Paralegal (Administrative), CAMBA Legal Services

Who We Are: CAMBA is a community of staff, volunteers, clients, donors, neighbors and partners who work together to build an inclusive New York City, where all children and adults have access to the resources and supports they need to thrive. We take a comprehensive approach by offering more than 180 integrated programs in: Education & Youth Development, Family Support, Job Training & Employment Support Services, Health, Housing, and Legal Services. We reach more than 72,000 individuals and families each year at our 100 locations, including 10,000 youth. CAMBA serves a diverse cross section of New Yorkers from new mothers in Brownsville to job seekers in the Rockaways. More than half of our clients are immigrants and refugees from around the globe. Over 85% of our families live in poverty, reflecting the challenges faced by nearly 1.7 million New Yorkers today.

CAMBA Legal Services, Inc. (CLS) is the legal services arm of CAMBA, Inc. CLS provides free civil legal services to low-income New Yorkers in the areas of consumer law, foreclosure prevention, immigration, housing law, and domestic violence assistance. In addition to providing direct representation and providing legal advice and counsel to thousands of clients, CAMBA attorneys also engage in legislative advocacy, impact litigation in both state and federal court, provide community education and offer expert training on a wide range of issues, services that allow members of our community improve their lives. CAMBA Legal Services – Housing Provides anti-eviction legal services to tenants, including advice and full representation in nonpayment and holdover proceedings, HP actions for repairs, HCR overcharge complaints, administrative hearings (NYCHA and HPD), Article 78 proceedings, and other related matters. Prospective clients must meet income eligibility guidelines (below the self-sufficiency standard).

Position: Paralegal (Administrative)

Reports To: Supervisor

Location: 20 Snyder Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11226

What Does the Paralegal (Administrative) Do

• Maintain professional relationships with clients and client confidentiality.
• Practice Universal Precautions/Standard Protocol & Procedures.
• Comply with any and all Federal, State, City and CAMBA security and privacy polices intended to protect the security and privacy of individually identifiable health information.
• Retrieve messages from general voicemail and forward to appropriate personnel.
• Take or deliver messages or transfer calls to voicemail when appropriate personnel are unavailable.
• Cover the front desk.
• Answer questions about organization and provide callers with addresses, directions, and other information.
• Welcome onsite visitors, determine nature of business, and announce visitors to appropriate personnel.
• Monitor visitor access when required.
• Update appointment and court calendars.
• Receive, sort, and route mail, and maintain and route publications.
• Maintain fax and copy machines, assist users, send faxes, and retrieve and route incoming faxes.
• Update site bulletin board as needed.
• Maintain the professional appearance of the front desk area. Create and print fax cover sheets, memo, correspondence, report, program marketing materials, and other document when necessary.
• Perform other clerical duties as needed, such as filing, photocopying, data entry and collating.
• Perform computer data entry/verification functions.
• Order, receive, and maintain office supplies.
• Maintain inventory of office supplies and order supplies as needed.
• Submit payments / payment requests to third-party vendors, e.g., TRW, VOIANCE, LexisNexis, UPS, NYC Bar, etc.
• Maintain package logs and legal documents.
• Collect and log money orders delivered to staff.
• Complete affidavits of service.
• Prescreen clients over the telephone for eligibility and schedule intake appointments.
• Refer clients to appropriate services both within and outside CAMBA.
• Assist with registering and closing client’s case files.
• Provide all required information for weekly/monthly/quarterly/annual reports.
• Prepare travel vouchers, when/if needed.
• Collect, deliver and ensure that any mail (i.e., via USPS, FedEx or interoffice) is delivered or collected daily.
• Interpret for clients and staff as needed; translate documents, forms, etc.
• Assess emergency situations and respond appropriately.
• Assist clients in completing CLS intake applications and forms.
• Conduct legal intake and assessment of clients and clients' families' situations and needs, and enter all relevant data into the data system
• Maintain accurate and comprehensive document/client files including up to date case note documentation.
• Pickup checks from agencies and/or charities and deliver to the office, court, or office of opposing counsel.
• Assist in communication with HRA benefits (e.g., request benefits issuance printouts, check application status, etc.).
• Assist in referral and client communication throughout duration of intake and/or case.
• May prepare marketing and outreach materials for the program.
• May conduct outreach to the community in order to inform the community of the legal services and to recruit clients.
• May maintain client data in relevant databases.
• May help with reporting and/or billing.
• May serve process, including subpoenas, provided the paralegal is licensed and adequately trained.
• Perform other related tasks as reasonably assigned, including in limited circumstances assisting with the tasks and responsibilities of case handling paralegals.
• Tasks may be modified, expanded and/or assigned over time.

Education, Licenses and/or Certifications Required

• Associate’s Degree (A.A.) and two years applicable experience or Bachelor's degree (B. A. or B.S.) and/or equivalent experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bi-lingual preferred (Spanish, Haitian Creole, French, Arabic, Russian, Urdu).

Compensation: $63,860 - $96,551 Annually

Status: Full-Time (Union Position) - Salary is per step on CBA Basic Salary Schedule

Benefits: CAMBA offers a comprehensive benefits package including health insurance, dental insurance, 403(b) retirement plan with employer match, paid time off (vacation, personal, and sick time), and paid holidays.

CAMBA and CAMBA Housing Ventures are proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. We value a diverse & inclusive workforce and do not discriminate based upon race, religion, color, national origin, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), or other applicable legally protected characteristics.