Disability Advocacy Program (DAP) Legal Assistant

Job Description

Job Description

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 job's 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 $40,000 to $45,000 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.

o Benefit is eligible after 12 months of employment.

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.

Requirements :

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Minimum Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities)

Preferred Qualifications

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 www.empirejustice.org. 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 mlove@empirejustice.org. 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.