(FULL-TIME. JD NOT REQUIRED)

Since 1994, The Family Center has provided legal, social, and mental health services to New Yorkers facing the intertwined challenges of poverty and severe illness. Founded during the height of NYC’s HIV epidemic to provide multidisciplinary support to HIV-affected families, TFC now serves many populations including those coping with cancer and other life-threatening illnesses, life-limiting disabilities, trauma, and parental absence.

TFC is seeking a Legal Services Coordinator to join its Legal Wellness Institute, a team of dedicated attorneys and advocates providing holistic, community-based legal services to low-income New Yorkers affected by serious illness and disability. Our legal services promote health and stability for medically fragile New Yorkers, and encompass four practice areas: (1) Housing Law; (2) Family Law; (3) Public Benefits and Health Care Access; and (4) Lifetime Planning. LWI’s unique model is designed to meet the needs of our specific client population. In keeping with our commitment to holistic representation, all LWI staff work on cases in all of our practice areas. And for clients unable to travel to our office, we bring the law office to the client: meeting in clients’ homes, hospitals, hospices, and other sites throughout NYC.

All LWI team members receive extensive orientation, ongoing training, and many opportunities for professional growth and development. Legal Service Coordinators manage individual work and caseloads, but function as part of a collaborative, close-knit team and receive significant mentorship and guidance. Our work is complex and challenging, but TFC is committed to supporting staff in doing this work well and encourages work-life balance and self-care.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Advocate for clients on issues relating to public benefits and other matters, including representation in administrative hearings, with attorney supervision
• Assist LWI attorneys in providing legal services to clients in all five boroughs, including home and hospital visits, accompanying clients to administrative agencies, research and document preparation, and court filings
• Assist with new client intake, data entry, and reporting
• Create and lead community presentations and legal clinics on various topics at locations throughout NYC
• Assist with training of legal interns and volunteers
• Other duties, projects, and tasks as required
• Requirements
  Fluency in Spanish, required
  College graduate
  Strong interpersonal skills
  Demonstrated commitment to working with marginalized communities
  Excellent writing, speaking, and organizational skills
  Ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a team setting
  Willingness to travel throughout NYC to meet with and advocate for clients and give presentations
  Experience working with individuals affected by mental and/or physical illness preferred but not required
  Experience or studies in family law, public benefits, housing or elder law preferred but not required
  Must be available for in-person work in NYC

Benefits: The Family Center offers a competitive benefits package, including medical and dental insurance, 403(b) plan, and generous leave policies. After one year, staff is eligible for 403(b) employer contributions, tuition assistance, and long-term disability insurance.

Salary Range: $48,000-$55,000

Application Instructions: Please email a resume, cover letter and one writing sample to jobs@thefamilycenter.org with the subject line “Legal Services Coordinator”. Please state salary requirements in cover letter.

The Family Center is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to inclusive hiring and strives to ensure that our staff reflects the diversity of the communities we serve.
The Family Center is covered under FMLA.