Bilingual Legal Assistant/Paralegal

Hybrid remote work schedule available: 3 days in office and 2 days remote

Base office in Asheville, NC 

Position Status: Full-Time

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

Pisgah Legal Services (PLS) is a community-based non-profit legal aid agency governed by a local Board of Directors. Located in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Western North Carolina (WNC), Pisgah Legal Services provides free civil legal assistance to low-income people in WNC. The organization currently has offices in Asheville, Brevard, Burnsville, Hendersonville, Highlands-Cashiers, Marshall, Newland, and Rutherfordton.  With over 100 dedicated staff, including over 30 attorneys plus program staff, and an active group of 300 volunteer attorneys, the program provides free services to nearly 20,000 people per year to meet their basic needs, primarily in the poverty law areas of housing, public benefits, domestic violence prevention, health care, immigration, and consumer law. 

PLS seeks a part-time Bilingual Legal Assistant / Paralegal position for our Domestic and Sexual Violence Prevention Program (DSVP). Pisgah Legal Services helps victims of domestic violence take legal action to escape abuse and rebuild their lives and financial stability. This includes: intimate partner violence, including stalking and harassment; family and household violence, including elder abuse; child abuse and maltreatment; hate crimes and human trafficking.  PLS works in collaboration with domestic violence prevention agencies, shelters, law enforcement and other partners in eleven WNC counties. This includes working at the Buncombe Family Justice Centers to provide coordinated services under one roof for survivors.  This position will be based out of the Buncombe Family Justice Center located in Asheville, NC providing legal assistant and paralegal support to our DSVP attorneys.

Passion for promoting justice and overcoming barriers facing low-income people, being a creative and zealous staff member and a team-player, and a demonstrated commitment to achieving lasting results for clients and low-income communities are all important. 

Responsibilities 

• Commitment to PLS’ mission, values, and vision.
• Screen clients for eligibility.
• Prepare and edit legal documents.
• Organize and maintain paper and electronic documents.
• Files pleadings and other duties at the Courthouse.
• Conduct client interviews with a trauma-informed approach.
• Prepare various pleadings under supervision of attorney.
• Conduct research on relevant laws/regulations/legal articles.
• Gather and arrange evidence and other legal documents for attorney review Interviews witnesses when needed.
• Provide general administrative and legal assistance support to attorneys to assist in case development.
• Scheduling and meeting preparation. 
• Travel within the PLS service area and to meetings or conferences in other parts of NC.
• Adhere to program priorities and case handling policies, procedures, and standards of practice, as well as the highest professional and ethical standards.
• English/Spanish interpreting and translating as needed.
• Work with volunteers and PLS Development Team.

Qualifications

• Passion for and commitment to PLS’ mission, values, and vision.
• Associates’ degree/ paralegal certification or equivalent professional experience.
• Demonstrated skills at socio-economic and cultural sensitivity and the ability to work with people.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to juggle multiple deadlines and to identify priorities among a variety of tasks.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with attention to detail.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work well with teams and independently.
• Ability to effectively collaborate with coworkers.
• Basic computer skills with proficiency in Microsoft Word and Excel and ability to enter information into a database system.
• Fluency in English and Spanish (verbal & written) required, with ability to interpret and translate from English to Spanish and from Spanish to English.
• Possess a valid driver’s license.
• Notary Public certification required or must be able to become Notary Public Certification within first 90 days of employment.

Salary/ Benefits

Salary ranges from $34,515 – $52,252 depending on experience.  

Our salary scale is predetermined based on the years of relative professional work experience that qualify for this position to ensure equity in pay.  Pisgah Legal Services is a Living Wage Certified Employer.

Employees are eligible for medical, dental, vision and life insurance coverage the 1st of the month following the start date.  Pisgah Legal Services (PLS) pays 100% of the Employee and 50% of the Dependent Cost for BCBS Medical and Dental coverage.  PLS pays 50% of the Employee Coverage Cost for BCBS Vision coverage.   PLS pays 100% of Long-Term & Short-Term Disability Coverage, Life Insurance Coverage of 5x base salary + an additional $15,000 Life & AD&D Coverage.  401k Retirement Plan after 6 months of employment.  Additional Fringe Benefits includes Paid Parental Leave, 12.5 Company Holidays, 22 Paid Leave Days, Paid Sabbatical Leave for Attorneys, Employee Assistance Program for entire household and a great working environment with work life balance!  Our complete benefits guide is available at: https://www.flipsnack.com/5de6a5a7c6f/pisgah-legal-services-2022-benefits-guide/full-view.html 

To Apply

Submit your online application with resume and cover letter through our Career Center located at https://www.pisgahlegal.org/jobs.

PLS 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. 

Pisgah Legal Services is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.

As an Equal Opportunity Employer, we will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified persons with disabilities. Prospective and current employees are encouraged to discuss ADA accommodations with our Human Resources department.

COVID-19 Safety Information:

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, Pisgah Legal Services has worked tirelessly to promote evidence-based practices across our entire organization. With this in mind, as of January 4th, all Pisgah employees will be required to provide proof of their COVID-19 vaccine.   Employees who are unvaccinated or have an approved exemption will be required to provide verified weekly COVID-19 test results.  We currently have COVID-19 safety precautions in place.