About Us
At Housing Families, we are working to achieve housing equity and wellbeing for all. We partner with communities, families, and individuals to ensure housing stability by offering tailored services including temporary and permanent housing, food assistance, counseling and therapy, legal services, and youth programs.
With Housing Families’ continued growth, we now offer services in Malden, Everett, Revere, Chelsea, and Medford, where, since our inception in 1986, we’ve strengthened housing security for over 2,400 families and individuals.
We are looking for those who share in this vision and for skilled, compassionate individuals who share in our agency values of Respect, Caring, Integrity, Growth, and Team Work:
- Respect – We treat people with dignity.
- Caring – We show compassion and act thoughtfully.
- Integrity – We adhere to high standards.
- Growth – We foster innovation and continuous development.
- Team Work – We collaborate and celebrate.
Role Purpose & Responsibilities
Purpose
The paralegal should have an understanding of low-income populations, knowledge of relevant human services programs, good verbal and written communication skills, ability to prepare statistical reports on various aspects of program-related activity, and ability to collect and distribute information to staff members.
Responsibilities
- Conduct intakes for all clients requesting pro bono legal services.
- Be available during regular office hours for clients seeking legal help.
- Determine which clients require legal representation, either from in-house attorneys or from the external panel of volunteer attorneys, which can be assisted by an advocate, and which should be referred to other resources.
- Make appropriate referrals for residents seeking legal assistance.
- Provide advocacy to clients when appropriate.
- Maintain records of clients and work done on each case for monthly reporting.
- Help develop and maintain contact with community resources relevant to client needs.
- Abide by Agency confidentiality policies.
- Participate in and making yourself available for other projects as determined by funding sources and the Coordinating Attorney.
- Attend Monthly All Staff Meeting and other meetings and trainings as determined by supervisor.
Qualifications / Requirements
Qualifications
- Bilingual Spanish speaking candidates strongly encouraged to apply.
- Experience working with and understanding low-income populations.
- Detail oriented
- Ability to be flexible and remain positive.
- Knowledge of relevant human services programs.
- Open to feedback with a desire and ability to learn and grow.
- Strong verbal and written communication.
- Ability to empathically de-escalate emotional reactions.
- Critical thinking, analytical, problem solving and negotiating skills.
- Ability to remain calm and responsive during crises.
- Ability to practice clear role boundaries and refer questions and concerns outside job scope to appropriate staff.
Eligibility Requirements
- One year of experience performing similar, related duties
- Bachelor’s degree OR equivalent experience
- Working knowledge of the impact of trauma and homelessness is preferred
- Must be willing to work in Chelsea, MA and surrounding areas
- Must have unrestricted work authorization to work in the United States
- Must be 18 years or older
- Must have reliable transportation
Eligibility Requirements
- Must be able to sit for prolonged periods of time at a desk while working on a computer.
Application/Compensation:
- Compensation/Hours: Full-Time/Hourly Role: $52,000
- Benefits: Eligible for full benefits including Health Insurance, Dental Insurance, 403B Retirement Plan, Paid Time Off, and a Tuition Reimbursement Progam
- Please send a cover letter and resume to: HR@housingfamilies.org
- Please include “Homelessness Prevention Paralegal” in the subject line.