BENEFITS TEAM PARALEGAL

CENTRAL CALIFORNIA LEGAL SERVICES CONTRACTUAL EMPLOYEE1 JOB ANNOUNCEMENT

BENEFITS TEAM PARALEGAL

WHO WE ARE: For over 50 years, Central California Legal Services (CCLS) has been representing and advocating for low income individuals in Merced, Tuolumne, Mariposa, Fresno, Tulare, and Kings Counties—a region where intense poverty exists side by side with unparalleled wealth and abundance. Our mission is to provide high quality no-cost civil legal services to low income individuals, families, and communities—improving the wellbeing of our Valley through systems-changing advocacy, client education, and legal work that meets individual clients’ immediate needs. We also work closely with agencies and community organizations that share our commitment to support our clients in being their own agents of change.

Under attorney supervision, the Benefits Team Contract Paralegal will provide high quality legal services, interview clients, assess and investigate facts in a variety of Benefits cases.

Position:  Contract Paralegal

Experience: Minimum 3-5 years of related experience Application 

Location: Fresno and Merced Offices

Term of Employment: Through July 31, 2020

Other: FLSA Non-Exempt; Union Position

HOW TO APPLY:   Please e-mail a cover letter, resume, and three professional references (including at least one supervisor OR a reference from an agency with which you partnered) to:

Debra D. McKenzie Director of Administration

Central California Legal Services 2115 Kern Street, Suite 200

Fresno, California 93721 dmckenzie@centralcallegal.org

 1 Contractual Employee: A contractual employee, whether full or part-time, is one who has been hired with a pre- determined terminal point of employment; are eligible for all employee benefits permitted under the grant contract under which they have obtained employment; and have all employee rights including access to the grievance procedure except for the purpose of appealing the end of their employment at the date stated in the relevant contract.

DUTIES:

• Interview, assist and otherwise provide high quality services to clients consistent with CCLS program priorities;
• Attend administrative hearings as appropriate with clients;
• Work with other CCLS advocates to ensure the delivery of high-quality legal services;
• Participate in weekly CCLS case review meetings;
• Identify and analyze systemic issues through individual casework, review of CCLS data and participation in statewide networks of legal services advocates;
• Interface 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.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Certified paralegal preferred;
• Demonstrate a genuine interest in the needs and legal rights of low-income people and elderly or disabled persons;
• Ability to follow case review policies and procedures;
• Knowledge of the principles and procedures of administrative agencies, hearing rights, and consumer grievance systems;
• Knowledge of or ability to learn public benefits law, including General Relief, CalFresh, CalWorks, SSI Disability;
• Ability to conduct client interviews, investigations, legal research, analytical reasoning ability, case review and problem solving;
• Superior interpersonal, oral and written communication skills;
• Ability to work closely with others in a small unit setting: a commitment to teamwork is essential;
• 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.

SALARY/BENEFITS: Salary Range DOE ($34,768-$58,116); benefits include medical, dental, vision, life, disability insurance coverage; employer contribution to 403(b) plan based on length of service; 14.5 paid holidays; generous vacation and sick leave policy; some professional dues paid by CCLS; if qualified, participation in the School Loan Reimbursement Assistance Program, and/or a Bilingual Supplement. This grant-funded position ends July 31, 2020.

CCLS is an equal opportunity employer: we value equity, inclusion, and diversity, across all races, cultures, classes, ages, religions, gender identities and presentations, sexual orientations, body sizes, family structures, abilities, and all categories protected by law. We encourage all interested individuals to apply.