NPLC Supervising Attorney of Intake

Community Legal Services (CLS) of Philadelphia is seeking a supervising attorney of the North Philadelphia Law Center (NPLC) Intake Unit. Over 3,000 low-income Philadelphians come to the NPLC office each year for legal representation. This position will supervise the intake paralegals responsible for greeting most of these new clients and conducting the initial interview. Many of these new clients are then provided with advice or brief services regarding their legal issue. Others are referred to other legal aid organizations better suited to address their case, such as the Volunteers for the Indigent Program (VIP) or the Consumer Bankruptcy Assistance Project (CBAP). Still others are forwarded to CLS attorneys and paralegals for further case assessment or to provide further advice or full legal representation.

The attorney in this position will provide supervision and continual training of the intake paralegals and, from time-to-time, student interns. The attorney will be primarily responsible for developing and maintaining all NPLC intake systems to ensure that the intake process runs efficiently and that all clients are treated with dignity and respect. The attorney will not have his or her own legal caseload separate and apart from those clients seen during the intake process.

The position will also involve collaboratively working with the Deputy Director of Legal Practice, the Director of Law and Technology, and the 1424 Intake Supervisor on improving intake systems and procedures across CLS and with partner agencies.

Responsibilities

• Provide effective consultation and supervision of the members of the intake unit on a daily or as needed basis.
• Conduct case reviews with each intake paralegal as frequently as he/she deems necessary to ensure that each paralegal has a clear understanding of the basic legal problems our clients face and are providing the appropriate high quality service to applicants and clients.
• Coordinate or conduct substantive and skills training sessions for the intake staff.
• Keep intake staff current about organizational and practice unit issues, referral issues and resources via regular meetings, one-on-one communications, and distribution of written information and guidance.
• Oversee the intake system on a daily basis and make adjustments as needed.
• Responsible for the intake workflow design, procedure or process changes and other strategic delivery system issues.
• Coordinate referrals from other legal service programs, outside agencies, community groups and/or elected officials.
• Coordinate referrals from CLS to other legal service programs and other public interest legal aid organizations.
• Participate in the orientation and training of newly hired or less experienced staff as well as of non-intake staff who may periodically assist with intake.
• Maintain proficiency in computer hardware and software necessary to perform the duties of intake coordinator.
• Maintain and record statistics regarding intake and make periodic reports to the Managing Attorney and Deputy Director of Legal Practice.
• Assist the CLS management team in leading change and promoting a positive team attitude and be able to effectively respond to unexpected changes or demands.
• Have a clear understanding and comply fully with CLS policies.
• Motivate and monitor the intake staff to ensure compliance with procedures, quality standards and regulatory and contractual obligations.
• Communicate effectively and timely in a challenging environment with applicants for services by telephone, in person, electronically and as appropriate.
• Manage difficult calls, emails and in-person contacts in a calm courteous manner;
• Correctly identify applicant eligibility, case priority, funding source, and level of services to be provided.
• Correctly follow complex instructions provided by managers and Unit Supervisors.
• Write community education and self-help materials for clients

This is a full-time position covered by the collective bargaining agreement between Community Legal Services, Inc. (CLS) and the Philadelphia Legal Services Union N.O.L.S.W./Local 2320/UAW. The current minimum entry-level salary is governed by such agreement and is subject to change according to the provisions of the current collective bargaining agreement. Raises and benefits are also governed by that agreement. CLS offers a very generous and comprehensive benefits package.