Legal Assistant

CASA & CASA IN ACTION SYNOPSIS:

CASA’s mission is to create a more just society by building power and improving the quality of life in working class Black, Latino/a/e, Afro-descendant, Indigenous, and Immigrant communities. Rooted in the collective power of our community, our inclusive, permanent, member-led movement radically transforms communities and systems to ensure the needs, dreams, and aspirations of members are fully met as we strive for justice and full liberation at home and in solidarity with others across the world. CASA has a sister organization, CASA in Action, a separate, but related, nonprofit organization that is exempt from federal income tax under section 501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code. Although CASA and CASA in Action share a common goal of supporting immigrants and low-income people in Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Virginia, they are separate organizations with their own board of directors. A set of employees at the two organizations, including the person filling this position, shares their time between the two organizations. This has no effect on salary or benefits.

DEPARTMENT SYNOPSIS:

The legal program at CASA operates under the principles of Justice is the goal, law is a means. It is a marathon, not a sprint. We endeavor to find the most creative strategies to combat the abuses and injustices identified by our constituents. We value justice in the largest sense possible, not only one person at a time legal solutions, but broad, transformative solutions created in combination with immigrant leaders, CASA organizers and other staff, other local and national organizations and direct service staff. We value our time and believe that through hard and sustained effort is often required, real rest is also necessary for creativity, stamina and “a life,” however defined.

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Legal Assistant provides general as well as case and project support to the members of the Legal Department. Key components of the position include data entry, verification, and analysis; program report generation, intake scheduling; and volunteer coordination. On assignment, the Legal Assistant will perform other tasks and special projects.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Enter, verify, and/or analyze data relevant to the operations of the Legal Department.
• Compile and report statistics and narrative explanations of clients and cases, activities and results.
• Work with CASA’s IT department and other relevant departments to streamline data entry and reporting.
• Familiarize self with and cultivate relationships and develop a network of agencies that can solve CASA members’ problems.
• Develop and cultivate network of partners who can provide case assistance, including by establishing an efficient program and system for partner coordination, and by serving as a liaison between CASA and relevant partners.
• Communicate with Legal Department staff to identify available opportunities for partner engagement.
• Regularly interact with partners in a professional and effective manner.
• Schedule, coordinate, and assign partners to appropriate opportunities.
• In partnership with Legal Department leadership, draft, maintain, and publish guidelines, best practices and training manuals for partners.
• Schedule and conduct initial client intake and case assessment; follow up with clients as necessary.
• Lead community outreach and education sessions, including “Know Your Rights” sessions.
• Maintain documentation of all client contact and service provision.
• Assist in creating referral guides, updating online guides and publishing community education materials.
• Provide administrative support to the Legal Department, including by ordering office supplies, managing case files, accounting, and publicizing legal services.
• Support CASA’s power building activities, including by referring clients to CASA’s community organizing Department and collaborating with other Departments to achieve organizational objectives and advance relevant campaigns.
• Solve problems presented by CASA members and others identified by the organization as high-priority or urgent.
• Provide high-quality service, interactions and responses to all members, partners, vendors, visitors, callers and any other individual or organization you may encounter in your role with CASA.
• Support the development and expansion of CASA membership program and services.
• Maintain a positive attitude.
• Other duties assigned by supervisor related to position.

EDUCATION/CERTIFICATION/LICENSURE:

• Bachelor degree or minimum of two years of experience performing related work.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES REQUIRED:

• Excellent computer skills, including Microsoft Word and Excel and other databases, and willingness to learn other needed computer programs. Familiarity with Salesforce and Google Workspace is a plus.
• Bilingual English/Spanish (written and spoken). French is a plus.
• Excellent written and spoken communication skills.
• Excellent customer service skills and ability to handle changing situations and walk-in and phone requests.
• Quick learner, able to prioritize tasks in stressful situations.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Experience providing legal services to immigrant or working class communities.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

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.

While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to sit; use hands to finger, do repetitive motions, handle, or feel and reach with hands and arms.

The employee is occasionally required to stand and walk. The employee must rarely lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision and ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is rarely exposed to wet and/or humid conditions and outside weather conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

ADA: CASA will make reasonable accommodations in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.

OSHA: A Legal Program Assistant is not to handle any human body fluids, biological agents, laboratory chemicals, or be exposed to hazardous materials such as noise, asbestos, or carcinogens.

This is a union position, represented in collective bargaining by a Collective Bargaining Agreement with the Communication Workers of America, Local WBNG 32035 - Communication Workers of America (CWA). If you are offered and accept this position, you will be invited to become a member of the union. All bargaining unit positions require membership or agency fee payer status.

CASA Inc. and CASA in Action do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, mental or physical disability, ancestry, marital status or national origin.

This job description will be reviewed periodically as duties and responsibilities change with business necessity. Essential and marginal job functions are subject to modification. Nothing in this job description restricts management's right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.

CASA has implemented a mandatory vaccination policy effective 01 February 2022, requiring COVID‑19 Booster vaccination(s) for all employees and prospective employees, AmeriCorps members, and paid or non-paid internships. In accordance with CASA's duty to provide and maintain a workplace that is free of known hazards, we are adopting this policy to safeguard the health of our employees, AmeriCorps members and interns, and their families, CASA members and visitors, and the community at large from infectious diseases that may be reduced by vaccinations. In making this decision, the executive leadership team reviewed recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, CASA’s Legal Counsel and local health officials. All prospective employees will be required to provide proof of COVID 19 vaccination or appropriate medical / religious accommodation documentation prior to the first day of employment with CASA. AmeriCorps member candidates will be required to provide proof of COVID 19 vaccination or appropriate medical / religious accommodation documentation at the time of presenting proof of citizenship and SSN eligibility.