Employment Unit Special Project Coordinator

Community Legal Services, Inc. of Philadelphia is a non-profit public interest agency providing free civil legal services to low-income Philadelphia residents.  As the largest provider of free civil legal services in the Philadelphia area, CLS is both locally and nationally renowned as a premier legal services provider dedicated to ensuring access to justice for all low-income individuals and communities.  CLS has eight legal units covering a wide range of civil legal services.  The Employment Unit, located at our 1424 Chestnut Street office, represents clients with employment-related problems, including tackling barriers to employment, seeking unpaid wages, and preserving jobs.

CLS is seeking a Special Project Coordinator in the Employment Unit for the Clean Slate Project.  This full-time position will be located at the 1424 office location.  The Special Project Coordinator will focus on specific tasks and duties supporting implementation of the new Clean Slate Law, with additional responsibilities similar to the Lead Operator job function such as performing secretarial and administrative duties utilizing legal terminology, procedures and documents, as well as preparing legal papers and correspondence. Tasks will include but are not limited to:

       Coordinating volunteer assistance through the Clean Slate Screening Project:

• Corresponding with pro bono coordinators at law firms, as well as with other volunteer attorneys, paralegals, and law students acting under attorney supervision.

• Managing the logistics for attorney trainings and events where volunteers can screen candidates for Clean Slate.
• Helping to advertise volunteer opportunities to recruit additional volunteers.

Tracking project progress:

• Organizing and tracking information across multiple spreadsheets to ensure clients are receiving responses to screening requests and that responses are being properly documented by volunteers.
• Communicating with screening clients when necessary to inform them of project updates.

Community/client outreach:

• Help coordinate Clean Slate trainings and presentations with community-based organizations, social service providers, and client groups.

• Maintain updated bank of Clean Slate resources in both hard and soft copy, and ensure mycleanslatepa.com website has updated materials.
• Develop story bank for clients who benefit from Clean Slate or will benefit from future expansions of the law, and communicate with clients who are interested in engaging in future advocacy efforts.

Office tasks:

• Copy editing/proofreading
• Backup IT support
• Meeting scheduling and logistics
• Taking and distributing meeting notes
• Assembling materials for meetings
• Compiling data and reports for various contracts
• Help with mailings

Required Skills and Abilities:

• Excellent organizational skills
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Ability to manage multiple tasks, deadlines and priorities
• Fast learner and someone who can adapt to and excel in a fast changing environment
• Strong background in planning and/or coordinating trainings, outreach, or other community focused engagements
• Experience with relationship building and relationship management
•             Experience effectively managing volunteers

Other Essential Functions of this job similar to the Lead Operator/Secretary Position at CLS:

   Document Production:

• Compose and type correspondence of a routine nature
• Assemble office forms and/or statistics, and files and transmits to others as needed and appropriate.
• Uses word processing and other software programs such as Excel, Word, and PowerPoint to produce documents
• Run reports in Legal Server

  Clerical:

• Operate and maintain office machinery necessary to complete assignments, such as fax, photocopy, scan and type
• Sort and distribute mail
• Maintain office supplies, route supply requisitions, purchase orders and check requests
• Perform minor maintenance of office equipment
• If licensed, notarize documents

Case Management and Calendaring:

• Opens and/or closes cases for case handlers and performs conflict checks.
• Maintains court and/or office calendars and tickler systems for designated staff members.
• Maintains records of unit intake.
• Maintains follow up records relating to legal matters in progress and ensures that legal requirements and deadlines are met.
• Is familiar with the court and administrative agency systems and practices, files papers as required.

  Database Management/Statistical Analysis:

• Database management, including data entry, maintain mailing lists, report generation and statistical analysis.
• Establishes and/or maintains filing systems, appointment calendars, and master calendar systems

Miscellaneous:

• Performs additional functions and other duties as requested
• No formal supervision responsibility.  Responsibility for one’s own work product and work within the unit.

  Skills and Ability To:

• Provide unit staff with a comprehensive level of secretarial and administrative support to ensure that work is produced in an accurate and professional manner.
• Provide a positive interactive liaison between the case handlers and their clients and other professional.
• Ensure that there is a flexible flow of support around the daily activities faced by CLS staff.
• Provide mentoring assistance to new staff members as appropriate and necessary in order to ensure consistent staff development.
• Spell, punctuate and use grammar proficiently.
• Be dependable, show initiative and concern for the interests of clients.
• Work cooperatively with other staff.
• Organize information in a clear and concise manner.
• Deal with people in a non-judgmental, empathetic, patient and understanding manner, which shows sensitivity, tact and professionalism.
• Exercise superior judgment, creativity and decisiveness.
• Be efficient in an environment that is subject to many interruptions.
• Establish, organize and maintain files.
• Speak clearly, concisely and effectively; listen to and understand information and ideas as presented verbally.
• Communicate information and ideas clearly and concisely in writing; read and understand information presented in writing.
• Maintain a good attendance record and be punctual for the start of the business day and upon returning from lunch and breaks.

This is a full-time position covered by the collective bargaining agreement between Community Legal Services, Inc. (CLS) and the National Union of Hospital and Health Care Employees, AFL-CIO and its affiliate District 1199C.  The current minimum starting salary is $31, 100 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.

Community Legal Services, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes applicants of all diverse backgrounds to apply.  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 and transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.