Use your talents and skills to help people and change systems.  Neighborhood Legal Services (NLS), the largest provider of civil legal services in Western New York, is seeking a dynamic staff paralegal for the Disability Law Unit in its Buffalo office.  The staff paralegal will help residents with disabilities obtain and/or maintain the Social Security benefits that they need for the essentials of daily living and ensure that those in need are served by systems that are just, equitable and responsive.  The staff paralegal will learn the law and advocate for individuals in need of Social Security benefits and other programs and services.  Advocacy will include representation of individual clients and identification and advocacy to obtain systemic change through affirmative advocacy and policy work.   Your clients will include people living with low incomes, disabilities and members of the LGBTQ+ community.

Salary and Benefits

$41,550 to $68,553 per year salary, dependent upon experience and in accordance with the Collective Bargaining Agreement. Full time position with a 35-hour work week and shorter summer hours. Excellent benefits including health, dental and vision insurance, 3 weeks of vacation, 12 paid holidays plus paid week off between Christmas and New Year’s, sick and personal leave, eligibility for public student loan forgiveness, paid $50,000 life insurance, pension plan, and HSA and Flexible Spending Accounts.

Job Description

 Paralegal will be responsible for case load management, legal research and writing, representation at Social Security administration with informal appeals and at administrative hearings. Paralegal will also provide a spectrum of legal assistance ranging from direct communication with clients to collaboration with community partners to affect systematic change and provide holistic service delivery. Position reports to staff attorney(s).

Qualifications

 Bachelor or Associate degree in Paralegal Studies. Legal services background and previous experience working with low-income and/or underserved communities is preferred. Applicants are expected to have strong personal work ethic, interpersonal skills, ability to work collaboratively with a dynamic team, ability to organize and meet deadlines with minimal supervision, effective communication, and cultural competency to work with clients challenged by poverty across the spectrum of diversity.

How to Apply

Please send resume and cover letter to hr@nls.org and reference the Disability Unit Paralegal position in the subject line. References will be requested after an interview.