Outreach Coordinator Paralegal

Description

Florida Rural Legal Services, Inc. (FRLS) is a non-profit law firm that provides free civil legal aid to eligible individuals, families, and vulnerable communities across 13 Florida counties, as well as to farmworkers statewide. Since 1966, FRLS has been dedicated to justice, offering legal services in housing law, family law, consumer protection, public benefits, elder law, disaster relief, education law, tax advocacy, and more—at no cost to our clients. FRLS partners with community organizations and pro bono attorneys to provide quality advocacy, outreach, and education aimed at protecting the rights of those in need. For over 50 years, FRLS has been a steadfast advocate for justice. Learn more at www.FRLS.org.

We are looking for a hard-working Outreach Coordinator Paralegal to join our organization, specifically serving Charlotte and DeSoto counties. The Outreach Coordinator Paralegal is primarily responsible for providing the most up-to-date education and information on various FRLS legal services. As an Outreach Coordinator Paralegal, you will be the main point of contact between the organization and the broader community. This involves creating newsletters, promoting our initiatives on social media, helping community members with program enrollment, maintaining strong relationships with key stakeholders in the community, and coordinating internal and external information sharing. 

Our ideal candidate is a motivated, passionate individual who shares our values and believes in our mission, has strong interpersonal skills, is a great communicator, and has 3+ years of experience developing and implementing community outreach programs.

Duties and Responsibilities

1. Maintain a calendar of outreach activities, including community events, faith-based entities, workshops, appearances, and other communication opportunities.
2. Prepare an annual calendar for community outreach activities.
3. Establish new and nurture old relationships with collaborative partners.
4. Schedule regular outreach exhibitions in the community designed to educate employees on community responsibility.
5. Schedule legal clinics in collaboration with community partners.
6. Teach classes on basic legal topics, such as our federal tax system and housing rights and benefits.
7. Prepare accurate records and reports on outreach goals.
8. Contact community organizations serving low-income communities and FRLS’s target populations, explaining the mission and services.
9. Meet regularly with outreach project partners to give updates and plan outreach.
10. Conduct phone intakes
11. Perform other tasks and duties as assigned or required.

Requirements

1. Friendly, professional, and empathic manner.
2. Strong client-first work ethic.
3. Ability to apply creative approaches to problem-solving; flexibility and adaptability in a fast-paced work environment.
4. Excellent oral and written communication skills.
5. Excellent organizational skills, with attention to detail.
6. Ability to multi-task and prioritize assignments.
7. Technical proficiency with standard office equipment.
8. Fluency with Microsoft Office suite applications (Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint) and online office tools and
9. Ability to travel frequently, especially within Charlotte and DeSoto counties. 

Minimum Job Requirements:

1. Three-to-four years of professional experience as an outreach coordinator, paralegal, or housing advocate, provided that an additional degree from an accredited institution may be substituted for required experience on a year-for-year basis.
2. Availability to work flexible hours, including occasional evenings and weekends, to best fulfill the goals of the outreach project.
3. Cultural literacy and humility in working with low-income clients across the spectrum of diversity.
4. A demonstrated commitment to social, economic, and racial justice and providing high quality legal assistance to low-income communities.

Education and Qualifications

1. Excellent oral and written communication
2. Ability to build and maintain positive relationships
3. Competency with equipment and legal information pertaining to legal intake screenings
4. High School or GED equivalent
5. Paralegal certification required.
6. Must be able to travel up to 70% of the time

Salary and Benefits: 

The starting salary for this position is $38,500, which is based on a union scale and adjusted upward depending on experience. FRLS offers a very generous benefits package that includes 403(b) with employer-paid contribution; health insurance (medical, dental, and vision) for employees and their dependents; paid leave (up to 5 weeks of PTO, 2 personal days, and 13 holidays). FRLS Paralegals operate in an in-office environment, requiring work in their assigned office five days a week.