Paralegal - Bilingual (Spanish - English) Full Time
Legal
Aid Society of Mid-New York, Inc. - New Paltz Office
Farmworker
Law Project (FLP)
The Legal Aid Society of Mid-New York (LASMNY), Inc. is committed to a
diverse, well balanced and inclusive workforce.
We strongly encourage applicants from all backgrounds and walks of life
to apply for our positions. Women,
people of color, LGBTQ people, veterans and people with disabilities are
encouraged to apply.
Position - The Legal Aid
Society of Mid-New York, Inc. (LASMNY) is actively seeking a Paralegal - Bilingual
(Spanish - English) for its Farmworker Law Project (FLP) located
in New Paltz, New York. The New Paltz office represents migrant and
seasonal farm, nursery and food processing workers across New York State.
Location - The
office is located in the college town of New Paltz in the Hudson Valley near
the Catskill Mountains, an area known for hiking, biking, rock climbing and
boating, as well as thriving arts, restaurants and other recreational
opportunities. Public transportation is
available to New York City, which is less than 90 miles away.
Description
of Program - FLP is a statewide project of LASMNY
representing migrant and seasonal workers across New York, which ranks 10th
nationwide for number of farmworkers and 10th for number of H-2A workers. FLP's legal practice focuses on employment,
wages and working conditions, housing conditions and evictions, civil rights,
discrimination and other status issues, and limited immigration practice. FLP collaborates with legal and service
providers on issues of taxes and access to New York's ACA Health Insurance Programs
that are available to farmworkers.
FLP and LASMNY are funded by the Legal
Services Corporation. LASMNY provides
comprehensive civil legal services to low income residents of the following
counties: Broome, Chenango, Cayuga, Cortland, Delaware, Herkimer, Jefferson,
Lewis, Madison, Oneida, Onondaga, Oswego and Otsego. FLP operates statewide
from the New Paltz office.
Essential
Job Functions - Ability to handle assigned files and
assist with delivering quality legal services.
Effectively and efficiently communicate with clients and applicants for
service over the phone or in person. Open
and maintain cases in our case management system by entering case notes
documenting client contacts. Work
collaboratively with other groups serving farmworkers. Conduct administrative tasks. Ability to work independently. Perform other reasonable, related duties as
assigned by the supervisor.
Job Qualifications - Associate's degree from an accredited paralegal
program or relevant experience. Law school
graduates may be considered. Knowledge
of legal terminology a plus. Fluency in
oral English and Spanish required.
Proficiency
in written English required and Spanish preferred. Knowledge and experience with legal
correspondence and court filing procedures a plus. Familiarity with legal profession and
civil legal services for low income individuals, households and
communities. Proven ability to
learn quickly and relate well to people who are low-income or of diverse
nationalities and cultures. Proficient
with Microsoft Office and database management.
Excellent analytical and organizational skills. Ability to travel overnight and make evening
and nighttime visits to migrant labor camps required.
Demonstrated
past commitment to advocacy work is preferred.
Valid NYS Driver's License.
Salary depends on experience. LASMNY offers a generous benefit package - medical,
vision, dental, life, supplemental life, voluntary, flexible spending, 403(b),
SEP/IRA, mileage reimbursement, training, registration fees, NYS Bar dues, PTO,
Parental Leave, Bereavement Leave, Jury Duty, Bar Exam Leave, EAP, Loan
Repayment and (13) Holidays.
For consideration, applicants will provide
a cover letter, resume and contact information for professional references at jobs@LASMNY.org.
LASMNY is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative
Action Employer.
|