Legal Advocate, Tenant Rights

Background:

Founded in 1978, SeniorLAW Center is a dynamic nonprofit public interest legal services organization whose mission is to seek justice for older people by using the power of the law, educating the community and advocating on local, state and national levels. We are the only non-profit agency in Pennsylvania wholly dedicated to providing legal assistance to older persons and protecting their legal rights, and one of few in the nation. SeniorLAW Center prioritizes services to older people who are low-income, cultural and racial minorities, the disabled, victims of crime and family violence, and those facing other vulnerabilities and challenges. We fight senior poverty, fraud and homelessness, provide protection from elder abuse and financial exploitation, enable grandparents to raise grandchildren, and improve access to justice.

Position Summary:

The Tenant Rights Legal Advocate is responsible for assisting and advocating on behalf of SeniorLAW Center clients with the primary focus on older tenants facing housing instability, homelessness, and other housing related issues.  

Role-Based Duties and Responsibilities:

Client related

• Handle all aspects of client intake, including, but not limited to:
• retrieving, transcribing and performing prescreen data entry in the case management system
• screening and interviewing walk-in and/or emergency clients in coordination with the Intake, Education, and Pro Bono staff
• conducting client interviews by telephone or in person to screen for eligibility for services
• scheduling, canceling and confirming client appointments
• reviewing on-line intake and/or e-transfers
• reviewing agency-wide project-related checklists with Tenant Rights project clients
• maintaining attorney clinic slots in case management system.

• Assist project staff with case-related tasks including but not limited to:
• preparing and mailing retainers and letters,
• drafting court documents
• communicating with clients or third parties via telephone, email, text message or other by other means
• assisting in preparation of case files for hearing/trial
• assisting in maintenance of case files and case management database
• providing support to attorneys at court, as needed
• conducting home visits to frail or homebound clients
• handling other case or client related tasks as necessary

• Utilize Language line or other interpretation services for Limited English Proficient (LEP) older adults.
• Provide information and referrals to older tenants, linking them to other resources and supportive services, including emergency financial assistance, support groups, health services and other resources.

Community Outreach and Education

• Represent SeniorLAW Center at professional committees/coalitions related to tenant rights issues.
• Assist in the creation and updating of various brochures and other forms for use by Tenant Rights project staff.
• Assist with coordination of outreach requests for the Tenant Rights project team.
• Assist with planning, organizing and presentation of legal education workshops to older adults on tenant rights issues.
• Assist with planning, organizing and attending community outreach and tabling events.

Additional Responsibilities:

• Participate in scheduled project related meetings.
• Participate in staff and Legal team meetings.
• Provide support to other colleagues agency-wide as needed.
• Assist with on-boarding new staff as needed.
• Become knowledgeable of and comply with all SeniorLAW Center’s personnel and legal policies and procedures.
• Demonstrate and model commitment to SeniorLAW Center’s mission and values.
• Participate in SeniorLAW Center’s culture of philanthropy and events to support the organization.
• Other responsibilities to further mission of the project and organization.

Project-Based Duties and Responsibilities:

Client-related

• Review eviction notices, complaints and other legal forms with clients at intake
• Help conduct intake and review documentation for the SeniorLAW Center staff attorney covering the Lawyer of the Day (LOTD) program at court
• Provide advocacy and referrals to SeniorLAW Center clients with the primary focus on older tenants facing housing instability, homelessness, and other housing related issues.
• Assist clients with housing search and applications for rent subsidies.
• Assist with maintenance of resources and referral information for tenants.
• Assist with other special projects, as needed.
• Assist with tenant focused community clinics
• Assist with tenant focused client council

Other Duties:

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Required Education and Experience:

• A. or B.S.
• At least two (2) years experience as a housing counselor, clinical social worker or paralegal

Preferred Education and Experience:

• Paralegal Certificate

Required Knowledge, Skills, Abilities & Behaviors:

• Highly professional, organized, energetic, flexible and culturally sensitive
• Excellent writing, organizational, interpersonal and presentation skills
• Interest and ability to work with older people and persons of different backgrounds

Work Conditions:

• This job operates in a professional office environment.
• This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones and photocopiers.

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 with or without accommodation.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to stand, walk, use hands to finger, handle, feel or operate objects, tools or controls; and reach with hands and arms.  The employee is occasionally required to sit; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl; talk or hear. 

The employee must occasionally lift and/or move objects up to 10 pounds.  Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus. 

Salary Range/Benefit Information: 

This is a full-time exempt hybrid position based in Philadelphia.  Excellent benefits, including fully paid health and dental for employee, long- and short-term disability, 401k, flexible spending plan, and generous holidays and leave time, with a value of over $20,000. Salary range, commensurate with years of experience and SeniorLAW Center’s salary structure: starting salary $46,500.  Note SeniorLAW Center has a mandatory COVID vaccination policy for all staff and volunteers. All applications should include a cover letter, resume and at least three (3) professional references.   

SeniorLAW Center is an equal opportunity employer, which values and seeks diversity and inclusion in all aspects of its work. Persons from diverse backgrounds and orientations are encouraged to apply.