Organization: Bay Area Legal Aid's (BayLegal) mission is to provide high quality legal assistance regardless of a client's location, language, or disability. BayLegal is the largest provider of free civil legal services to low-income residents of the San Francisco Bay Area, with regional offices in Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, Napa, San Francisco, San Mateo, and Santa Clara counties. BayLegal's 100+ staff members provide wraparound legal services in housing preservation, domestic violence and sexual assault prevention, economic security, consumer protection, and healthcare access.
Position: The Santa Clara County Regional Office is located in downtown San Jose with regular offsite presence in various locations in the community. We seek a Reentry Services Advocate who is comfortable and adept working with attorneys in a litigation- and negotiation-rich environment.
Responsibilities:
• Conducting intake interviews with clients in administrative, housing, public benefits, consumer, and other civil legal matters focusing on target populations including individuals who were formerly incarcerated and/or face other barriers related to criminal records
• Preparing legal pleadings in the areas of court fines and fees, drivers’ license suspension, public benefits, and housing
• Gathering documents and evidence
• Preparing correspondence and communicating with clients
• Tracking case status and deadlines
• Assisting with grant data collection and management
• Establishing connections to community and government agency partners
• Identifying policy issues impacting reentry work and working with attorneys to impact policies affecting formerly incarcerated individuals’ reintegration into the community
• Conducting community education presentations focused on civil legal issues
Requirements:
• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent from an accredited school
• Passion for and deep understanding of working with low-income families and communities, and specifically working with individuals who were formerly incarcerated and their families
• Familiarity with housing, government benefits programs, and consumer debts issues
• Excellent communication, writing, and public speaking skills
• Strong organizational skills and ability to work independently and as part of a dynamic team
• A driver’s license and access to a car
• Ability to conduct community outreach and training
• Bilingual ability in Spanish or Vietnamese preferred
• Exceptional listener and strategist who thrives in a collegial environment
Applications: Bay Area Legal Aid thrives on our diversity and we are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to building a culturally diverse workplace and strongly encourage women, persons of color, LGBTQ individuals, veterans, persons with disabilities, and persons from other underrepresented groups to apply. Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled. Applicants are encouraged to apply by August 9, 2016. Please send cover letter, resume, references, and writing sample to: Lisa Newstrom, Managing Attorney at [email protected]. Please reference Santa Clara Reentry Legal Services Advocate in your application.