Disaster Recovery Screener & Community Engagement Coordinator

Disaster Recovery Screener & Community Engagement Coordinator 

Hybrid remote work schedule: 3 days in office/field and 2 days remote 

Base Office: Choice of Office in Marshall or Burnsville  

Position Status: Full-Time 

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

Job Posting 

Pisgah Legal Services (PLS) is a community-based non-profit legal aid agency governed by a local Board of Directors. Located in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Western North Carolina (WNC), Pisgah Legal Services provides free civil legal assistance to low-income people in WNC. The organization currently has offices in Asheville, Brevard, Burnsville, Cashiers, Hendersonville, Highlands, Marshall, Morganton, Newland, and Rutherfordton. With over 120 dedicated staff, including over 30 attorneys plus program staff, and an active group of 200 volunteer attorneys, the program provides free services to over 20,000 people per year to meet their basic needs, primarily in the poverty law areas of housing, public benefits, domestic violence prevention, health care, immigration, and consumer law.  

PLS seeks a full-time Disaster Recovery Screener & Community Engagement Coordinator who will work with our Community Outreach & Engagement and Disaster Recovery teams to assist with WNC disaster recovery efforts. Tasks will include building relationships with individuals and organizations in communities impacted by Tropical Storm Helene to connect storm survivors with resources and assistance, doing screening/application interviews with disaster survivors seeking legal services, helping to staff disaster-recovery events, including information sessions, resource fairs, and legal clinics, throughout WNC, and other tasks as our disaster recovery efforts evolve. This position will have a primary focus in Avery, Madison, Mitchell, and Yancey Counties, but will support disaster recovery efforts throughout all impacted WNC counties.  

Passion for reducing poverty, promoting justice and overcoming barriers facing low-income people, being a creative and zealous staff member and a team-player, being a resourceful and organized self-starter, and having a demonstrated commitment to achieving lasting results for clients and low-income communities are all important. 

Responsibilities  

• Commitment to PLS’ mission, values, and vision.
• Support community engagement and education and client access efforts related to Disaster Recovery.  
• Develop relationships in WNC communities impacted by Tropical Storm Helene to identify disaster survivors and connect them to information and resources. 
• Develop familiarity with PLS programs and work with supervisor to be able to share this information with community members and partners.  
• Screen applicants for eligibility, including at community-based sites and events throughout our 18-county service area, with a focus on Avery, Madison, Mitchell and Yancey Counties.
• Conduct applicant/client interviews with a trauma-informed approach.
• Organize, track and update relevant community partner contact information. 
• Attend community engagement events, meetings, trainings, etc., as needed.  
• Distribute community outreach materials to PLS staff and partners.  
• Engage community leaders/members and develop key community relationships and partnerships.  
• Work with the COE team to develop community engagement strategies that reflect our values of diversity, equity, inclusion, access and belonging.  
• Work with and supervise volunteers and interns as needed, and with the PLS Development Team. 
• Provide administrative support to the Managing Director of Community Engagement and to Pisgah Legal Services’ COE and disaster recovery teams.  
• Conduct community outreach with the Justice Bus, including driving the bus to locations around WNC.  
• Scheduling and meeting preparation.
• Adhere to program priorities and case handling policies, procedures, and standards of practice, as well as the highest professional and ethical standards.
• Travel within the PLS service area in Western North Carolina and to meetings or conferences in other parts of NC. 
• Some evening and weekend work required. 

Qualifications 

• Passion for and commitment to PLS’ mission, values, and vision.
• Possess a valid driver’s license.
• Associate degree/bachelor’s degree or equivalent professional experience.
• Demonstrated skills at socio-economic and cultural sensitivity and the ability to work with someone who is angry, upset, or ill. 
• Demonstrated commitment to values of diversity, equity, inclusion, access, and belonging.
• Strong organizational skills. 
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with attention to detail. 
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work well with teams and independently.
• Residence and/or strong connections in Avery, Madison, Mitchell, and/or Yancey Counties are not required but are a plus. Commitment to doing extensive work in these counties and developing connections there is required. 
• Flexibility and adaptability are key as our disaster recovery work evolves to meet community needs. 
• Spanish-language skills are not required but are a plus.
• Basic computer skills with proficiency in Microsoft Word and Excel. 

Salary/ Benefits 

Salary ranges from $45,143 - $65,338 depending on experience. Additional bilingual language skills that are applicable to this role may qualify for up to an additional $3k upon completing a language assessment test.  

Our salary scale is predetermined based on the years of relative professional work experience that qualify for this position to ensure equity in pay.  Pisgah Legal Services is a Living Wage Certified Employer. 

Employees are eligible for medical, dental, vision and life insurance coverage the 1st of the month following the start date.  Pisgah Legal Services (PLS) pays 100% of the Employee and 50% of the Dependent Cost for BCBS Medical and Dental coverage.  PLS pays 50% of the Employee Coverage Cost for BCBS Vision coverage.   PLS pays 100% of Long-Term & Short-Term Disability Coverage, Life Insurance Coverage of 5x base salary an additional $15,000 Life & AD&D Coverage.  401k Retirement Plan after 6 months of employment.  Additional Fringe Benefits includes Pet Insurance, Paid Parental Leave, Paid Bereavement Leave, 13.5 Company Holidays, 22 Paid Leave Days, Paid Sabbatical Leave for eligible staff, Employee Assistance Program for entire household and a great working environment with work life balance!  Click here to view our 2025 Benefits Guide. 

To Apply 

Submit your online application with resume and cover letter through our Career Center located at https://www.pisgahlegal.org/jobs. 

PLS invites all applicants to include in their cover letter a statement about how your unique background and/or experiences might contribute to the diversity, cultural vitality, and perspective of our staff and legal services practice.  

Pisgah Legal Services is committed to creating a diverse, inclusive environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status. 

As an Equal Opportunity Employer, we will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified persons with disabilities. Prospective and current employees are encouraged to discuss ADA accommodations with our Human Resources department.