Legal Assistant/Screener

Legal Assistant/Screener

Hybrid remote work schedule: 3 days in office/field and 2 days remote Base Office: Charlotte Street, Asheville NC

Position Status: Full-Time FLSA Status:  Non-Exempt

Job Posting

Pisgah Legal Services (PLS) is a community-based non-profit legal aid agency governed by a local Board of Directors. Located in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Western North Carolina (WNC), Pisgah Legal Services provides free civil legal assistance to low-income people in WNC. The organization currently has offices in Asheville, Brevard, Burnsville, Hendersonville, Highlands-Cashiers, Marshall, Newland, and Rutherfordton.  With over 120 dedicated staff, including over 30 attorneys plus program staff, and an active group of 200 volunteer attorneys, the program provides free services to over 20,000 people per year to meet their basic needs, primarily in the poverty law areas of housing, public benefits, domestic violence prevention, health care, immigration, and consumer law.  

PLS seeks a full-time Legal Assistant/Screener that will primarily work within our Domestic and Sexual Violence Prevention Program (DSVPP) and Community Economic Development Program (CED). The DSVPP team helps victims in all our service areas to escape domestic and sexual violence, child abuse, and hate crimes, and to live independent of their abusers. Initially this position will primarily help identify holistic services available to clients including initial protection orders as well as family law remedies and other supportive services. 

Passion for promoting justice and overcoming barriers facing low-income people, being a creative and zealous staff member and a team-player, and a demonstrated commitment to achieving lasting results for clients and low-income communities are all important.

Responsibilities

• Commitment to PLS’ mission, values, and vision.
• Screen clients for eligibility.
• Prepare and edit legal documents.
• Conduct client interviews with a trauma-informed approach.
• Provide general administrative and legal assistance support to attorneys to assist in case development.
• Scheduling and meeting preparation.
• Travel within the PLS service area and to meetings or conferences in other parts of NC.
• Adhere to program priorities and case handling policies, procedures, and standards of practice, as well as the highest professional and ethical standards.
• English/Spanish interpreting and translating as needed.
• Work with volunteers and PLS Development Team.
• Meet with partner agencies and local community/agency advocates.

Qualifications  

• Passion for and commitment to PLS’ mission, values, and vision. 
• Associate degree/ bachelor’s degree preferred or equivalent experience 
• Demonstrated skills at socio-economic and cultural sensitivity and the ability to work with someone who is angry, upset, or ill. 
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with attention to detail. 
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work well with teams and independently. 
• Basic computer skills with proficiency in Microsoft Word and Excel. 

Salary/ Benefits

Salary ranges from $40,533 - $58,666 depending on experience. Our salary scale is predetermined based on the years of relative professional work experience that qualify for this position to ensure equity in pay.  Pisgah Legal Services is a Living Wage Certified Employer.

Employees are eligible for medical, dental, vision and life insurance coverage on the 1st of the month following the start date.  Pisgah Legal Services (PLS) pays 100% of the Employee and 50% of the Dependent Cost for BCBS Medical and Dental coverage.  PLS pays 50% of the Employee Coverage Cost for BCBS Vision coverage.   PLS pays 100% of Long-Term & Short-Term Disability Coverage, Life Insurance Coverage of 5x base salary + an additional $15,000 Life & AD&D Coverage.  401k Retirement Plan after 6 months of employment.  Additional Fringe

Benefits includes Pet Insurance, Paid Parental Leave, Paid Bereavement Leave, 13.5 Company Holidays, 22 Paid Leave Days, Paid Sabbatical Leave for eligible staff, Employee Assistance Program for entire household and a great working environment with work life balance!  Click here to view our 2024 Benefits Guide.

To Apply

Submit your online application with resume and cover letter through our Career Center located at https://www.pisgahlegal.org/jobs. PLS invites all applicants to include in their cover letter a statement about how your unique background and/or experiences might contribute to the diversity, cultural vitality, and perspective of our staff and legal services practice. 

Pisgah Legal Services is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.

As an Equal Opportunity Employer, we will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified persons with disabilities. Prospective and current employees are encouraged to discuss ADA accommodations with our Human Resources department.