CCLS seeks a full-time paralegal to work with the Homelessness Prevention Project. The ideal candidate will have experience with project management, working on a team, implementing outreach efforts, exceptional organizational and interpersonal skills. The Homelessness Prevention Project Paralegal will assist the Managing Attorney in team coordination and implementation of the Project. This position will ensure proper communication and action between CCLS attorneys, advocates, outreach workers and navigators. In cooperation with the Housing Team Leader, the paralegal will ensure that the work performed by the Project complies with the EAF Homelessness Prevention grant and that all CCLS grant requirements are being satisfied.
Position: Paralegal (Homelessness Prevention Project)
Experience: Minimum 3 years in a community benefit organization or non-profit
Location: Fresno, Visalia and Merced Offices (as needed)
Term of Employment: Full-time, Permanent
Other: FLSA Non-Exempt; Union Position
Application Deadline: Open Until Filled; Applications received by December 20, 2021 will be considered for the first round of interviews.
HOMELESSNESS PREVENTION PROJECT: CCLS’s Homelessness Prevention Project is an interdisciplinary, whole-person project within our Housing Team that will address both the legal and social needs of housing clients, with a specific focus on low-income students and their families, students without parents or guardians, and students who are aging out of foster care. The goals of the Project are to promote housing stability, empower clients to effectively participate in their legal cases, and end the cycles of poverty that cause their legal issues. The Project will integrate the provision of legal services across substantive teams at CCLS (e.g., Housing and Health Teams), as well as the provision of non-legal services, such as assisting clients with accessing benefits and other social services. The Project will also entail outreach to target communities at community college and K-12 school sites. In addition to providing more impactful direct services to our housing clients, the Project will deepen CCLS’s understanding of our client community and help us to more effectively respond to their needs.
DUTIES:
• Coordinate CCLS’s Homelessness Prevention team in their respective duties, assist in those duties as needed, and
coordinate with other substantive legal programs within CCLS;
• Conduct intake of new clients both in person and remotely;
• Work with other CCLS advocates to ensure the delivery of high-quality legal services based on a whole-person model;
• Attend weekly Homelessness Prevention Project case review meetings;
• Communicate with other CCLS and California advocates on issues of mutual interest;
• Participate with client groups and community-based service providers;
• Participate in community outreach and education events;
• Carry out CCLS policies and procedures;
• Attend training and keep abreast of changes in the law;
• Perform other duties as assigned.
CCLS BENEFITS OVERVIEW:
Work/Life Balance
• 7.5 hour work day / 37.5 hour week
• 14.5 Paid Holidays
• Free wellness counseling & resources
• Union protection for applicable positions
Rewards for Dedication
• Annual pay increases
• Overtime for Hourly/Non-exempt staff
• Compensatory Time for Salaried/Exempt staff
More than Base Pay
• School Loan Assistance up to $500/month
• Bilingual Pay up to $90/month
• Home internet reimbursement of $25/month
• CCLS issued laptop & cell phone
• CA State Bar dues paid in full
• Mileage reimbursement
Retirement Contribution
• CCLS contributes to staff 403(b) plans starting at the one-year anniversary:
• Year 1 to 2 – 1% of salary contributed
• Year 2 to 3 – 2% of salary contributed
• Year 3 to 4 – 3% of salary contributed
• Year 4 to 5 – 4% of salary contributed
• Year 5+ - 5% of salary contributed
Group Health Insurance
• Coverage begins 1st of the month following hire date
• CCLS pays 100% for staff health insurance coverage
• CCLS pays 67% of staff dependent health insurance coverage
• Low-Cost Plans for:
• Dental PPO & Vision Insurance
• Long term disability & life insurance
• Workers Compensation coverage
Cash Out Options
• Vacation Cash Out:
• Accrued vacation cashed out & added to paycheck upon request
• Compensatory Time Cash Out (Exempt Staff):
• Accrued comp time cashed out & added to paycheck upon request
• Comp time over 75 hours paid out automatically
• Overtime Pay Out (Non-Exempt Staff):
• OT paid out within 30 days of accrual, per State standards
Computer Loan Fund
• Up to $1,500 interest free loan to assist staff with personal computer purchase
State Bar Exam Leave & Loan
• Leave provided for CA Bar Exam
• Interest-free loan for Bar Exam & study course fees
• Up to 8 weeks salary advance
• Superior interpersonal, oral and written communication skills;
• Demonstrated ability to manage numerous projects and tasks simultaneously, including the coordination of several
team members;
• Must be self-motivated individual capable of developing and successfully implementing whole-person
advocacy plans for CCLS’s clients;
• Demonstrate a genuine interest in the needs and legal rights of low-income people and elderly or disabled persons;
• Ability to follow CCLS policies and procedures;
• Knowledge of or ability to learn housing law;
• Ability to conduct client interviews, investigations, analytical reasoning ability, and problem solving;
• Demonstrated ability to work closely with others in a small unit setting;
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with diverse groups of individuals and organizations including ability to provide
leadership within a culturally diverse environment; must maintain effective interpersonal relationships at all
organizational levels and with the public;
• Competency/experience with PC systems and standard software (Microsoft Office, Access, Word, Excel, Outlook,
PowerPoint, and other relevant databases);
• Reliable transportation, a valid CA Drivers’ License with appropriate car insurance.
CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS: Education, training and experience sufficient to meet the requirements of Business & Professions Code § 6450, including documentation of at least one of the following:
• A certificate of completion of a paralegal program approved by the American Bar Association;
• A certificate of completion of a paralegal program, or a degree from a postsecondary institution that requires the successful completion of a minimum of 24 semester (or equivalent) units in law-related courses and that has been accredited by a national or regional accrediting organization or approved by the Bureau for Private Postsecondary and Vocational Education;
• A baccalaureate degree or an advanced degree in any subject, a minimum of one year of law-related experience under the supervision of an attorney who has been an active member of the State Bar of California for at least the preceding three years or who has practiced in the federal courts of this state for at least the preceding three years, and a written declaration from this attorney stating that the person is qualified to perform paralegal tasks;
• A high school diploma or general equivalency diploma, a minimum of three years of law-related experience under the supervision of an attorney who has been an active member of the State Bar of California for at least the preceding three years or who has practiced in the federal courts of this state for at least the preceding three years, and a written declaration from this attorney stating that the person is qualified to perform paralegal tasks.
Please visit https://www.centralcallegal.org/careers/ to submit an online application and join our CCLS family in an effort to Advance Justice & Empower People.