Intake Paralegal (Housing RTC Unit)

BROOKLYN LEGAL SERVICES SEEKS

INTAKE PARALEGALS FOR THE HOUSING PRACTICE RIGHT TO COUNSEL

Brooklyn Legal Services, a program of Legal Services NYC, is seeking two full-time Intake Paralegals to work in our Housing Unit-Right to Counsel practice.

Our Organization & Housing Unit

Brooklyn Legal Services (BLS) is part of Legal Services NYC (LSNYC) and provides high-quality, innovative representation to address the pressing legal needs of Brooklyn's diverse low-income population. BLS focuses on the problems that have the greatest impact on our clients — preserving affordable and decent housing, maintaining income support, redressing abusive lending and consumer practices, promoting family stability and mitigating the effects of domestic violence, and advocating for older adults and people with disabilities. Through our 3 neighborhood-based offices and outreach sites across the borough, our staff of over 160 people handled more than 12,000 cases in 2024.

As a community-centered, social justice organization, BLS is committed to fostering an inclusive and equitable workplace where staff and clients feel welcome. Through our various affinity groups and committees, we actively work to foster collegial relationships among staff and allow staff to explore and advocate for racial justice and anti-oppression growth within our organization and through our legal work. All employees are expected to learn about and seek to understand unconscious biases and systemic oppression and work to realize our organizational goals and mission.

The Housing Law Unit – Right to Counsel practice preserves affordable housing for Brooklyn's low income communities through the representation of low-income tenants in eviction proceedings, collaboration with community-based organizations, and affirmative litigation to challenge abusive and discriminatory behaviors that displace low-income families and eliminate affordable housing. Our Unit has partnered closely with the Human Resources Administration ("HRA") to launch and build a unit to support this ever-expanding Right to Counsel. The core of the team's work is to provide zealous legal representation to Brooklyn tenants facing eviction in Housing Court and administrative proceedings through aggressive litigation and creative advocacy, including handling appeals at all levels. In addition, we preserve housing subsidies and public benefits for our clients through both individual representation and cutting-edge litigation. We also provide advice and community education to tenants throughout Brooklyn at legal clinics and through Know Your Rights training. Our housing and public benefits staff will work hand in hand to achieve the greatest results for our clients and provide the highest quality holistic services.

The Opportunity

We are looking for candidates who are excited to work in a fast-paced environment to provide legal services to tenants facing eviction. The Intake Paralegal will be a part of the in-court Right to Counsel intake team, working closely with tenants, lawyers, the court, and community partners, and participate in our Right to Counsel courthouse intake in person. Currently, Housing Unit – Right to Counsel office is located in downtown Brooklyn.

The responsibilities of this position include:

• Conducting eligibility screenings of potential clients, including obtaining necessary demographic data and helping to identify the scope of a client's request for assistance;

• Conducting intake with eligible clients via telephone, video, and in-person at our offices and off-site;

• Entering and tracking client information in databases and grants management systems, running data reports and assisting in audit preparation;

• Opening and closing case files and ensuring compliance with program protocols;

• Coordinating follow-up services, and assisting case-handlers on client-related matters, including appointments, referrals, and client correspondences, and gathering documents and other information;

• Providing information, referrals and/or advice under the supervision of an attorney;

• Providing clients information on the status of their case, external referrals when we are unable to assist, and legal advice under the supervision of the attorney;

• Maintaining client-related files, including copying, scanning, uploading, and distributing documents;

• Using language-assistance resources, including translation and interpretation services.

Experience and Qualifications

• A demonstrated passion for social justice and a commitment to working with low-income communities and communities of color to advance equity;

• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment, juggle multiple deadlines, keep clear records, communicate proactively, and remain accountable to commitments;

• An excellent collaborator who enjoys working with, and being a part of a team;

• At least one or more years of experience working with low-income people; • Strong interest in working with clients in crisis;

• Comfort with speaking on the phone, and asking uncomfortable and at times invasive questions during the first conversation with a client;

• Ability to adapt to change and be flexible;

• Excellent interviewing, writing, organizational and communication skills;

• Experience creating and/or maintaining records, both paper and electronic;

• Skill with Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook, internet research and a willingness to learn and adapt to new technologies;

• A licensed notary or willingness to take the NYS notary public examination;

• Humility, a keen understanding of power and privilege, and a willingness to accept input and feedback, especially from clients.

Preferred Qualifications and Skills: Fluency in Spanish, Russian, Haitian-Creole, or another language commonly spoken in in Brooklyn is strongly preferred; Prior experience with legal intake processes; Proficiency with case management software.

How to Apply

Only candidates selected for interviews will be contacted. No telephone calls.

BLS offers a generous benefits package. Salary is commensurate with experience. LSNYC is an affirmative action, equal opportunity employer. People of color, women, people with disabilities, gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people, and people over the age of 40 are all welcomed and encouraged to apply.

All employees are strongly encouraged to continue to receive and maintain up-to-date COVID vaccinations unless they are unable to for medical or religious reasons.

Salary Range (Based on years' experience):

• 1-10 years: $51,883 - $64,096

• 11-20 years: $65,124 - $73,922

• 21 years: $76,724 - $83,706

(Rate paid will be prorated based on the hours worked)