Paralegal, Housing, Metro Region

Southern Minnesota Regional Legal Services, Inc. (SMRLS) is seeking to fill a fulltime, hybrid (in-office and remote) paralegal position in its downtown St. Paul office.  

SMRLS is looking for a qualified candidate to provide a full range of high-quality services, in a respectful manner which enables clients to enforce their legal rights.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

The paralegal will provide support to housing attorneys in cases involving evictions, voucher/subsidy/lease terminations, housing repair, and housing discrimination. Duties include drafting of court documents and correspondence; client interviewing; assisting with trial and hearing preparation; tenant file review and investigation; community education efforts and outreach. Assignments may change over time based upon client and firm needs. The paralegal must be willing to comply with SMRLS’ written practice standards, guiding principles, federal regulations, and other SMRLS’ Board policies in furtherance of SMRLS’ mission. 

QUALIFICATIONS:

·       Demonstrated ability to work effectively with low-income clients, victims of domestic violence, and people of different cultural and ethnic backgrounds is essential.

·       Excellent communication skills, the ability to work positively and constructively with others in a teamwork setting, good judgment, and the ability to work hard, independently, efficiently, and under pressure are necessary.

·       Willing and able to travel to outreach/education activities and other SMRLS-required activities throughout SMRLS’ service area.  

·       Computer competence and proficiency with Microsoft products and virtual meeting platforms.

·       Flexible and willing to take on additional duties as assigned by SMRLS.

·       Experience in a legal setting, non-academic experience working in diverse low-income communities, or other activities that demonstrate an interest in working with diverse low-income clients, are preferred and will be given great weight.

·       An AA degree/paralegal certification is preferred, but not required.

·       Fluency in a non-English language commonly spoken in SMRLS’ client community is a plus.

·       All SMRLS’ paralegals are part of a union, and the successful candidate will be required to join the union.

SALARY:

Starting salary of $50,656, or DOE, with excellent benefits. Applicants who speak a second language common in our client community may receive an additional $3,000 language skills salary bonus.

DEADLINE TO APPLY:

Position is Open until Filled.

Please submit a cover letter, resume, and references to:

         Heather Mendiola

                                                                     Lead Housing Attorney, Metro region

                                                                     Email: heather.mendiola@smrls.org                

ABOUT SMRLS:

SMRLS is a client-centered organization which is committed to its mission of providing a full range of high-quality legal services, in a respectful manner, which enable clients to enforce their legal rights, maintain freedom from hunger, homelessness, sickness and abuse; and empower people and ensure equal opportunity, thus, helping people to help themselves and become economically self-reliant, to the extent their individual abilities and circumstances permit. SMRLS values, welcomes and promotes diversity in all aspects of its work. SMRLS has adopted practice standards, guiding principles, and racial justice policies, to accomplish its mission.

SMRLS is committed to diversity in the workplace. Women, people of color, and people with disabilities are encouraged to apply.