Defenders of Children - Bilingual Intake Specialist Job Posting

BILINGUAL INTAKE SPECIALIST POSITION

About Defenders of Children:

Founded in 2007, Defenders of Children is a Phoenix-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit law firm that provides free, expert, comprehensive, trauma-informed, healing-focused, and dignity-affirming legal services to vulnerable children and families throughout Arizona, with an emphasis on protecting and promoting the legal rights and physical, emotional, and economic safety and recovery of victims of child abuse and neglect and their protective parents and guardians.

In addition to representing clients in federal, state, local, and Tribal court, Defenders of Children partners with family advocacy centers, domestic violence shelters, residential treatment centers, immigrant and refugee organizations, other community-based nonprofits, and federal, state, local, and Tribal government agencies that share our concern for the welfare of children and our goal to promote healthy families. Through administrative agency advocacy, impact litigation, and trainings for non-lawyer staff at victim advocacy organizations across the state, we work to expand access to justice for children and families in all 15 Arizona counties, including, especially, those from underserved and underrepresented regions and populations.

About the Position:

Defenders of Children is seeking a bilingual (English/Spanish) Intake Specialist to join our growing team. The Intake Specialist will work closely with our Intake Attorney, under the supervision of our Managing Attorney, to serve as the initial point of contact for all individuals seeking our services. The Intake Specialist will answer the telephone, respond to email inquiries, distribute and process intake applications, open and maintain confidential client case files in our cloud-based practice management system (Clio), and, in general, help to ensure that Defenders of Children is able to assist those seeking our vital services as quickly and efficiency as possible.

The Intake Specialist position is especially well-suited for legal secretaries, recently certified paralegals, and others who are interested in providing public-facing operational support to a law firm devoted to serving the public interest while also obtaining invaluable legal experience.

As the vast majority of our prospective clients are low-income survivors of family violence, the Intake Specialist will be expected to interact with applicants and others with patience and compassion and must be comfortable working with individuals who may be facing such challenges as poverty, housing insecurity, unemployment, mental illness, and substance abuse. Defenders of Children provides ongoing training to ensure that all members of our team are best positioned to address our diverse applicants’ and clients’ needs.

Required Skills:

·        Bachelor’s or Associate’s degree

·        Experience working in a law office or legal services organization (Applicants who lack the requisite

work experience will be strongly considered if they have relevant college coursework or volunteer

experience and can demonstrate a commitment to serving those in need)

·        Fluency in Spanish is required for this position

·        Demonstrated interest in working with marginalized populations

·        Strong interpersonal and communication skills

·        Ability to work under pressure and problem-solve in urgent situations

Job Expectations:     

Defenders of Children offers a wide range of legal and supportive services to our clients depending on their circumstances. The Intake Specialist’s role will consist of a combination of the following:

·        Answering the telephone

·        Running legal conflict checks

·        Distributing and processing intake applications

·        Opening and maintaining client case files

·        Collecting and organizing information and documentation submitted by applicants and clients

·        Providing legal information, referrals, and other resources to applicants and clients

·        Assisting the Intake Attorney and Managing Attorney as needed

Defenders of Children does not have a billable hours requirement. In addition, due to the difficult nature of the work we perform, all staff are strongly encouraged to set and maintain boundaries to ensure a healthy work-life balance. However, the Intake Specialist will be expected to work a full forty hours every week.

Benefits:

·        Medical, dental, and vision insurance

·        Reimbursement for bar dues

·        Accrued paid time off

·        12 paid holidays

·        Paid time off between Christmas and New Year’s, as well as for voting, bereavement, and jury duty

·        8 weeks’ family medical and parental leave (unpaid, but with continued insurance coverage)

·        Eligibility for the federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness program

·        Collaborative and collegial work environment

Annual Starting Salary:

·        $50,000 , depending on experience

Application Process:

·        Please send your resume, letter of interest, and list of three references to staff@defendersofchildren.org. All applications will be held in strict confidence, and will be considered on a rolling basis until the position is filled. Expected start date is October 1, 2025.

Equal Opportunity Policy:

·        Defenders of Children is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.