Paralegal

Position: Iowa Legal Aid is seeking applicants for a paralegal position.  Iowa Legal Aid has regional offices in Cedar Rapids, Council Bluffs, Davenport, Des Moines, Dubuque, Iowa City, Mason City, Ottumwa, Sioux City and Waterloo

Responsibilities: A paralegal hired for this position will provide support and assistance to our staff attorneys as they provide free legal assistance and community legal education to low-income and other vulnerable Iowans.  The specific duties of this job may include, but are not limited to:

• Conducting initial client screening and/or intake including entry of data into ILA’s case management program, assessment of financial eligibility and conflict status, and formulating the nature of the client’s legal problem(s).
• Performing tasks related to the provision of legal services to clients under the direction and supervision of a licensed attorney.
• Working with other agencies on referrals.
• Providing support and assistance to staff and volunteer attorneys, including assisting with legal research and preparation of legal documents.
• Helping to prepare for and providing on-site support for our Eviction Help Desks.
• Assisting in the management of case management systems.
• Serving as a representative of ILA in the community or among client groups or agencies serving low-income individuals.
• Advocacy before administrative agencies.
• Coordinating and/or conducting outreach and community legal education.
• Administrative and clerical work, including front-desk duties, as needed.
• Performing other tasks as assigned by supervisor. 

Qualifications: Candidates must have an associate’s or bachelor’s degree; preference will be given to applicants with a paralegal degree, and/or equivalent experience working as a paralegal. The ideal applicant will also have some or all of the following qualities:

• Background working with members of vulnerable populations, including those who are low-income, elderly, victims of domestic/sexual violence, people of color, and/or have disabilities
• Experience providing trauma-informed services
• Bi-lingual verbal and written communications skills in one of the languages used most by low-income Iowans, including Arabic, Bosnian, Spanish, Vietnamese.

Opening/Closing Date:  Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis.

Salary/Benefits: Current entry level salary is $41,873. Non-entry level salaries are dependent on relevant experience.  Excellent fringe benefits.

To apply: To apply, email a letter of application (indicate geographic preference), resume, academic transcripts, and names, addresses and phone numbers of at least three professional references to Frank Tenuta – ftenuta@iowalaw.org .

Iowa Legal Aid is an Equal Opportunity Employer.