Temporary Bilingual Paralegal

**To be considered for this position, applicants must a submit resume and cover letter here: https://vlpprobono.wufoo.com/forms/temporary-bilingual-paralegal/

No other submissions will be considered.

POSITION: Temporary Bilingual Paralegal    

DAYS/HOURS: Monday – Friday, 8:30am – 4:30pm with 1-hour unpaid lunch

REPORTS TO: CELHP Staff Attorney     

STATUS: Non-exempt; Contract ending June 30, 2021 with possible extension

LOCATION: Remote and 7 Winthrop Square, Second Floor, Boston, MA 02110

SALARY: $45,000

DEADLINE: ASAP    

SUMMARY OF POSITION:

Volunteer Lawyers Project (VLP) is seeking a bilingual paralegal to manage aspects of the legal and administrative functions for an 8 Month State-Wide Project related to Covid-19 evictions. 

The Department of Housing & Community Development (DHCD) has engaged the Volunteer Lawyers Project to participate in a statewide coordinated legal services delivery system to deliver free legal assistance to income-eligible tenants and owner-occupants facing eviction or financial hardship due to COVID-19. The COVID Eviction Legal Help Project (CELHP) seeks to ensure that legal assistance is available to all who are eligible.

CELHP will provide referrals, legal information, assistance, and legal representation in all sittings of the Massachusetts Housing Court to preserve or achieve housing stability. The initiative will serve eligible low-income tenants and owner-occupants who live in the home they rent. CELHP will provide legal assistance to low-income tenants in the Greater Boston area and owner-occupants statewide who are at 200% or below the Federal Poverty Level in COVID-related eviction cases. 

Through CELHP, trained staff and pro bono attorneys will help tenants and owner occupants as they navigate the eviction process. All work will be done virtually, in collaboration with other regional legal aid agency and with ongoing mentoring from Volunteer Lawyers Project.

VLP is an equal opportunity employer and seeks to employ a diverse staff. Fluency in both English and Spanish languages is required. This is a grant-funded position through June 30, 2021. Extension of employment beyond this date is contingent on the availability of funding.

QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION/TRAINING:

REQUIRED:        

• Completion of bachelor's degree and/or paralegal certification program

PHYSICAL ABILITIES/SKILLS:

REQUIRED:

• Heavy use of computer programs and applications
• Ability to sit for long periods
• Ability to communicate in person, by telephone, and by computer

MENTAL ABILITIES/SKILLS:

REQUIRED:

• Fluency in English and Spanish
• Strong communication skills, both oral and written, in English and Spanish
• Careful attention to detail
• Reliable and organized
• Customer service-oriented
• Ability to manage multiple tasks, prioritize and meet deadlines
• Compassionate and able to work with low-income populations and be sensitive to their legal needs and socioeconomic status
• Strong knowledge of Microsoft Office
• Ability to be flexible with a sense of initiative
• Ability to navigate through the Internet, research, and locate information
• Ability to gather and present information 

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

• Develop a deep understanding of housing and Landlord/Tenant Law. 
• Handle day-to-day administrative functions of the project including but not limited to intake and screening for eligibility, managing incoming referrals, data entry, client follow up, drafting documents, and managing caseload, attending meetings and trainings, and collaborating closely with other members of the project
• Perform other duties as needed or as directed

Volunteer Lawyers Project is committed to a diverse work environment and is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. Our ideal candidates are respectful of an inclusive work environment. VLP strives to ensure that those working in our organization reflect the diversity of the communities we serve. VLP encourages applicants from a broad spectrum of backgrounds to apply for positions.