Paralegal - Intake, Referral, and Advice Unit

About the position New Mexico Legal Aid (NMLA) provides civil legal services to low-income New Mexicans for a variety of legal issues including housing, landlord-tenant, domestic violence, family law, consumer protection, disaster relief, and public benefits. NMLA has locations throughout the state including Albuquerque, Santa Fe, Las Cruces, Gallup, Roswell, Silver City, Las Vegas, Taos, and Santa Ana Pueblo. NMLA seeks a Paralegal for the Intake, Referral and Advice (IRA) unit. This paralegal will primarily deal with landlord-tenant issues for clients residing in Albuquerque. Services will typically be conducted by telephone but may involve occasional work with walk-in clients. Most applications for assistance will arrive through NMLA's Albuquerque Landlord-Tenant Helpline, which is a voicemail box dedicated to landlord-tenant issues occurring within the city of Albuquerque. Other access points include NMLA's online application portal and Intake Phone Line call center, as well as internal referrals from other departments within NMLA. Typical landlord-tenant issues experienced by NMLA clients include: Evictions – eviction notices and lawsuits Property lockouts Lease breaking disputes Repairs/conditions issues Subsidized housing problems, including Section 8 voucher termination and eviction from public housing Non-returned damage deposits Harassment and inappropriate behavior from landlords and neighbors There may also be calls involving other civil law matters, though these are typically redirected to other parts of NMLA. For this position, the paralegal, under the direction of the Paralegal Intake Manager, will: Conduct intakes Make referrals to NMLA practice groups Provide legal information to callers Assist staff attorneys assigned to the Intake Unit Typical duties in this category include collecting client documents, providing advice and counsel under attorney supervision, and preparing legal advice letters Other duties as assigned

Responsibilities

• Conduct intakes
• Make referrals to NMLA practice groups
• Provide legal information to callers
• Assist staff attorneys assigned to the Intake Unit
• Collecting client documents
• Providing advice and counsel under attorney supervision
• Preparing legal advice letters
• Other duties as assigned

Requirements

• Paralegal experience is greatly preferred but we will consider exceptionally well-qualified entry-level candidates
• Passion for justice and strong commitment to helping NMLA better serve our client communities
• Can autonomously organize and handle a large volume of case work
• Must be able to effectively use computer technology and remote communications systems, including shared on-line workspaces and web meeting and videoconferencing software
• Ability to effectively collaborate with staff in multiple offices
• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• The ability to manage multiple tasks and build collaborative relationships between the staff and the community served by NMLA.

Nice-to-haves

• Proficiency in Spanish and/or Native American languages
• Paralegal experience working in a non-profit public service agency.
• Previous experience with landlord-tenant, housing, and/or real estate law

Benefits

• 100% employer-paid BCBS medical, plus dental and vision for employees; generous contributions for dependents
• 3 weeks vacation time, 6 days personal time, plus sick pay and federal holidays off
• Hybrid work schedule (3 days in office, 2 days remote – your choice!). This position may be eligible to work up to 100% remote.
• 37.5-hour work week
• 403(b) Retirement Plan
• Competitive salary

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