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 Public Benefits Unit in its Niagara Falls office. The staff paralegal will help clients to obtain and/or maintain public 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 public 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 assist the Senior Attorney in the Public Benefits Unit by conducting intake, managing ongoing case work, and advocating for clients with the Niagara County Department of Social Services. Paralegal will also be required to learn the laws and regulations that govern Public Benefits in New York with a goal of identifying ongoing, systemic issues faced by our clients in addition to individual advocacy. Paralegal will attend outreach events in the community.
Qualifications
College or Paralegal Degree, excellent written and oral communication skills, and the ability to effectively and empathetically work with clients who live with disabilities and other barriers to obtaining and maintaining benefits. Fluency in Spanish or other languages is encouraged but not required.
How to Apply
Please send resume and cover letter to hr@nls.org and reference the PB Unit Paralegal position in the subject line. References will be requested after an interview |
