Public Benefits Paralegal - Rochester

Employment Status: Full-Time

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt 

Practice Group: Public Benefits

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.

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. 

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 range for this position is $40,000-$54,080.

Benefits

We are an organization that supports and promotes a healthy work-life balance. Empire Justice Center offers a generous benefit package including:

• 35-hour full-time work week.

• Employee Wellness Activities.

• Health Insurance Coverage

o Employer pays 100% premium for a high-quality, co-pay insurance plan.

• 403(b) eligibility - immediately eligible to begin contributing from your paycheck.

• Immediate vesting upon hire - ALL contributions (both employee and employer).

• 1% employer match is eligible after 12 months of employment.

• 3% Non-Elective Annual Contribution made by Empire Justice Center.

o Benefit is eligible after 12 months of employment.

• Generous vacation, sick, personal, and holiday time.

• 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.

• 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, 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. 

· 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 the Empire Justice Center case management system. 

 · 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 preparing memoranda or other documents for state legislative offices in support of lobbying efforts.

· Working closely with your assigned supervisor and participating in regular supervision meetings, including work plan development.

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

Minimum Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities) 

· Commitment to assisting clients affected by public benefits law and commitment to the foundational concept that the state must provide aid and care for low-income people. 

· Commitment to developing a knowledge of public benefits law.

· Experience in and commitment to working with marginalized communities.

· Ability to work collaboratively in a team and manage work independently.

· Exceptional recordkeeping and communication skills.

· Document drafting experience. 

· Appointment scheduling.

· Case management skills.

· Administrative skills.

· Strong analytical and communication skills.

· Excellent time management and organizational skills, including the ability to manage deadlines.

· Ability to use office and computer technology, including case management systems and  Microsoft Office Suite.

Preferred Qualifications 

· Bilingual (Spanish/English interpretation and translation).

TO APPLY: Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. If interested, please visit our “Work With Us” employment page on our website at www.empirejustice.org. Please submit a complete application, including a resume, writing sample, and contact information for three professional references (one supervisor is required). Please refrain from making phone calls or sending hard copies. 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.