Job Description

POSITION: Paralegal/Legal Advocate – Jenesse Center’s Legal Services Department

JOB SUMMARY: Jenesse Center, Inc. has an immediate opening for a bi-lingual Paralegal/Legal Advocate in our Legal Services Department, which provides free legal assistance to clients in Jenesse’s residential and drop-in programs. The Paralegal/Legal Advocate is responsible for interviewing and assessing new clients at intake to ascertain program eligibility. Duties include legal case plan development and management, legal education and advocacy, drafting of legal pleadings and filings, explanation of court process, court accompaniment and support, assistance with humanitarian forms of immigration relief including U-Visas, T-Visas, VAWA Self-Petitions, and Battered Spouse Waivers. Responsible for tracking and compiling data regarding client demographics, legal issues presented and services provided in compliance with CalWORKS/GAIN/GROW contractual mandates, other grants, and contract requirements, and Legal Services Department protocols. Work closely with Jenesse Center’s Case Management Team to ensure effective service delivery for all Jenesse clients. Work closely with staff attorneys to support ongoing Legal Services Department programs and projects. Support Jenesse’s pro bono initiatives by, among other things, screening and scheduling of participants and conducting follow-up and support for pro bono clinic participants; outreach to the community regarding our pro bono programs and other Jenesse services.

PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Case Assessment and Strategy Development

• Conduct client interviews to assess for legal services;
• Assist with legal research and drafting of legal pleadings and documents, including U and T Visa Applications, VAWA Self-Petitions, and Battered Spouse Waivers

Client Advocacy

• Support clients in their family law and immigration matters including, but not limited to petitions for dissolution of marriage, petitions to establish paternity, custody, visitation, and child support, and applications for Domestic Violence Protection Orders pursuant to Jenesse Center case acceptance criteria;
• Provide individualized, holistic, trauma-informed services to clients, including connecting clients to non-legal community-based services.

Case Management

• Ensure timely and accurate case file maintenance, including electronic records;
• Maintain good working relationships with clients through frequent, proactive communication;
• Calendar court events/client visits and meet all case deadlines;
• Collect and report case-related data in case management system;
• Comply with agency protocols and grant requirements regarding data tracking and reporting pertaining to client demographics, legal issues presented, and services provided.

Other Responsibilities

• Complete grant-required forms and reports;
• Follow all Jenesse Center policies and procedures and standards of professional responsibility;
• Participate in mandatory staff training and meetings and perform other duties as assigned;
• Represent Jenesse Center’s Legal Services Department at inter-departmental, city, county, state, regulatory, civic, or community organization meetings and outreach events;
• Work with Managing Staff Attorney to support Jenesse Center Legal Services Department programs and projects.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Paralegal certification from an accredited school or program, or equivalent work experience.
• Experience preparing USCIS administrative applications (U and T Visas, VAWA Self-Petitions, BSW’s).
• Experience preparing and filing family law pleadings including Domestic Violence Protection Orders, Parentage Petitions, Dissolution Petitions, and requests for orders.
• Minimum of 2 years of experience working with survivors of domestic and intimate partner violence, sexual assault, human trafficking, and other crimes against persons.
• FLUENCY IN WRITTEN AND SPOKEN SPANISH; ABILITY TO INTERPRET AND TRANSLATE FROM SPANISH TO ENGLISH AND ENGLISH TO SPANISH IS MANDATORY.

PREFERRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Demonstrated ability to provide culturally sensitive, trauma-informed services.
• Strong interpersonal, organizational, and time management skills.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, dynamic environment requiring flexibility and strong collaboration skills.
• Attention to detail and superior written and oral communication and advocacy skills.
• Demonstrated commitment to working with survivors of trauma including domestic violence, sexual assault, human trafficking, and other crimes against persons.
• Ability to work successfully with people from diverse backgrounds and all levels of personnel.
• Self-motivated, proactive, ability to work independently.

SALARY AND BENEFITS: THE SALARY range is $39,000 — $50,000 commensurate with experience. Jenesse Center offers full-time staff a generous benefits package, including 100% employer-paid medical and paid sick and vacation leave. Employees also have the option to participate in a contributory 401(k) retirement plan, and dependent and health flex savings accounts (FSA).

ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION: Founded in 1980, Jenesse is one of the oldest and largest nonprofit domestic violence intervention and prevention organizations in South Los Angeles. Jenesse’s MISSION is to restore, and provide trauma-informed, culturally responsive holistic, comprehensive services to survivors and families impacted by domestic and sexual violence; and to advance prevention modalities to sustain healthy and safe communities free of violence. Jenesse’s multi-disciplinary shelter staff provides services 24 hours per day, 365 days per year. We foster a wellness-based and culturally responsive community by providing numerous support services.

Established in 1999, Jenesse Center's Legal Services Program provides a full complement of direct legal services to clients in Jenesse's residential and drop-in programs. Services range from brief counsel and advice to representation in family law and administrative immigration matters. Legal services are provided as part of a comprehensive, holistic approach designed to help families transition from crisis to safety, stability, and self-reliance. In 2001, Jenesse opened the Domestic Violence Clinic at the Inglewood Courthouse - one of the first in Los Angeles run by a domestic violence intervention program - offering free assistance to members of the public seeking domestic violence protection orders. Our work extends to the community at large through a number of pro bono initiatives.

TO APPLY: Please send a resume and cover letter to Alyson Messenger via email at amessenger@jenesse.org with “Paralegal/Legal Advocate Position” in the subject line. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.

Jenesse Center, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer.

Company Description

Founded in 1980, Jenesse is one of the oldest and largest nonprofit domestic violence intervention and prevention organizations in South Los Angeles. Jenesse’s mission is to restore, and provide trauma informed, culturally responsive holistic, comprehensive services to survivors and families impacted by domestic and sexual violence; and to advance prevention modalities to sustain healthy and safe communities free of violence. Jenesse’s multi-disciplinary shelter staff provides services 24 hours per day, 365 days per year. We foster a wellness based and culturally responsive community by providing the following services: Community outreach and education, youth programs, faith based outreach and domestic violence training, intervention program & services, 24-hour crisis hotline, drop-in services, emergency and transitional housing, counseling services, and direct legal services.