Paralegal (Homeownership & Consumer Rights Unit)
Description:
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.
This is a full-time paralegal position with Community Legal Services' Homeownership & Consumer Rights Unit (HCRU) in our North Philadelphia office, focusing on tangled title work as it relates to homeownership. The Homeownership & Consumer Rights Unit, located at our 1410 W. Erie Avenue office, fights for the stability of vulnerable individuals and families by representing homeowners facing mortgage foreclosure, tax foreclosure, and tangled title issues threatening homeownership. The unit uses advocacy and litigation to preserve homeownership for clients throughout the city, and improve fairness in the tax systems.
The paralegal will interview clients to assess their legal circumstances, help clients draft and record deeds, assist with probating estates, complete applications for mortgage loan modifications and property tax programs, negotiate agreements with mortgage companies and their attorneys, and assist with case preparation, discovery, and documents to be filed in court.
This is a two year 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. 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 $37, 800 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.
Requirements:
Required Qualifications: Strong writing skills, computer literacy, the ability to learn complex material quickly, initiative, strong interpersonal skills and ability to interact well in a multi-cultural environment.
Preferred Qualifications: Two-year/four year college undergraduate degree or paralegal certificate. Experience in legislative or administrative advocacy, or experience with a social services agency or a nonprofit organization that advocates on behalf of the poor. Fluency in writing and speaking a language other than English, preferably Spanish.
To Apply:
To Apply: CLS will accept applications until Friday, September 20, 2019. You can submit your application on CLS’s website online at: https://clsphila.org/about-cls/available-positions OR https://clsphiladelphia.applytojob.com/apply/bt2siTGpOR/Homeownership-Consumer-Rights-Unit-Tangled-Title-Paralegal
What to Include in your application: Please include a cover letter, resume, three professional references and one brief writing sample (10 pages or less). Community Legal Services 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.
Information
Submission Deadline:
September 20, 2019
Organization Information:
Community Legal Services
1424 Chestnut St.
Philadelphia, PA
19102
United States
Phone:
215-981-3744
See map: Google Maps
Organization URL: