Project Coordinator | Federal Pro Se Legal Assistance Project – S.D.N.Y.

NYC Bar Association; New York (NY); Hybrid; USD 51,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player seeks an enthusiastic Project Coordinator to support the Federal Pro Se Legal Assistance Project. This role involves providing vital assistance to individuals navigating the legal system, ensuring access to justice for underserved communities. Candidates will engage with diverse populations, manage case records, and support grant applications while working in a hybrid environment. With a commitment to public interest legal work, this position offers a unique opportunity to make a meaningful impact in the lives of those in need. Join a dedicated team and help foster a more equitable legal landscape.

Benefits

Health Benefits

Flexible Work Hours

Professional Development Opportunities

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience required.
• 6 months of relevant work or internship experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the first contact for pro se litigants seeking assistance.
• Maintain case, program, and volunteer records, and analyze reports.

Skills

Organizational Skills

Data Entry

Project Management

Communication Skills

Proficiency in Spanish

Education

Bachelor’s Degree

Relevant Work Experience

Tools

Microsoft Office 365

LegalServer

Job description

Job Posting: Project Coordinator | Federal Pro Se Legal Assistance Project

Department: City Bar Justice Center

Reports to: Director, FedPro-SDNY

FLSA: Non-Exempt

Overview

The City Bar Justice Center (CBJC) seeks an enthusiastic and organized individual to join the three-person project coordinator team for the Federal Pro Se Legal Assistance Project (FedPro-SDNY), operating in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York. This project coordinator (similar to paralegal) position is ideal for a candidate committed to expanding access to justice.

About FedPro-SDNY

FedPro-SDNY provides free, limited-scope legal assistance to pro se individuals, including incarcerated persons, in civil cases mainly related to civil and prisoner rights, employment discrimination, contracts, consumer/finance, and other core individual rights issues. The team assists with litigant intake, case management, and liaises with law student interns, volunteer attorneys, and social workers.

About CBJC

Annually, CBJC offers high-quality, free civil legal services to over 27,000 New Yorkers lacking resources to hire private counsel. CBJC collaborates with the New York City Bar Association, law firms, legal departments, law schools, courts, and other stakeholders. Over 2,200 pro bono attorneys contribute annually to various civil legal projects.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the first contact for pro se litigants seeking assistance, including screening for eligibility via phone, email, or in person, and providing follow-up support.
• Maintain case, program, and volunteer records, and analyze reports.
• Provide administrative support such as answering phones, scheduling meetings, and organizing training programs and legal clinics.
• Liaise with attorney volunteers from various legal backgrounds.
• Assist in preparing grant applications, reports, and in creating program content for blogs, reports, and social media.
• Support new programming and other CBJC projects as needed.

Qualifications and Skills

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience.
• At least 6 months of relevant work or internship experience.
• Strong organizational, data entry, and project management skills; excellent communication skills; reliable and professional.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office 365; ability to learn LegalServer and other tech quickly.
• Curiosity about federal laws and civil litigation procedures.
• Respectful interaction with diverse populations, including vulnerable individuals.
• Enthusiasm for public interest legal work and serving underserved communities.
• Proficiency in Spanish or another non-English language is a plus but not required.

Additional Details

Start date: May or early June. Minimum commitment of two years. Hybrid position requiring 2-3 days in-person at FedPro-SDNY’s downtown Manhattan courthouse, with remaining time remote or at CBJC’s midtown Manhattan offices.

Salary: Starting at $51,250 annually for a 35-hour workweek, plus benefits under the union agreement.

Candidates must be authorized to work in the U.S. (no visa sponsorship available).

Application Process

Send a cover letter, resume, and three professional references. CBJC is an equal opportunity employer that values diversity and encourages candidates from underrepresented backgrounds to apply.