Job Title: Housing Paralegal

Location: Colorado Springs, Colorado

Classification: Non-exempt

Reports To: Paralegal and Intake Supervisor

Salary Range: $45,034-$60,997 (Commensurate with experience) plus $4,200 yearly stipend. 

Organization Overview:

Colorado Legal Services (CLS) is Colorado’s statewide nonprofit legal aid program, with thirteen offices providing civil legal assistance to low-income Coloradans throughout the state. CLS provides free legal assistance in a broad variety of legal areas, including family law, public benefits, eviction defense, consumer protection, services to survivors of serious crime and human trafficking, and many others.

CLS has strengthened lives, assisted families, and supported communities–one person at a time for over 90 years. We are committed to providing high-quality, free legal advice and representation to eligible individuals throughout Colorado. We have a long history of successful impact and advocacy. CLS strives to bring about substantive, transformational change in the lives of those we serve.

Position Summary:

The Colorado Springs office is the second largest CLS office in the state, serving clients in eight counties including El Paso, Freemont, and Teller. The Colorado Springs office sees a high volume of applications for assistance every week. The unit works quickly and diligently to serve as many eligible tenants as possible. The Housing Paralegal plays a crucial role in ensuring the office is able to continuously review and triage cases, provide resources, and deliver timely legal services to as many low-income tenants as possible.

The Housing Paralegal provides support to the attorneys in all matters related to housing law and eviction defense. The Housing Paralegal is primarily responsible for applicant intake, conducting initial investigation, and interviewing potential clients to assist attorneys in identifying legal issues while assuring adherence to case acceptance protocols and program regulations. The Housing Paralegal will maintain communication with applicants and clients, acting as the first point of contact for clients. Additionally, the Housing Paralegal will staff the El Paso County Housing Clinic held every Tuesday and Thursday morning from 8:30 AM – 12:00 PM. Other responsibilities may include drafting legal documents, managing case files, scheduling appointments, and providing support to fellow paralegals and intake specialists as needed.

Essential Duties:

• Conduct applicant intakes, investigations, and interviews, gather relevant facts, documents, and identify legal issues while ensuring uniformity, efficiency, and effectiveness of services provided to housing clients.
• Manage fast-paced housing intakes assuring timely communication with applicants, clients, attorneys, and staff.
• Provide summaries of client cases, including relevant and pertinent facts, legal issues, and legal spotting of potential issues and provide recommendations of options to staff and applicants.
• Build and maintain relationships with partner agencies, assisting with outreach efforts for the unit.
• Ensure partner agencies are provided pertinent information on client referrals for a “warm hand-off.“
• Collaborate with attorneys to discuss case details, potential strategies, and client goals.
• Assist with the onboarding, training, and development of intake and support staff, ensuring they are trained in housing issues and case acceptance protocols as needed.
• Frequently collaborate with the Client Support Services to identify and address client’s non-legal needs.
• Act as a liaison between CLS and clients, providing support and assistance with a variety of casework.
• Provide assistance with special projects, which may include developing community resources, designing training sessions, or planning outreach events.
• Perform administrative tasks such as assisting with timely closing of cases, collecting and maintaining compliance documents, scheduling meetings and maintaining calendars to support the efficient functioning of the office.
• Develop and maintain familiarity with court and administrative procedures and protocols related to housing matters.
• Maintain ongoing communication with the Managing Attorney and Intake Supervisor, promptly addressing any issues identified in the intake process. Collaborate on the development of processes and contribute to the development of case acceptance protocols for Colorado Springs Housing cases.
• Staff the El Paso County Housing Clinic twice weekly, conducting client intakes, coordinating case triage, and supporting the attorneys.
• Draft written communications to clients, opposing counsel, and other organizations, ensuring timely contact within deadlines, under attorney supervision.
• May perform additional tasks or responsibilities as needed to meet the needs of the organization or as assigned by supervisor and manager including providing backup to intake staff, support staff, paralegals, and attorneys within the Colorado Springs office.

Required Qualifications:

• Associate’s degree or commensurate experience
• Ability to work independently managing multiple tasks, while meeting deadlines with acute attention to detail.
• Detail oriented with strong written and verbal communication, critical thinking, and analytical skills.
• Dedication to housing justice for low-income and vulnerable populations

Preferred Qualifications:

• Fluency in a language other than English.
• Bachelor’s degree, and/or paralegal certification from an ABA accredited program
• 1 year(s) of experience in legal support, paralegal work, intake specialist roles, or other relevant positions.
• Knowledge of Colorado court procedure, federal or state housing law, or housing subsidy programs.
• Demonstrated passion for social justice and a commitment to advancing equity.
• Experience working with community resources such as mutual aid groups, food banks, and government programs.
• 1 year(s) of customer service experience or public interaction with low-income or other vulnerable communities

Compensation and Benefits:

We offer a generous plan that includes 100% employer paid premiums for employee health, dental, vision, life, and long-term disability insurance as well as partial employer paid premiums for spouses/dependents, based on a sliding scale. We also offer Dependent Care and Medical Flexible spending accounts, a 403(b) retirement account, and an Employee Assistance Program (EAP). Additionally, CLS offers a $350.00 monthly stipend (to be used as you choose), generous paid time-off and 12.5 paid holidays per year. CLS values its employees’ commitment to working hard for the population it serves and recognizes the importance of work/life balance; therefore, we offer flexible work schedules and hybrid work arrangements as appropriate. We promote and foster a diverse, inclusive, equitable, and psychologically safe work environment, striving to be a “Best Place to Work” in Colorado.

How to Apply:

To apply for this position, click this link: https://coloradolegalservices.bamboohr.com/careers/31?source=aWQ9MzQ=

Our Commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging:

CLS embraces diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging as an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to building and retaining a workforce that respects and empowers each individual and represents a variety of diverse cultures, perspectives, skills, and experiences. We encourage all qualified candidates to apply for this position.