Job Description

Community Legal Services (CLS) is seeking a paralegal to work at CLS’s Medical-Legal Partnership (MLP), located at Rising Sun Health Center, at 5675 North Front Street, in the Olney neighborhood of Philadelphia.

In 2014, CLS launched its first MLP at Rising Sun Health Center, a federally-qualified health center operated by the Public Health Management Corporation (PHMC) with a focus on serving immigrant communities. CLS partners with Rising Sun medical and social service providers and other staff to address the health-harming legal issues of patients, with particular focus on immigrant access to public benefits. Whenever feasible, CLS also supports medical and social service staff across PHMC’s network of health centers.

The MLP paralegal will work with closely with an MLP attorney to provide legal advice and representation to Rising Sun patients. The paralegal will be based at CLS’s neighborhood office at 1410 West Erie Avenue (at Broad Street), and will work at Rising Sun at least two days per week, and possibly up to three days if necessary.

The paralegal will join a dynamic team of MLP attorneys and paralegals who work on-site across the City of Philadelphia at CLS’s five MLPs. While the paralegal will provide brief advice, referrals, and other representation on a broad range of legal issues, the paralegal will be formally co-located in the first year in CLS’s Health & Independence Unit, which focuses on access to state public benefits like Medicaid, SNAP, TANF cash assistance, and LIHEAP. Based on the paralegal’s capacity and the needs of CLS clients and Rising Sun patients, the paralegal may be co-located in the Energy Unit as well in the second year of practice, focusing on preserving access to gas, electric, and water utilities.

JOB DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

While the duties of the MLP paralegal will vary based on the needs of CLS’s MLPs and the Health & Independence Unit (and potentially the Energy Unit), the position will involve:

· Working closely with staff at Rising Sun to build trusting, collaborative, and respectful relationships;

· Partnering with the MLP attorney to adjust and maintain systems for screening and identifying patients with legal issues;

· Responding to a high volume of legal referrals, and tracking referral outcomes consistently in CLS’s case management system;

· Conducting in-person intake interviews at Rising Sun at least two days per week, and up to three days per week as needed, for patients who are identified as having legal issues;

· Providing legal advice, referrals, and representation to patients in the area of public benefits law, as well as other legal areas as needed, under the close supervision of the MLP attorney;

· Collaborating with staff at Rising Sun and across the PHMC network on case consultations and other public benefits matters under the close supervision of the MLP attorney;

· Partnering with the MLP attorney in identifying the training needs of Rising Sun staff and throughout the PHMC network, and providing the training when appropriate;

· Partnering with the MLP attorney in identifying and executing new ways to address unmet legal need at Rising Sun, including through legal clinics, pro bono partnerships, and self-help materials; and

· Collecting case outcome data and other data that demonstrates the success of the MLP and synthesizing or analyzing the data when needed.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

· High school diploma or GED;

· Demonstrated history of exceptional organizational skills;

· Demonstrated ability to work independently and take initiative;

· Demonstrated reliability;

· Ability to learn and retain a large volume of complex material;

· Strong writing and other communication skills;

· Strong interpersonal skills;

· Ability to interact well in multicultural environments;

· Computer literacy, including proficiency in using Microsoft Office; and

· Willingness and flexibility to travel within the City of Philadelphia.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

· Bachelor’s degree in a related field or Associate’s degree in Paralegal Studies;

· Experience working at a social services agency, at a nonprofit advocacy organization, or in a health care setting;

· Client interviewing skills; and

· Fluency in a world language.

 

To Apply:  CLS will accept applications on a rolling basis until the position is filled. But applicants should apply by Thursday, December 5, 2024 to receive first round consideration. You can submit your application on CLS’s website online at or submit your application below by clicking "Apply Now".

What to Include in your application:  Please include a cover letter, resume, three professional references (past current supervisors preferred)  identifying your relationship , and one brief writing sample (10 pages or less).

CLS values a diverse work environment and strongly encourages women, people of color, people who identify as LGBTQ, people with disabilities, people who have experienced poverty or homelessness and people who have had prior contact with the juvenile, criminal, or child welfare systems to apply. CLS invites all applicants to include in their cover letter a statement about how your unique background and/or experiences might contribute to the diversity, cultural vitality, and perspective of our staff and legal services practice.

Compensation: This is a full-time position covered by the collective bargaining agreement between CLS and the National Union of Hospital and Health Care Employees, AFL-CIO and its affiliate District 1199C. CLS asks for a minimum two-year commitment from individuals who accept an offer of employment for a paralegal position. The current minimum starting salary is $45,970 for entry-level applicants but that salary is subject to change or adjustment if an applicant has relevant years of experience and according to the provisions of the current collective bargaining agreement. Raises and benefits are also governed by that agreement.

Benefits: CLS offers a very generous and competitive benefits package including 100% employer paid medical, life, and short/long-term disability benefits, a 403(b) retirement plan with employer match, and generous leave package.

Community Legal Services, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer. CLS, Inc. does not discriminate in the selection of employees on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, sexual identity, genetics, age, national origin, disability, or veteran status. In addition to federal law requirements, CLS complies with all applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

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