What are the responsibilities and job description for the Paralegal, Disability Advocacy Project position at Legal Services NYC?
About Us:
QLS is part of Legal Services NYC (LSNYC), the largest provider of free civil legal services for low-income people in the country. We are dedicated to providing high-quality legal services in the areas of housing, family law, public benefits, employment, consumer, education, immigration, LGBTQ, and disability rights. We have special units serving particularly vulnerable populations including domestic violence victims, veterans, people with HIV, and people with disabilities. We are committed to working in partnership with community-based organizations in the low-income communities we serve in order to address the root causes of poverty and seek racial, social, and economic justice.
The Disability Advocacy Project (the “Project”) assists low-income residents of Queens who seek federal Social Security benefits based on mental and/or physical disabilities. The Project assists clients with case development, representation at administrative hearings, appeals in federal court, and issues that arise after an award of benefits. We also collaborate with other providers and community partners to develop and implement strategies to remove systemic barriers to disability benefits. The Project works with people with a wide range of disabilities, including home-bound clients, clients with mental illness, and clients with complex treatment schedules.
Responsibiltiies:
The paralegal advocate will be responsible for case assessment, advocacy, and community outreach in Queens. The paralegal advocate will appear in administrative proceedings before the Social Security Administration. The paralegal advocate will also investigate and develop disability claims, evaluate the merits of claims, prepare clients to testify at hearings, advocate at hearings including direct examination of clients and cross-examination of experts, and prepare written arguments.
Experience and Qualifications:
- A demonstrated passion for social justice and commitment to working with immigrant communities, communities of color, and low-income communities to advance equity;
- Excellent research and writing skills;
- Strong interpersonal, communication, time management, and organizational skills; and
- Fluency or strong proficiency in Spanish or another language spoken by our client communities is strongly preferred.
How to Apply
Interested applicants should send a cover letter, resume, two writing samples, and three professional references by email to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Please put “Disability Advocacy Paralegal” in the subject line.
NO TELEPHONE CALLS PLEASE
Salary is commensurate with experience. Benefits include excellent health and dental insurance, an employer contribution to a pre-tax 403(b) retirement plan, and generous leave time.
QLS is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to race, gender, and economic justice in our work and within our workplace. People of color, women, people with disabilities, LGBTQ people, and people over the age of 40 are welcome and encouraged to apply. Our non-management staff are members of the LSSA/NOLSW UAW Local 2320.
To safeguard the health and well-being of our employees and clients, LSNYC requires all employees to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19, unless a medical or religious exemption is approved.
