Save Your Home Philly Paralegal - Homeownership Division

POSITION: Save Your Home Philly Paralegal - Homeownership Division
 
Philadelphia Legal Assistance (PLA) seeks to immediately hire a full-time paralegal to work with low-income Philadelphia residents in danger of losing their homes. 
 
How to Apply (Detailed in "Application Process")
Send cover letter, resume, references, and five page writing sample, preferably in one PDF document, to work@philalegal.org.
 
Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis, and the position will remain open until filled. We encourage applicants to submit applications early.
 
Background
PLA provides free civil legal assistance to low-income individuals and families in Philadelphia. For Philadelphia residents who are low-income, elderly, or disabled, our legal assistance is often crucial to protecting their homes, their children, their safety, and their livelihood.
 
PLA operates the “Save Your Home Philly” Hotline, a central point of contact for Philadelphia residents at risk of losing their homes. The lawyers and paralegals at PLA work in close collaboration with Community Legal Services, Philadelphia VIP, and a network of housing counselors to assist homeowners in navigating the legal system, understanding and safeguarding their rights, and avoiding homelessness. The Hotline is a critical piece of the network of services available in Philadelphia designed to prevent homelessness; to preserve neighborhood and family stability by enabling low-income homeowners to remain in their homes.
 
During the economic crisis resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, the Hotline has an important role to play in connecting homeowners with programs that prevent missed mortgage payments and foreclosures that could threaten their housing. Especially during this time, Hotline paralegals are playing a direct role in preserving affordable housing costs for low-income homeowners.
 
Responsibilities
A successful candidate will have a variety of responsibilities as part of a team of attorneys and paralegals, including:
 
·  Interviewing and advising clients faced with mortgage, title and real estate tax problems
·  Providing information and assistance to tenants in the Eviction Diversion program
·  Helping tenants with language or technology barriers apply for rental assistance programs
·  Evaluating a client’s situation and making appropriate referrals
·  Advocating for clients with mortgage companies and taxing authorities in writing as well as over the phone
·  Researching, understanding and utilizing statues, regulations and city ordinances
·  Coordinating and managing case referrals
·  Tracking policy developments and disseminating new information to other paralegals on the team
·  Providing litigation support to housing unit attorneys
·  Proposing and supporting loan modification agreements
 
Qualifications
Working with “Save Your Home Philly” is a hands-on, skill-building experience. Previous knowledge of consumer and homeownership legal issues is not a requirement for this position. Qualifications include:
 
·  Excellent communication and interviewing skills
·  Strong writing skills
·  Commitment to improving the well-being of low-income communities
·  Compassion, understanding, patience, and a talent for working cooperatively with a broad spectrum of people
·  Maturity, self-motivation, and ability to adapt quickly
·  Prior work or volunteer experience at a non-profit serving low-income clients is preferred
·  Spanish language fluency a plus
 
Work Location
The position is currently remote, PLA intends to reopen its office in early October, 2021. Applicants will need to have their own phone with a google voice account, a secure laptop or desktop computer, and a robust internet connection if working outside the office.  A Hybrid Work Location Arrangement may be requested upon hiring.
 
Application Process:
Philadelphia Legal Assistance (PLA) is an equal opportunity employer. PLA values a diverse work environment and strongly encourages women, people of color, people who identify as LGBTQ, people with disabilities, people who have experienced poverty or homelessness, and people who have had prior contact with the juvenile, criminal, or child welfare systems to apply. PLA 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.
 
Send cover letter, resume, references, and five page writing sample, preferably in one PDF document, to work@philalegal.org.