Legal Services Navigator

Chinese American Planning Council; New York (NY); On-site; USD 32,000 - 45,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical benefits

Paid time off

403(b) plan

Commuter benefits

Job summary

Chinese-American Planning Council (CPC) seeks a Legal Services Navigator to support immigrant and low-income New Yorkers in accessing community-based legal services. Based at the Brooklyn Community Center, you will assist with client intake, document collection, and confidential record keeping while coordinating legal clinics and Know-Your-Rights workshops.

You will translate and translate materials in Mandarin, Cantonese, and/or Spanish, and collaborate with CPC’s Senior Attorney and ONA team

Qualifications

• High school degree preferred.
• Legal or community service experience a plus but not required.

Responsibilities

• Assist with client intake and data entry, collecting documents and notes.
• Maintain confidential client records and records database entries.
• Support Senior Attorney in preparing case files and legal documents.
• Coordinate and support monthly legal clinics and Know-Your-Rights programs.
• Assist with translation, interpretation, and proofreading for Mandarin, Cantonese, or Spanish materials.

Skills

Mandarin

Cantonese

Fujianese

Detail-oriented

Organized

Confidentiality

Communication

Adaptable

Teamwork

Open to feedback

Education

High school degree

Job description

Job Details

Job Location: Brooklyn Community Center - Brooklyn, NY 11232
Position Type: Full Time
Education Level: High School Degree or Equivalent
Salary Range: $28.00 - $28.00 Hourly
Job Shift: Day
Job Category: Admin - Clerical

ORGANIZATION DESCRIPTION

Founded in 1965, the Chinese-American Planning Council (CPC) is a social services organization advancing the social and economic well-being of immigrant and low-income New Yorkers through holistic services and community-led impact. CPC is the nation’s largest Asian American social services organization and serves as a trusted community anchor to over 80,000 community members who are served by CPC annually through 50+ high-quality programs and services across 35 sites in New York City. (For more information, please visit: https://www.cpc-nyc.org)

JOB SUMMARY

The Legal Services Navigator will support CPC’s legal and advocacy work to ensure immigrant, AAPI, and low-income New Yorkers have access to trusted, community-based legal services. This role sits within CPC’s Brooklyn Community Center and provides direct case support to CPC’s Senior Attorney for community legal services, with task‑level supervision on legal case matters provided by the Senior Attorney, as well as support to our ONA Opportunity Center; assist with client intake, follow up with clients to collect necessary documents, maintain confidential records, help make referrals, support legal clinics and Know-Your-Rights workshops, and help create and translate community legal resources. The Legal Services Navigator will also partner with other members of CPC’s immigrant and social services staff as needed to provide community members with holistic support. The Legal Services Navigator will be embedded in our Brooklyn Community Center, with regular workdays based out of our Lower East Side Community Center and occasional travel to other program sites. They will report to the Program Supervisor of the Brooklyn ONA Opportunity Center with task-level supervision by the Senior Attorney, Community Legal Services.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES

Client Intake & Case Support

• Schedule and coordinate client intake appointments. Assist with intake sessions, including collecting documents, taking notes, data entry, and ensuring accurate information is captured.
• Maintain confidential client records and database entries in accordance with legal, contractual, and organizational standards.
• Support the Senior Attorney in preparing case files and legal documents — including drafting demand letters, communicating with courts on case status and filings, and filing records — as well as proofreading and follow‑up communications, all under the Senior Attorney’s task‑level supervision.
• Under the task‑level supervision of the Senior Attorney, provide substantive legal case support consistent with the case types and scope the Senior Attorney assigns.

Legal Clinic Coordination

• Help organize, prepare for, and execute monthly legal clinics, including participant scheduling, on‑site logistics, and materials organization.
• Provide administrative and logistical support to ensure clinics run smoothly and effectively.
• Help coordinate and prep for legal “office hours” for staff support and questions.

Communication, Outreach & Coordination

• Communicate with partner organizations, referring agencies, and community groups as needed.
• Liaise with courts, city agencies, and other entities to obtain information, submit documentation, or coordinate next steps.
• Conduct data entry, case tracking, and administrative tasks to support legal services operations.

Community Education & Resource Development

• Help run Know-Your-Rights workshops, including assisting with facilitation, materials distribution, and participant support.
• Work with the staff attorney, organizing team, and program staff to create and manage systems for disseminating ‘KnowYourRights’ resources to community members and partners.
• Support translation, interpretation, and proofreading for community-facing legal materials in Mandarin, Cantonese, and/or Spanish. Assist in developing clear, accessible legal resources and informational guides.

General Support

• Participate in team meetings, trainings, and professional development opportunities.
• Support cross-team coordination and administrative tasks as needed.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education and Experience

• High school degree preferred.
• Legal or community service experience a plus but not required.

Skills and Competencies

• Bilingual Language Skills: Required – Native speaking skills in at least one of the following languages, with the ability to translate written materials and provide interpretation in community and client-facing settings: Mandarin, Cantonese, or Fujianese.
• Detail-Oriented & Organized – Strong attention to detail with the ability to manage scheduling, documents, deadlines, and multi‑step processes. Appreciation of color coding is a plus.
• Commitment to Social, Racial & Economic Justice – Understanding of issues affecting immigrant and low‑income communities, and a commitment to expanding access to community‑based legal support.
• Confidentiality & Professionalism – Ability to maintain secure, organized, and confidential records; exercise discretion when interacting with clients and sensitive information.
• Action-Oriented & Adaptable – Ability to take initiative, respond to emerging needs, and work collaboratively in a fast‑paced environment.
• Open to Feedback – Receptive to coaching and committed to developing professional and technical skills.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS OVERVIEW

• $28.00 per hour; 35 hours per week
• CPC offers a competitive and comprehensive benefits package, including but not limited to generous paid time off (holidays, sick and vacation time, personal days), Medical, Dental, Vision, Basic Life Insurance Coverage, Commuter Benefits, Flexible Spending Accounts and a 403(b) Retirement Plan

CPC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. CPC values a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace and strongly encourages women, BIPOC, immigrants, LGBTQ+, individuals with disabilities, and veterans to apply.