Disability Advocacy Program (DAP) Legal Assistant
Disability Advocacy Program (DAP) Legal Assistant
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Job Description
FLSA Status: Non-Exempt
Practice Group: Disability Advocacy Program
Organization Information
Empire Justice Center a diverse and highly respected statewide legal services organization seeks a Legal Assistant for our Disability Advocacy Program. This is an opportunity to join and grow in one of the most influential organizations serving marginalized low-income individuals and families in New York State.
Empire Justice Center attracts and employs a diverse team of dedicated determined and passionate advocates who significantly impact the lives of low-income New Yorkers. We achieve success through direct legal representation high-impact litigation and effective legislative and administrative advocacy. As an organization we provide top-notch training and technical assistance to other advocates ensuring fairness and justice for New Yorkers. We thrive on our commitment to supporting justice for populations that have historically experienced high levels of oppression. These populations include racially diverse individuals and families experiencing poverty housing insecurity immigration issues and domestic violence. Additionally the organization advocates for people with disabilities members of the LGBTQ community and school-age children facing discrimination and violations of their civil rights in schools.
Our offices in Rochester Albany Westchester County and Long Island provide staff with an exciting dynamic and inclusive working environment characterized by a strong commitment to work-life balance teamwork diversity wellness and personal/professional development.
Position Summary
Empire Justice Center is pleased to announce an opening for a Legal Assistant for our Disability Advocacy Program. The Legal Assistant will provide support to attorneys and paralegals primarily located in our Rochester office. The work includes intake coordination (greeting clients answering phones copying scanning and data entry) as well as case file management and development (opening and closing files obtaining medical and school records). This position reports to a Supervising Senior Paralegal or another position within the DAP practice group.
Salary
The referenced pay range represents the estimated minimum and maximum compensation for this job. Individual annual salaries or hourly rates will be determined within the jobs compensation range taking into account factors such as education experience qualifications personal expertise market data and internal equity considerations.
The salary range for this position is $40000 to $45000 per year.
Benefits
We are an organization that supports and promotes a healthy work-life balance. Empire Justice Center offers a generous benefit package including:
35-hour full-time work week.
Employee Wellness Activities.
Health Insurance Coverage
o Employer pays 100% premium for a high-quality co-pay insurance plan.
403(b) eligibility - immediately eligible to begin contributing from your paycheck.
Immediate vesting upon hire - ALL contributions (both employee and employer).
1% employer match is eligible after 12 months of employment.
3% Non-Elective Annual Contribution made by Empire Justice Center.
o Benefit is eligible after 12 months of employment.
Generous vacation sick personal and holiday time.
Bilingual salary enhancement for qualifying employees.
Loan Repayment Assistance Program.
Voluntary Supplemental Disability.
Dental Insurance (employee paid).
Vision Insurance (employee paid).
$150K Group Term Life Insurance.
Generous Bereavement Leave.
NYS Short-Term Disability.
FSA Eligibility.
Empire Justice Center is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer and strongly desires a diverse and inclusive workforce. Empire Justice Center provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants. It prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type specifically - race color religion age sex (including pregnancy and gender identity) national origin disability status genetics neurodiversity protected veteran status sexual orientation gender identity or expression or any other characteristic protected by federal state or local laws.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
Travel to and work in the Rochester Telesca Center office is required to meet client and organizational needs.
Greet walk-in clients.
Engage in administrative duties including but not limited to taking and returning phone calls drafting correspondence data entry filing copying and scanning documents.
Manage calendars of attorneys and senior paralegals in the practice group.
Review process and manage mail and email communications.
Organize and maintain client case files during the initial intake phase ensuring all documentation is current and complete.
Track key case deadlines including appeal filing dates and hearing schedules.
Monitor and manage case status through Social Security Administration (SSA) systems (e.g. ERE/ARPS Case Access).
Conduct client intakes gather preliminary information and explain the case process.
Maintain ongoing communication with clients regarding case updates missing documents and appointments until the client is reassigned within the practice group.
Obtain signed forms releases and authorizations.
Prepare and file SSA forms when necessary before opening a case.
Communicate with the Social Security Administration as needed to gather information.
Collect medical records employment histories and supporting evidence in the development phase when determining representation.
Must demonstrate high comfort and commitment to working with disadvantaged and disabled clientele.
Please note that all positions require supervising other practice group members if needed.
Other duties as assigned to meet the organizations needs.
Minimum Qualifications (Knowledge Skills and Abilities)
At least 3 years of relevant experience.
Must be able to assist in a confidential capacity and maintain confidentiality when needed.
Demonstrated excellence in the use of Microsoft Office Suite (Outlook Word Excel SharePoint PowerPoint) and ability to learn other applications quickly.
Must demonstrate strong communication skills including proficiency in technology that facilitates the delivery of communication documents and other materials.
Must demonstrate excellent skills in document and form creation pulling reports and word processing.
Excellent grammar spelling and punctuation skills.
Experience working collaboratively and effectively with other team members.
Must have the ability to work independently and effectively in a fast-paced dynamic organization and have a hybrid capacity.
Experience in and commitment to working with marginalized communities.
Preferred Qualifications
Bilingual in Spanish
Physical Demands and Work Environment
This position requires extensive use of computers and participation in phone and virtual meetings as part of the job. As such the person in the position must be able to remain stationary for the majority of the time. The position requires constant computer operation and other office productivity machinery such as a copy machine scanner and computer printer. The ability to communicate information and ideas clearly so that others can understand is crucial. Must be able to exchange accurate information in these situations.
Our office hours are 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The ability to work in the office during these hours is critical for this position.
TO APPLY: Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. If interested please visit our Work With Us employment page on our website at . Please submit a complete application including a resume cover letter and contact information for three professional references (one supervisor is required). Please refrain from making phone calls or sending hard copies. Incomplete applications will not be considered.
If reasonable accommodations are needed please contact Mercedece Love Human Resources and Compliance Manager at Empire Justice Center is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment Empire Justice Center ensures that persons with disabilities and/or communication barriers have reasonable accommodations.
Employment Type
Full-Time
