Tacomaprobono Community Lawyers Veterans Service Officer/Paralegal Tacoma, WA · Full time Company website

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Position Title: Veteran Service Officer/Paralegal

Department: Family Safety Project

Reports To: VALOR Managing Attorney

FLSA Status: Non-exempt

Position Type: Full-time

Work Location: Hybrid

Nature of Work and Position Duties

Our VALOR VSO/Paralegal will perform case management functions for our managing attorney, including filing pleadings and other legal documents in active litigation. Our VALOR VSO/Paralegal will also conduct new client intakes, schedule clients, perform various functions to prepare clients to meet with the VALOR managing attorney, support the managing attorney at legal clinics, and sometimes attend public outreach events.

The VALOR VSO/Paralegal works collaboratively with other Tacomaprobono staff to provide professional, client-centered representation to low-income veterans facing legal issues contributing to increased risk of homelessness. This position includes some work-from-home options, but also requires regular time in office, as well as attendance at remote clinics held in Pierce County and the greater South Sound region.

Essential VALOR Paralegal Functions

• Prepare and manage high-volume caseload
• Conduct client intake
• Check/maintain client contact
• Manage attorney calendar and schedule
• Interview, counsel, and perform referral duties for eligible, indigent discharged veterans and/or their beneficiaries (widow, children) residing in Thurston County and the greater South Sound region.
• Develop and implement extensive case management for veterans: disburse relief funds within established guidelines or make referrals to other agencies for assistance.
• Assist veterans and dependents with obtaining documents required to apply for VA benefits (DD214, birth and death certificates, etc.)
• Provide outreach to military installations, employment offices, service providers, community service centers, and other public locations to explain the Incarcerated Program.
• Conduct intensive inter-agency coordination with a variety of local, State and Federal agencies.
• Maintain solid and professional communications with other resource and referral agencies.
• Must be able to maintain confidentiality in dealing with sensitive issues and clients.
• Maintain regular, predictable and punctual attendance during regularly scheduled work hours.
• Must be able to travel to assigned work locations including conducting field investigations.
• Perform the physical requirements of the position; work within the established working conditions of the position. 
• Work a flexible schedule, which may include evenings, weekends, and holidays. May be on call as required. 
• Perform other job functions as assigned.

In Office

• Meet with clients to prepare answers or appointments of counsel
• Interview clients and draft necessary documents (disability application packets, declarations, petitions)
• Provide clients with relevant resources and packets (records requests, housing resources, community program resources)

Veteran Rights Clinics/Outreach

• Manage clinics and ensure correct legal issues are scheduled in LegalServer
• Facilitate clinics as needed
• Check clients out after attorney advice and scheduling for follow-up, as needed
• Ensuring all drafted letters are mailed to opposing counsel/party

Experience and Qualifications

• VSO Accreditation (or willingness to obtain)
• Knowledge of Veteran specific rights and privileges within the law, or a commitment to learn this specialized field
• Litigation and direct client management experience
• Demonstrated experience working directly with low-income clients, individuals from diverse ethnic, cultural, and socio-economic backgrounds, survivors of domestic violence or sexual assault, individuals from historically marginalized and oppressed communities
• Established commitment to providing legal assistance to low-income clients
• Demonstrated ability to work both independently and collaboratively with others
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and LegalServer or other case management software

Physical Requirements

The physical demands described here are representative of those required by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the position: ability to sit or stand for extended periods of time; interact with computer screens; and manipulate essential computer components (i.e., mouse and keyboard). Mobility around the office, and the abilities to bend/stoop, push/pull, and perform unassisted lifting consistent with the job duties are required. Travel to remote legal clinics held in Pierce County and the Greater South Sound area is required, and transportation is not provided (but mileage is reimbursed).

Compensation and Benefits

The salary for this position is $29.12 per hour. Compensation increases are based on years of experience in a particular or substantially similar role, rather than on individual negotiations, which have been shown to contribute to pay disparity. Tacomaprobono is committed to a work environment that supports a healthy work-life balance. We have a 35-hour work week and offer a comprehensive compensation package that includes the following benefits:

• 11 paid holidays annually
• 5-20 paid vacation days annually (dependent on tenure)
• Two-week paid holiday closure around Christmas and New Year’s
• Sick leave accrual at a rate of 1 hour for every 35 hours worked and a generous sick leave carryover
• Paid bereavement leave
• Paid parental and family leave
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness
• 403(b) Retirement Plan

In addition, we pay 100% of employee premiums for health, vision, dental, EAP benefits, and offer discounted pet insurance.

To Apply

For consideration, submit a letter of interest, resume, and 3 professional references to [email protected].

Our Mission

The mission of Tacomaprobono Community Lawyers is to combat systemic racism and other forms of discrimination by expanding access to civil legal justice. We provide free holistic legal services, including representation, advice, and education to those persons who by reason of poverty are unable to effectively access the legal system.

To further this mission, Tacomaprobono Community Lawyers develops and manages a wide variety of service delivery programs, including ongoing cooperative work with other legal aid and social service providers. Working collaboratively with these organizations, Tacomaprobono Community Lawyers identifies and addresses legal need and barriers to access; makes volunteer, educational and support opportunities available to volunteer attorneys, paralegals and students in Pierce County; and works to remove barriers which deny justice to underserved and marginalized individuals and communities by providing efficient, effective legal services addressing both individual client legal issues and systemic issues affecting our diverse client population.

Tacomaprobono Community Lawyers provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, or expression, national origin, age, genetics, disability, citizenship, immigration, or veteran status. Along with federal law requirements, Tacomaprobono Community Lawyers complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities. This policy applies to all terms of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.