Paralegal - Des Moines

Position: Iowa Legal Aid seeks applicants for a paralegal position in its Central Iowa Regional Office located in Des Moines.

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 people.  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 to assist clients in being referred to Iowa Legal Aid and partner agencies for appropriate legal services.
• Coordinating and/or conducting outreach and community legal education.
• Providing support and assistance to staff and volunteer attorneys, including assisting with legal research, preparation of legal documents, and also clerical and reception work.
• 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.
• 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 that 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 will be accepted on an ongoing basis until the position is filled.

Salary/Benefits: Current entry level salary is $35,117. Non-entry level salaries are dependent on relevant experience.  Excellent fringe benefits.

To apply: To apply, email a letter of application, resume, academic transcripts, and names, addresses and phone numbers of at least three professional references to Arlys Kness – akness@iowalaw.org.

EOE