CCLS Paralegal - Legal Advice Line (Mendota)

Reports to
Directing Attorney  

FLSA Status

Full-Time, Non-Exempt (Union position)

Application Deadline  

Until Filled 

Salary 

$20.22 to $32.79 per hour

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

Central California Legal Services (CCLS) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that was founded in 1966 for the purpose of providing free civil legal services to low-income individuals. CCLS core counties include Fresno, Kings, Mariposa, Merced, Tulare, and Tuolumne. CCLS’s health work also extends to San Luis Obispo, Monterey, San Benito, and Stanislaus counties. In Madera County, CCLS provides limited services to seniors and on health issues. CCLS has offices in Fresno, Merced, and Visalia, and satellite offices in Mendota and Los Banos. With nearly one hundred (100) employees, CCLS’s work includes direct services that meet our clients’ immediate needs, education, and advocacy.

JOB DESCRIPTION

Under supervision of the Legal Advice Line (LAL) Directing Attorney, the LAL Paralegal will be based out of the CCLS Mendota satellite office. The LAL Paralegal will work virtually with the team to ensure that incoming calls from potential and current clients are answered, assessed, and processed in a consistently accurate and timely manner. This position will also be responsible for client interviews; document retrieval, drafting, maintenance, and mailing. The LAL Paralegal will work closely with legal advocates on other teams in addressing client’s cases, in addition to assignments of other organizational projects. 

DUTIES

• Consistently and professionally represent CCLS in the Mendota office and community;
• Effectively and efficiently answer incoming calls and assist the team with call backs;
• Conduct initial applicant screening, uploading documents to Legal Server case files, performing conflict checks, determining eligibility for services, and providing referrals to applicants that are determined to be non-eligible;
• Interview clients determined to be eligible by phone, enter client information and notes into the computer system and maintain client files electronically, conveying legal information and counsel, assembling and mailing appropriate correspondence, such as closing and rejection letters and literature to clients as needed; 
• Participate in organizational projects as assigned;
• Continuously improve knowledge and ability to provide efficient, high quality legal assistance, engaging in community outreach as directed;
• Perform other duties as assigned. 

QUALIFICATIONS

• Ability to be punctual and reliable in attending work and keeping work commitments;
• Capable of effectively and courteously conversing with individuals from the client community who communicate using other languages or methods (with the use of an interpreter as needed);
• Ability to interact with individuals and groups in a professional, courteous, and culturally competent manner;
• Ability to work both independently and cooperatively in a team environment; maintain positive working relationships with team and other staff members; and provide and receive assistance from the team and other staff members;
• Ability to work under pressure and deal with stress while maintaining a professional and appropriate manner with callers and staff;
• Ability to speak on the phone and take consecutive calls for up to two hours without a break, multiple times per day;
• Ability to work quickly but accurately, multi-task, and meet short timelines;
• Ability to engage in outreach activities in the community when required;
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, and ability to document work activities on a contemporaneous and accurate basis;
• Ability to obtain and maintain detailed understanding and ensure compliance with grantor requirements and CCLS policy and practices;
• Ability to obtain and maintain detailed understanding of substantive law areas addressed by the Legal Advice Line;
• Bilingual ability to fluently and effectively speak, understand and courteously converse with English, Spanish, and/or Hmong speakers strongly preferred; 
• Competency/experience with PC systems and standard software (Microsoft Office, Access, Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, and other relevant databases);
• Reliable transportation, a valid CA Drivers’ License with appropriate car insurance.

CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

• Education, training and experience sufficient to meet the requirements of Business & Professions Code § 6450, including documentation of at least one of the following:
• A certificate of completion of a paralegal program approved by the American Bar Association;
• A certificate of completion of a paralegal program, or a degree from a postsecondary institution that requires the successful completion of a minimum of 24 semester (or equivalent) units in law-related courses and that has been accredited by a national or regional accrediting organization or approved by the Bureau for Private Postsecondary and Vocational Education;
• A baccalaureate degree or an advanced degree in any subject, a minimum of one year of law-related experience under the supervision of an attorney who has been an active member of the State Bar of California for at least the preceding three years or who has practiced in the federal courts of this state for at least the preceding three years, and a written declaration from this attorney stating that the person is qualified to perform paralegal tasks;
• A high school diploma or general equivalency diploma, a minimum of three years of law-related experience under the supervision of an attorney who has been an active member of the State Bar of California for at least the preceding three years or who has practiced in the federal courts of this state for at least the preceding three years, and a written declaration from this attorney stating that the person is qualified to perform paralegal tasks.