Receptionist/Intake Paralegal

Legal Services NYC (LSNYC) fights poverty and seeks racial, social and economic justice for low-income New Yorkers. For over 50 years, we have challenged systemic injustices that trap people in poverty and provided legal services that help our clients meet basic needs for housing, income and economic security, family and immigration stability, education, and health care. LSNYC is the largest civil legal services provider in the country; our staff of more than 600 people in neighborhood-based offices and outreach sites across all five boroughs helps hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers annually. We partner with scores of community-based and client-run organizations, elected officials, public agencies, pro bono lawyers, and the courts to maximize our effectiveness. Our work fights discrimination and helps to achieve equity for all low-income New Yorkers.

LSNYC employees have numerous opportunities for growth and professional development, including access to our internal Justice Learning Center, which provides opportunities to earn free CLEs and gain experience as a trainer. 

 JOB ANNOUNCEMENT: INTAKE PARALEGAL/RECEPTIONIST 

 

Manhattan Legal Services (MLS) is seeking a motivated individual to fill the role of Intake Paralegal/Receptionist in the Housing Rights Project for our vibrant community-based civil legal advocacy organization based in Manhattan, as well as performing Receptionist duties, as needed, at MLS. The position is available immediately. 

 

About Us 

Manhattan Legal Services (MLS) is part of Legal Services NYC (LSNYC), the largest provider of free civil legal services for low-income people in the country. We are dedicated to providing high-quality legal services in the areas of housing, family law, public benefits, employment, consumer, education, immigration, and disability rights. We are committed to working in partnership with community-based organizations in the communities we serve in order to address the causes of homelessness, hunger and family disintegration. This is an exciting opportunity for someone dedicated to serving the needs of low-income individuals. 

 

MLS is seeking a full-time Intake Paralegal/Receptionist for a fully in-person role, working primarily out of our Manhattan office and, as needed, at Housing Court and off-site community partner locations. 

 

As an Intake Paralegal, responsibilities include all duties outlined in the collective bargaining agreement, including: 

• Conducting eligibility screenings of potential clients, including obtaining necessary demographic data and helping to identify the scope of a client’s request for assistance;  

• Providing applicants and clients with information, referrals and/or advice under the supervision of an attorney;  

• Entering and tracking client information in databases and grants management systems, running data reports and assisting in audit preparation;  

• Opening and closing case files and ensuring compliance with program protocols;  

• Coordinating follow-up services, including appointments, referrals, and client correspondences, and gathering documents and other information; 

• Assisting case-handlers on client-related matters, including making phone calls, sending correspondence and obtaining information; 

• Providing information, referrals and/or advice under the supervision of an attorney;  

• Maintaining client-related files, including copying, scanning, uploading, and distributing documents;  

• Using language-assistance resources, including translation and interpretation services;  

• Answering questions and helping to acclimate staff to intake procedures;  

• Maintaining familiarity with using internal and external resources to provide referrals 

• Conducting off-site intake including at courthouse or at community partner locations and occasionally working outside of regular business hours. 

 

 The Receptionist role will support our work representing clients by performing tasks related to client services, office administration, and document management.  

 Responsibilities include: 

• Operating the central telephone equipment in the office;  

• Taking messages and leaving them in the appropriate place for staff members;  

• Speaking to each prospective client or visitor who entered the office to determine whether or not they can be helped;  

• Referring persons who cannot be served by the office to the appropriate agency, if available, or informing people that no assistance is available if that is the case;  

• Performing preliminary intake or screening interview, including preparation of appropriate forms, which may require occasional typing;  

• Maintaining a chart indicating the location of every staff person, who must report their location and schedule to the Receptionist;  

• Sorting and distributing the mail, if assigned to do so by the supervisor; and  

• Occasional filing. 

 

Experiences and Qualifications:  

The successful candidate must be detail-oriented, a good communicator, have excellent interviewing skills, able to handle a busy reception desk, and interact with a wide range of people including low-income clients, case handlers, and representatives of community organizations. The candidate must also be skilled in Microsoft Word, and Excel. Prior legal services experience is preferred. Experience dealing with the public, office experience, and experience as a receptionist is strongly preferred. An associates, college or paralegal degree or equivalent skills demonstrated by professional or life experience preferred. Additionally, the candidate must demonstrate a commitment to social justice and working in low-income communities and communities of color to advance equity. The ability to communicate in Spanish, Chinese, or French is preferred. 

 

MLS offers an excellent benefits package and competitive public interest salary, including health, dental, and vision insurance plans; contributions to a 403(b) plan; and generous leave time. Salary is commensurate with experience. 

This position is a non-managerial position. Staff members who are not managers are members of the LSSA/NOLSW UAW Local 2320 Union. 

All employees are strongly encouraged to continue to receive and maintain up-to-date COVID vaccinations unless they are unable to for medical or religious reasons.

Legal Services NYC is an equal opportunity employer. People of color, women, people with disabilities, people over 40, and gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people are strongly encouraged to apply.