Paralegal

Paralegal, Evelyn Frank Legal Resources Program

About NYLAG

Founded in 1990, NYLAG is a leading civil legal services organization combatting economic, racial, and social injustice by advocating for people experiencing poverty or in crisis. Our services include comprehensive, free civil legal services, financial empowerment, impact litigation, policy advocacy, and community partnerships. NYLAG exists because wealth should not determine who has access to justice. We aim to disrupt systemic racism by serving individuals and families whose legal and financial crises are often rooted in racial inequality. NYLAG goes to where the need is, providing services in more than 150 community sites (e.g. courts, hospitals, libraries) and on our Mobile Legal Help Center. NYLAG’s staff of over 400 impacted the lives of nearly 129,000 people last year.

Job Description:

NYLAG has an opening for a paralegal in its Evelyn Frank Legal Resources Program (EFLRP) unit. EFLRP is a leader in the fight for access to health and long-term care services for low-income New Yorkers who, because of aging and/or disability, depend on Medicaid home care services to remain in their homes and avoid institutionalization. EFLRP represents clients, provides technical assistance to social workers and attorneys, conducts community outreach and education, and engages in policy reform efforts. The paralegal in this position will primarily staff our telephonic and email intake systems and provide administrative support on our grants. In addition, the paralegal, under the supervision of an attorney, will work directly with Medicaid and Medicare beneficiaries to address their legal need in accessing care. This includes counseling clients on Medicaid eligibility, helping them apply for Medicaid and Medicaid services, and troubleshooting problems through advocacy including administrative hearings.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Conduct client intakes, interviews, and answer phoneline and email during assigned intake shifts.
• Provide administrative support, including significant data entry, on certain grants.
• Provide direct representation, advocacy, education, and counseling to consumers and/or their caregivers or advocates, concerning eligibility for Medicaid, Medicare, benefits coverage, and assist with administrative appeals under the supervision of an attorney.
• Maintain client case records as directed.
• Conduct intakes and counsel clients in at least one of the most commonly spoken languages among limited English proficiency (LEP) New Yorkers. Provide translations for attorneys representing LEP clients.
• Participate in unit-wide case review and staff meetings.
• With experience, assist in conducting
• educational presentations for consumers, caregivers and advocates, represent
• NYLAG at community events, and assist in writing and updating articles for the
• website at www.nyhealthaccess.org.
• With experience, participate in city-wide and state-wide coalitions involving policy advocacy for dual eligibles and other Medicaid recipients.
• Travel within New York City to clients’ homes to conduct interviews of homebound clients, and to government agency and outreach sites. Travel to Albany for trainings may also be required.
• Fulfill other tasks identified by Supervisor or Unit Director.

Qualifications:

Education/Admittance required: Associate or Bachelor degree required

Experience preferred:

• Commitment to advocacy on behalf of low-income people and immigrants, including experience with public health insurance programs.
• Excellent written and interpersonal skills[KM1] , including telephone etiquette;
• Knowledge of MS Office and/or Salesforce;
• Ability to work independently as well as collaboratively in a team;
• Ability to manage cases, working directly with clients, under the supervision of an attorney.

Language Requirement: Fluency in one of the most commonly spoken languages among limited English proficiency (LEP) New Yorkers including, but not limited to, Spanish, Chinese, Russian, Korean, Haitian Creole, or Bengal.

NYLAG’s Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion

NYLAG is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. People of color, women, people with disabilities, immigrants, veterans, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer people, and those with lived experiences in the communities we serve are strongly encouraged to apply.

Employment type:

☒ Full-time

Professional Level:

☒ Entry level

Salary Range: NYLAG is a unionized workplace, and salaries are set pursuant to a collective bargaining agreement. The current salary range for this position is between $65,500-$68,770.

Benefits: Medical, dental, vision, 401k, life insurance, long term disability, commuter benefits, flexible spending accounts (FSA) for Medical and Dependent care.

Application Instructions: Please save resume and cover letter on one pdf.

NYLAG is committed to a hybrid work policy for staff whose work does not require their full-time presence in the office. NYLAG’s current policy is that most staff are required to work in NYLAG’s offices or do other in-person work at least two days each week. This policy is subject to change.

[KM1]I know that this is going to sound silly – but do we want to include telephone skills or is that implied in interpersonal skills