Homelessness Prevention Paralegals – Albany Office
The Legal Aid Society of Northeastern New York, a nonprofit civil legal services program, is seeking to hire paralegals to work with attorneys in our office located in Albany, New York to prevent homelessness and promote housing stability.
Our mission is to fight for fairness, dignity, and justice for those living in poverty and for a society which is inclusive and equitable for all. We transform lives, build community, and empower people by using the law to address individual and systemic wrongs and inequities.
We seek paralegals who will be dedicated to our mission and will seek justice and fairness for households at risk of homelessness. We are skilled, creative, and compassionate advocates combining a passion to serve with the skills and will to address both individual and systemic injustice. We take pride in providing holistic services to our clients with a wide range of programs and substantive law expertise and are stepping up to assist our communities in this time of crisis.
We are an integral part of the legal and human service community and expect our staff to be deeply involved in the network of government, community members, housing and shelter providers and others dedicated to combatting and preventing homelessness at a time when housing is more important than ever.
The positions are located in Albany, New York, a family friendly community, with a reasonable cost of living, excellent quality of life, and easy access to major metropolitan areas as well as year-round outdoor opportunities. Our office is collegial and supportive workplaces, encouraging and supporting staff development, and diversity, equity and inclusion.
Responsibilities: The paralegals working alongside our attorneys will implement LASNNY’s Homelessness Prevention program and a pilot Right to Counsel initiative in the City of Albany. The attorneys and paralegals will provide legal assistance to households who are at risk of homelessness by preventing evictions, securing mainstream benefits, and making referrals to services which will enhance the household’s ability to maintain permanent housing. The paralegals will conduct outreach, education, and marketing and initial screening of program clients. In Albany, a paralegal with both a legal and social work background will provide intensive case management services to high need families. The paralegals will assist the attorneys in providing eviction representation and will provide direct legal representation in administrative matters such as public assistance or other cases under the supervision of an attorney. They will also be responsible for making necessary referrals to relevant social services, financial assistance, and income maintenance programs. As needed, they will provide follow-up referrals to help to stabilize other aspects of a client’s household, including educational advancement, medical care, and better alternative housing. The paralegals will participate in the communities’ Coordinated Entry and other referral and services networks and work collaboratively with government and nonprofit agencies, which provide supportive services, income, shelter, permanent supportive housing, homelessness prevention and rapid rehousing services and financial assistance to homeless and at-risk households. They will also participate in the implementation of LASNNY’s race equity priority and their own professional development plan.
Requirements: Associate degree, 4 to 10 years of experience in serving the low-income community or equivalent experience. A Bachelors degree is preferred for the paralegal providing intensive case management. Applicants must demonstrate a strong commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion and to housing justice. Must be intelligent, hardworking, careful, reliable, have good judgment, attention to detail and a demonstrated commitment and sensitivity to the low-income community. Must be able to communicate effectively with clients and staff, work independently and efficiently and be able to problem solve and work collaboratively with community partner agency staff. Demonstrated strong listening and relationship building skills, empathy, creativity and ability to conduct, outreach education and marketing campaigns. Must be willing to travel, attend court, hearings and community events, have a car and driver’s license. Strong computer, administrative, reporting and data entry skills required. Ability to speak Spanish strongly preferred. Lived experience, case management and social work training and experience preferred.
Salary Range: $33,542 to $41,484 DOE We are a unionized program, and our fringe benefits are excellent.
Application deadline: Until filled
Applications should include a cover letter, resume, references and writing sample
To apply, please:
1) Complete the Application linked here, or the mobile-friendly application linked here
2) Complete the Demographic Survey linked here
LASNNY is committed to the creation of an inclusive and diverse workplace and providing Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action to all applicants. We strongly encourage applications from women, BIPOC, LGBTQ persons, protected veterans, applicants and recipients of public assistance, the elderly and people with disabilities.
