Health and Independence Unit -Paralegal (2024)

Community Legal Services of Philadelphia (CLS) is seeking one full-time paralegal for the Health and Independence Unit (H&I) at its North Philadelphia office. Paralegals in the H&I Unit help clients navigate eligibility issues so clients can access public benefits that provide essential income and health coverage including TANF Cash Assistance, SNAP (Food Stamps), Medicaid, Medicare, LIHEAP, SSI and other Social Security benefits. This H&I paralegal will specialize in cases involving benefits from the Social Security Administration (SSA). The paralegal will advocate directly with SSA for clients who are facing termination or reduction of Social Security benefits to help them maximize household income. The paralegal may handle other benefits cases as they arise. Paralegals are integral to the team and take on significant responsibility. Paralegals in this unit carry their own caseloads under the close supervision of an attorney. 

CLS is a non-profit public interest agency providing free civil legal services to low-income Philadelphia residents. As the largest provider of free civil legal services in the Philadelphia area, CLS is both locally and nationally renowned as a premier legal services provider dedicated to ensuring access to justice for all low-income individuals and communities.

JOB DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

The job duties and responsibilities necessary for this position include:

• Conducting intake on schedule with other unit members 
• Interviewing clients (homebound clients who cannot come in for intake are interviewed over the phone or during a home visit, including nursing home clients)
• Filing administrative appeals and engaging in administrative advocacy under the supervision of an attorney
• Analyzing and issue spotting intakes and cases
• Drafting letters and affidavits
• Representing clients (with attorneys) at hearings as needed 
• Presenting community education workshops to educate individuals and families about their legal rights
• Participating in individual client and system advocacy and policy issues, as appropriate

The ideal candidate will have the following skills and abilities:

• Strong client interviewing skills
• Patience and persistence
• Strong analytical, writing, and interviewing skills
• Excellent written and oral advocacy skills
• Strong organizational skills
• Ability to learn a large volume of complex material quickly, initiative, strong interpersonal skills, and ability to interact well in a multi-cultural environment

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• High School Diploma or GED
• Strong writing skills
• Exceptional organizational skills
• Strong computer literacy including proficiency in Microsoft Office

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field or Associate’s degree in Paralegal Studies
• Experience with a social services agency or a nonprofit organization that advocates on behalf of the poor, older adults, and/or people with disabilities, and/or experience in legislative or administrative advocacy
• Experience advocating with the PA Department of Human Services or the Social Security Administration

To Apply: CLS will accept applications on a rolling basis until the position is filled. But applicants should apply by Friday, October 11, 2024, to receive first round consideration. You can submit your application on CLS’s website online at https://clsphila.org/careers/ or submit your application below by clicking "Apply Now".

What to Include in your application: Please include a cover letter, resume, three professional references from current or former supervisors (identifying your relationship), and one brief writing sample (10 pages or less). 

CLS values a diverse work environment and strongly encourages women, people of color, people who identify as LGBTQ, people with disabilities, people who have experienced poverty or homelessness and people who have had prior contact with the juvenile, criminal, or child welfare systems to apply. CLS invites all applicants to include in their cover letter a statement about how your unique background and/or experiences might contribute to the diversity, cultural vitality, and perspective of our staff and legal services practice. 

This is a full-time position covered by the collective bargaining agreement between CLS and the National Union of Hospital and Health Care Employees, AFL-CIO and its affiliate District 1199C. CLS asks for a minimum two-year commitment from individuals who accept an offer of employment for a paralegal position. The current minimum starting salary is $45,970 for entry-level applicants but that salary is subject to change or adjustment if an applicant has relevant years of experience and according to the provisions of the current collective bargaining agreement. Raises and benefits are also governed by that agreement. 

CLS offers a very generous and competitive benefits package including 100% employer paid medical, life, and short/long-term disability benefits, a 403(b) retirement plan with employer match, and generous leave package.  

Community Legal Services, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer. CLS, Inc. does not discriminate in the selection of employees on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, sexual identity, genetics, age, national origin, disability, or veteran status.  In addition to federal law requirements, CLS complies with all applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment.  This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.