Low-Income Taxpayer Clinic Paralegal

ROCHESTER - LIBRARY

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 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 the Low-Income Taxpayer Clinic. This position will work closely and under the supervision of the Managing Attorney. 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.

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 for a Paralegal with 3 years of experience is $30,784, and the salary for a Paralegal with 20 years of experience is $55,536.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Travel to and work in the Rochester Library office is required to meet client and organizational needs.

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

• Must demonstrate high comfort and commitment to working with marginalized communities.

• Maintaining the highest standard of ethics and professionalism.

• Timely and accurately completing tasks and assignments, both in the office and hybrid setting.

• Timely and accurate entry of data into and maintenance of the Low-Income Taxpayer Clinic (LITC) databases, case management systems, and client files.

• Working closely with your assigned supervisor and participating in regular supervision meetings, including developing work plans and managing grant deliverables.

• Providing case support, including document preparation and data management.

• Conducting thorough and detailed client interviews as part of the intake process.

• Scheduling and follow-up of client and related meetings.

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

• Maintaining and growing the tax clinic's network of community partners.

• Attending and participating in outreach and networking events.

• Participating in LITC network meetings.

• Attending the yearly LITC grantee conference.

• Developing a thorough understanding of the general requirements for grant reporting.

• Assisting with the preparation of LITC grant applications and reports.

• Working effectively both independently and as part of a team.

• 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)

• Minimum of 3 years of experience as a paralegal.

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

• 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.

• 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.

• Strong document drafting skills.

• Experience with report writing.

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

• Ability to travel occasionally, as needed.

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