Low-Income Taxpayer Clinic Paralegal

Employment Status: Full-Time 

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt 

Practice Group/Team: Low-Income Taxpayer Clinic

Organization Information

Empire Justice Center, a diverse and highly respected statewide legal services organization, seeks a Low-Income Taxpayer Clinic Paralegal for our Low-Income Taxpayer Clinic. 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 achieve success through direct legal representation, high-impact litigation, and effective legislative and administrative advocacy. As an organization, we provide top-notch training and technical assistance to other advocates, ensuring 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 provide staff with an exciting, dynamic, and inclusive working environment, characterized by a solid commitment to work-life balance, teamwork, diversity, wellness, and personal and professional development. 

Position Summary 

Empire Justice Center is pleased to announce an opening for a paralegal in the Low-Income Taxpayer Clinic (LITC). The LITC Paralegal will conduct client intakes, perform case management, maintain client records, communicate with clients regarding case issues, assist with grant applications and reports, and conduct outreach and educational events to educate the community about the basics of American tax issues. This position will work closely with and under the supervision of the Managing Attorney.

Salary

The referenced pay range or scale represents the estimated minimum and maximum compensation for this job. Individual annual salaries or hourly rates will be set within the job's compensation range and determined by considering factors, including but not limited to, education, experience, qualifications, individual expertise, market data, and internal equity considerations.

The salary range for this position is $40,000-$55,536.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities 

· Travel to and work in the Rochester Telesca Center office is required to meet client and organizational needs.

o This position is eligible for a hybrid work request under the organizational policy.

· Engage in administrative duties, including but not limited to taking and returning phone calls, answering correspondence, filing, copying, and scanning.

· Conduct intake interviews for potential clients and accurately enter their information into the Empire Justice Center case management system. 

· Coordinate client service and contacts, including scheduling appointments with attorneys. 

· Send case updates to practice group attorneys and engage in other communication about clients and cases. 

· Provide legal information to clients and others under the supervision of an attorney. 

· Maintain confidentiality of client information and files.

· Maintain the highest standard of ethics and professionalism.

· Timely and accurately complete tasks and assignments, including entry of data into and maintenance of the Low-Income Taxpayer Clinic (LITC) databases, case management systems, and client files.

· Provide case support, including document preparation and data management.

· Conduct thorough and detailed client interviews as part of the intake process.

· Schedule and follow up on client and related meetings.

· Teach the basics of the American tax system to low-income and English as a Second Language (ESL) community members and students.

· Maintain and grow the tax clinic's network of community partners.

· Attend and participate in outreach and networking events.

· Participate in LITC network meetings and attend the yearly LITC grantee conference.

· Develop a thorough understanding of the general requirements for grant reporting. 

· Assist with the preparation of LITC grant applications and reports. 

· Work closely with your assigned supervisor and participate in regular supervision meetings, including developing work plans and managing grant deliverables.

· Work effectively both independently and as part of a team.

· Ability to work in the office and the community, as determined by the supervisor.

· Ability to travel occasionally, as needed.

· Due to limited resources, all staff members are expected to perform administrative and other support-related duties to serve our clients and fulfill our mission as a non-profit legal services organization.

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

 Minimum Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities) 

· Demonstrated excellence in utilizing the Microsoft Office Suite (Outlook, Word, Excel, SharePoint, PowerPoint), with the ability to quickly learn and adapt to other applications. 

· Must demonstrate strong communication skills, including proficiency in technology that facilitates the delivery of communication, documents, and other materials. 

· Ability to communicate effectively in written language.

· Demonstrated case management experience.

· Practice effective time management and demonstrate an ability to meet deadlines. 

· Strong presentation and public communication skills.

· Exceptional recordkeeping skills. 

· Ability to schedule appointments and manage calendars.

· Administrative skills, including database and file management 

· Must demonstrate excellence in technology systems, facilitating the creation and delivery of communication, documents, and record-keeping, among other tasks. 

· Skilled in problem management.

· Strong organizational skills and adept at managing multiple priorities.

· Strong document drafting skills.

· Experience with report writing.

· Must demonstrate high comfort and commitment to working with disadvantaged clientele.

· Experience in and commitment to working with marginalized communities.

· Ability to regularly lift to 5 lbs. and occasionally lift to 10 lbs.

Physical and Mental Requirements

· Effective decision-making skills and ability to work under pressure.

· Ability to shift priorities while working on multiple competing projects.