Who We Are: CAMBA is a community of staff, volunteers, clients, donors, neighbors and partners who work together to build an inclusive New York City, where all children and adults have access to the resources and supports, they need to thrive.  We take a comprehensive approach by offering more than 180 integrated programs in: Education & Youth Development, Family Support, Job Training & Employment Support Services, Health, Housing, and Legal Services. We reach almost 80,000 individuals and families, including almost 13,000 youth. CAMBA serves a diverse cross section of New Yorkers from new mothers in Brownsville to job seekers in the Rockaways. More than half of our clients are immigrants and refugees from around the globe. Over 85% of our families are living in poverty, reflecting the challenges faced by nearly 1.7 million New Yorkers today.

CAMBA Legal Services, Inc. (CLS) is the legal services arm of CAMBA, Inc. CLS provides free civil legal services to low-income New Yorkers in the areas of consumer law, foreclosure prevention, immigration, housing law, and domestic violence assistance. In addition to providing direct representation and providing legal advice and counsel to thousands of clients, CAMBA attorneys also engage in legislative advocacy, impact litigation in both state and federal court, provide community education and offer expert training on a wide range of issues, services that allow members of our community improve their lives.

 Position: Case-Handling Paralegal, Housing Unit

Reports To: Supervisor 

Location(s): CAMBA Legal Services; 20 Snyder Avenue, Brooklyn NY, or 241 37th Street, Brooklyn, NY

What does the Case-Handling Paralegal, Housing Unit, Do: 

• Assist clients in completing CAMBA intake applications, registrations and forms. 

• Conduct legal intake and assessment of clients and clients' families' situations and needs. 

• Conduct home visits in order to perform intake and follow-up services. 

• Assist clients in completing benefits applications, fair hearings and other administrative proceedings. 

• Research and analyze law sources such as statutes, recorded judicial decisions, legal articles, legal codes, etc. 

• Prepare legal documents such as subpoenas, letters of advocacy, affidavits, and forms for administrative hearings 

• Investigate facts and law of case to determine causes of action/defenses and prepare case accordingly. 

• File motions, briefs, pleadings, legal memos, and appeals with court clerk. 

• Maintain accurate and comprehensive document/client files including up to date case note documentation. 

• Deliver or direct delivery of subpoenas to witnesses and parties to action. 

• Follow up with clients and other organizations regarding client progress toward legal goals/program outcomes. 

• Recommend and implement strategies to persuade clients to participate fully in their own legal process. 

• Act as client liaison/advocate to coordinate with internal and external programs and agencies to make referrals and to ensure integrated services delivery. 

• Develop and report program performance to funders. 

• With appropriate level of approval, negotiate with servicers on behalf of the clients. 

• Maintain client data in several databases and/or other designed applications (i.e. – Home Counselor Online, Counselor Max, etc.) 

• Prepare marketing and outreach materials for the program. 

• Conduct outreach to the community in order to inform the community of the legal services and to recruit clients. 

• Conduct presentations, workshops, and training for community-based organizations, government agencies, and other stakeholders. 

• Assist with the preparation and filing of motions, briefs, pleadings, legal memoranda, and appeals with courts and administrative agencies, as appropriate. 

• Assist clients in completing SCRIE and DRIE applications.   

• Pickup checks from agencies and/or charities and deliver to the office, court, or office of opposing counsel. 

• Reach out and market the program to the community in order to recruit clients. 

• Communication with HRA regarding client Public Assistance benefits (e.g., request benefits, issuance printouts, check application status, etc.).   

• Assist in referral and client communication throughout duration of intake and/or case.  

• Interpret for clients and staff as needed; translate documents, forms, etc. 

• Act as law librarian, keeping and monitoring legal volumes and ensuring legal volumes are up-to-date. 

• Provide all required information for weekly/monthly/quarterly/annual report. 

• provide group presentations to advise potential clients of their legal rights and responsibilities. 

• Process applications for charitable housing and other grants and conduct follow-up. 

• Notarize legal documents as needed, provided the paralegal is a licensed notary. 

• Handle NYCHA and HRA hearings. 

• Assist with HPD and HCR administrative proceedings. 

• Handle public assistance hearings for existing CAMBA clients, subject to supervisor’s discretion and provided the paralegal has received adequate training for such tasks. 

• May assist existing CAMBA clients with FHEPS applications, and/or other types of rental arrears/ subsidy applications. 

• Perform other related tasks as reasonably assigned, including in limited circumstances assisting with the tasks and responsibilities of administrative paralegals. 

• Other duties as assigned. 

Education, Licenses and/or Certifications Required: 

Associate’s degree (A.A.) and two years applicable experience or bachelor’s degree (B. A. or B.S.) and/or equivalent experience.  

Preferred Qualifications: 

• Prior experience working with Housing matters preferred. 

• Bi-lingual preferred (Spanish, Haitian Creole, French, Arabic, Russian, Urdu). 

CAMBA’S Specific Competencies: 

 Organization: 

• Manages multiple projects. 

• Determines project urgency in a practical way; uses goals to guide actions. 

• Creates detailed action plans. 

• Organizes and schedules people and tasks effectively. 

Confidentiality: 

• Remains sensitive to Human Resource issues and maintains confidentiality, neutrality and objectivity as appropriate. 

Compensation: $63,860 - $96,551 annually

 Status: Full-time (35 hours weekly)

CAMBA is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We value a diverse workforce and inclusive workplace. People of color, people with disabilities, and lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people are encouraged to apply. We consider all applicants without regard to race, color, religion, creed, gender, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, age, disability, socio-economic status, marital or veteran status, pregnancy status or sexual orientation.