Pro Bono Paralegal, Baltimore Office

Want to advocate to end homelessness? Want to eliminate barriers to employment? Want to assist veterans? If you desire a position where you have the opportunity to leverage the use of volunteers to increase legal services that prevent and end homelessness, the Homeless Persons Representation Project (HPRP) is seeking a full-time, non-exempt paralegal for its Pro Bono Program.

Our Story: HPRP provides free legal services and advocacy to persons who are homeless or at risk of homelessness in Maryland. Encompassing all of HPRP’s programs is the deep understanding that people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness struggle to access legal services offered in a traditional manner. The hallmark of HPRP’s legal program is its ability to reach clients where they live, eat, and spend time. HPRP’s staff and volunteers pursue this mission by offering legal services through outreach in shelters, soup kitchens, government offices, community centers and the street.

HPRP’s Pro Bono Programs leverage the resources of HPRP’s staff by recruiting, training, and mentoring volunteer attorneys, paralegals, and law students to conduct intakes and provide legal representation in criminal record expungement, veterans benefits, and military discharge upgrade matters. HPRP’s Pro Bono Program is substantial, and it currently encompasses the work of over 400 volunteers. Particularly in these economic times, HPRP’s Pro Bono Programs provide the person power to assist the increasing number of individuals seeking legal assistance to prevent homelessness, find housing, or remove barriers to employment.

HPRP operates pro bono supported Community-Based Intake Programs at Our Daily Bread Employment Center, The Franciscan Center, Baltimore VA Medical Center Annex, Chesapeake Health Education Program on the grounds of the Perry Point VA Medical Center in Cecil County, and the Three Oaks Center in St. Mary’s County.

Reports to: Director of Pro Bono Programs
Supervises: Law students and paralegals (100+ at any one time)

RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE:

• Establish and monitor legal clinics, including booking off-site locations, scheduling volunteer attorneys, paralegals, and law students to staff clinic sites, and arranging HPRP clients to meet with volunteers;
• Organize and maintain case files related to pro bono programs, including copying, scanning and disseminating files to volunteers and monitoring the status of an extremely large expungement caseload;
• Maintain and track database of volunteer and client information, including entering case-related information into database;
• Communicate with volunteers regarding case placement, updates etc.;
• Provide administrative support to director, staff attorney and pro bono attorneys;
• Conduct community outreach, including conducting educational presentations; creating outreach materials, and tabling at events;
• Train and supervise volunteers;
• Participate in HPRP’s ongoing race equity work;
• Assist with grant reporting; and
• Manage a high volume case load (100+volunteers and 250+clients)
SKILLS & REQUIRED EXPERIENCE
• Education: H.S. Diploma/GED;
• Excellent administrative and organizational skills, detail oriented and able to produce work with high degree of accuracy;
• Experience with managing a high volume case load or program;
• Ability to set priorities and handle multiple tasks with changing priorities;
• Analytical skills to spot issues and problem solve, including taking initiative;
• Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing with clients, service providers, pro bono volunteers, and community partners;
• Aptitude to work well under pressure, meet frequent deadlines and remain calm and patient in a very fast paced environment;
• Compassion and familiarity with the circumstances faced by people living in poverty or experiencing homelessness;
• Demonstrates a commitment to diversity by using a personal approach that values all individuals and respects differences; and
• Proficiency with computer and internet technology, i.e. Microsoft Office for Windows (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, etc.).

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience with community outreach;
• Minimum of three years of full-time work experience in an office environment as an administrative assistant or paralegal;
• Fluency, written and oral, in Spanish;
• Experience with database entry and reporting; and
• Knowledge of Baltimore area programs and services that benefit HPRP’s client population.

Salary $33,000-$40,000 DOE. HPRP provides excellent benefits: vacation (20 days per year), sick leave (10 days), personal days (3 days), and holidays. Employee premiums 100% covered for medical, prescription, dental, vision. Short and Long Term Disability Insurance and Retirement plan with supplemental employer contribution also provided. Weekend or evening work may be required for duties such as periodic community events and casework deadlines, or Board meetings (which are held 6 times per year; all full-time staff attend).

Apply by sending a cover letter and resume to [email protected] (please specify Pro Bono Paralegal in the subject line). References will be requested if selected for an initial interview. We are looking for thoughtful, personalized cover letters that demonstrate the applicant’s qualifications, work style, and interest in being part of a team working to eliminate homelessness in Maryland. We are looking for applicants who understand how racism and oppression perpetuate barriers to housing and income. Resume reviews begin immediately and applications will be accepted until position is filled, although priority will be given to applications received by October 3, 2019.

HPRP is an equal opportunity employer. All interested persons encouraged to apply regardless of race, ethnicity, national origin, age, sex, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, HIV status or religious affiliation.