Legal Intake & Administrative Support Paralegal

About the Organization

Nationalities Service Center (NSC) serves more than 3,000 immigrants and refugees each year from over 110 countries. We provide comprehensive services in immigration law matters, community transition and integration, access to health and wellness, language proficiency, and job readiness training for immigrants and refugees. NSC’s mission is to welcome and empower immigrants to thrive in our communities and pursue a just future. Our vision is that all immigrants achieve a life of safety and stability, sustainable opportunities, and meaningful community connections.

Job Summary

The Legal Intake & Administrative Support Paralegal (“Intake Paralegal”) is a member of the NSC’s legal team and plays an important role in supporting the legal team. The Intake Paralegal is responsible for responding to requests for legal assistance in a timely, client-centered, and culturally informed manner. The Intake Paralegal also provides general administrative support to ensure compliance with internal and external requirements and best practices.

Essential functions

• Support Client Intake
• Receive and respond to all requests for assistance in a timely, client-centered, and culturally informed manner.
• Conduct intake interviews, mostly over the phone.
• Provide information and assistance to intake callers and clients; facilitate referrals to other legal services programs, private attorneys, social service providers or other resources.
• Identify external resources and maintain updated information about the resource, eligibility criteria, and any referral process.
• Develop and maintain an understanding of internal NSC programs, their eligibility requirements, and referral processes. Assist the Legal Team by identifying Clients eligible for other internal services and making appropriate referrals.
• Serve as a liaison between the NSC Legal Department and other NSC internal programs. Provide information to other NSC internal programs about the work of the Legal Department, eligibility criteria, and referral process.
• Work with the Legal Team to develop and maintain good relationships with community, state and local partners, and other community groups.
• Support the work of the Legal Team
• Provide administrative and general support to the Legal Team.Duties include but are not limited to:
• Process incoming mail according to internal protocols.
• Calendar maintenance.
• Assistance with written and oral Client communications.
• Assist in file archiving and scanning efforts.
• Respond to Client and former Client requests for file copies.
• Track office supply levels and assist with supply orders.
• Hand deliver documents to court/government offices.
• Assist with outgoing mail.
• Help ensure that the legal office area is organized and a welcoming space for Clients.
• Provide coverage for the front desk as needed
• Attend departmental meetings. Present intake updates and share relevant resources and information with the Legal Team.
• Comply with all applicable regulations, policies, and grant requirements, including accurately tracking all time and data. Maintain and document intake and other data in support of compliance and reporting requirements.
• Demonstrate dependability through good attendance, adherence to timelines, schedules, and regular communication with supervisors.
• Attend required trainings and agency meetings. Seek out and participate in additional trainings as needed and as time permits.
• Other duties to support Our Mission
• In coordination with direct supervisors and the legal team, support fundraising efforts. Support may include participation in person events, helping prepare and set up for in person and virtual events, and coordination with NSC’s development team.
• In coordination with the direct supervisor and the legal team, support onboarding and welcoming new staff.
• In coordination with the direct supervision and the legal team, support community outreach and education efforts as well as collaboration with partner organizations.
• Collaborate with colleagues in other ways to support our mission as the need arises.

Qualifications

This position is ideal for someone who is equally adept at administrative tasks and interpersonal communication. The strongest applicants will have the following qualifications:

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills in both Spanish and English; must be able to effectively communicate with Spanish speakers without the use of an interpreter
• Experience working with telephonic interpreters with limited English proficient individuals who do not speak Spanish
• Ability to work well with a wide range of people
• Strong organizational skills, including the ability to adhere to deadlines without exception, and to support others in doing so as well
• Experience and comfort using Microsoft Office tools including Outlook, Word, PowerPoint, and Teams; ability to learn how to use client and data management systems
• Demonstrated resourcefulness and ability to take initiative in supporting NSC’s mission, clients, and colleagues
• Desire to work with and support immigrant communities.
• Strong customer service skills
• Strong reading comprehension skills and ability to follow written instructions.
• Excellent attention to detail
• Willingness to learn, accept constructive feedback, and implement recommended improvements

Education

There are no specific degree requirements for this position. We invite applicants with a range of lived and professional experience to apply.

Level of Language Proficiency

The strongest applicants will have the following qualifications:

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills in both Spanish and English; must be able to effectively communicate with Spanish speakers without the use of an interpreter.
• Experience working with telephonic interpreters with limited English proficient individuals who do not speak Spanish.

Working Conditions

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

1. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
2. This position will be hybrid between NSC’s Center City office and remote work.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

1. While performing the duties of this job, the employee will frequently stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools or equipment; reach with hands and arms; balance; talk or hear. The employee will occasionally climb stairs; stoop; kneel; crouch or crawl; taste or smell.
2. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.
3. Operate general office equipment with frequent work at a computer workstation.
4. Specific vision abilities required by the job include frequent reading and close vision; distance vision; color vision; peripheral vision; depth perception; and the ability to adjust focus.

Commitment to Inclusion Statement

NSC is an equal opportunity employer committed to a policy of non-discrimination in all employment practices and does not discriminate based on race, ethnicity, religion, gender, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, nor any other basis protected under applicable law.

LOCATION AND HOURS This is a full-time, in-person position based in our Philadelphia office with potential for hybrid work as team needs allow. Our regular hours are Monday to Friday, 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, and this position requires working occasional evenings and weekends.

COMPENSATION The salary range is $48,000 - $53,000. The benefits package includes generous vacation and sick leave; paid sabbatical leave; early close Fridays; 83% employer-paid health, dental, and vision coverage; short-term disability, long-term disability, life insurance, 403(b) with an employer match.

While Nationalities Service Center is committed to program sustainability, employment is dependent on the continued availability of funding.

HOW TO APPLY

Please submit a cover letter, resume and complete the online application by going to this link - - https://nscphila.org/about-us/careers.

Classification

Nationalities Service Center recognizes a staff bargaining unit, Nationalities Service Center Staff Union, affiliated with the National Organization of Legal Services Workers (NOLSW), UAW Local 2320, AFL-CIO. The Intake & Administrative Paralegal position is included in the bargaining unit. Some employment terms are subject to collective bargaining.

NOTE: The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by an employee in this position. These statements are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of employees in this position. Nothing in this position description restricts management’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.

Disclaimer

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change, or new ones may be assigned at any time with or without notice.

The benefits package includes generous vacation and sick leave; paid sabbatical leave; early close Fridays; 83% employer-paid health, dental, and vision coverage; short-term disability, long-term disability, life insurance, 403(b) with an employer match.

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills in both Spanish and English; must be able to effectively communicate with Spanish speakers without the use of an interpreter.
• Experience working with telephonic interpreters with limited English proficient individuals who do not speak Spanish.