Non-Elective Annual Contribution made by Empire Justice Center.

o 14 Paid Holidays
o Vacation: 10.5 hours/month; Sick: 7 hours/month; Personal: 35 hours/year

• Bilingual salary enhancement for qualifying employees.
• Loan Repayment Assistance Program.
• Voluntary Supplemental Disability.
• Dental Insurance (employee paid).
• Vision Insurance (employee paid).
• $150K Group Term Life Insurance.
• Generous Bereavement Leave.
• 35-hour full-time work week.

• NYS Short-Term Disability.
• FSA Eligibility.

Empire Justice Center is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer and strongly

desires a diverse and inclusive workforce. Empire Justice Center provides equal employment

opportunities to all employees and applicants. It prohibits discrimination and harassment of any

type, specifically - race, color, religion, age (40 or older), sex (including pregnancy and gender

identity), national origin, disability status, genetics, neurodiversity, protected veteran status,

sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by

federal, state, or local laws.

TO APPLY: Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. If interested, e-mail a

resume, writing sample, and contact information for three professional references (one

supervisor required) who are aware of this application to employment@empirejustice.org.

Please include “Public Benefits Paralegal, First/Last Name” in the email's subject line. No

phone calls or hard copies, please. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

If reasonable accommodations are needed, please contact Mercedece Love, Human

Resources and Compliance Manager, at mlove@empirejustice.org. Empire Justice Center is

committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, Empire

Justice Center ensures that persons with disabilities and/or communication barriers have

reasonable accommodations.