Rural Outreach Coordinator /Paralegal

Iowa Legal Aid; Council Bluffs (IA); Hybrid; USD 40,000 - 49,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous leave

Insurance & retirement

Job summary

Iowa Legal Aid is recruiting a Rural Outreach Project Coordinator/paralegal based in our Council Bluffs office to support outreach plans promoting legal clinics in southwest Iowa and expand access to justice in rural counties.

As part of the Revitalize Southwest Iowa Initiative, the coordinator will provide intake, litigation, and administrative support, travel regularly to counties served, and work under licensed attorneys to deliver essential legal services.

Qualifications

• Associate or Bachelor's degree required; paralegal studies preferred.
• Experience with case management or paralegal work.
• Knowledge of community resources; experience with rural communities.

Responsibilities

• Identify appropriate locations and events for rural outreach.
• Schedule, logistics for outreach events and tabling/presentations.
• Complete intake and eligibility screenings with potential clients (in person, by phone, or online).
• Develop new rural partnerships and maintain relationships with community organizations and agencies.
• Create a system to track community referrals and connect clients to resources.
• Provide administrative support for legal kiosk pilot project and staff attorneys.
• Perform tasks under the direction of a licensed attorney; other duties as assigned.

Skills

Communication skills

Rapport building

Community resources knowledge

Education

Associate or Bachelor's degree

Job description

Iowa Legal Aid is recruiting a Rural Outreach Project Coordinator/paralegal, based in our Council Bluffs office.

Position Summary: Full-time paralegal responsible for supporting the creation and execution of an outreach plan to promote legal clinics in southwest Iowa with the goal of expanding access to justice in rural counties, including “legal deserts.”

As part of the Revitalize Southwest Iowa Initiative and with special funding from the Charles Lakin Foundation, the Rural Outreach Project will focus on providing legal services in small towns in Cass, Fremont, Montgomery, Page, and Pottawattamie counties.

The Rural Outreach Coordinator/paralegal will also provide intake, litigation, and administrative support for the Rural Outreach Project staff attorneys and for other attorneys in our Council Bluffs office.

Regular travel by car to counties served by the project is expected.

Responsibilities: The Rural Outreach Coordinator/paralegal will perform a variety of duties including, but not limited to, the duties listed below:

• Identify appropriate locations and events for rural outreach.
• Schedule, handle logistics for, and participate in outreach events, including tabling events and presentations.
• Complete intake and eligibility screenings with potential clients at legal clinics, by telephone, or online using our case management database.
• Develop new rural partnerships while maintaining existing relationships with community organizations and agency partners.
• Create a database or other system to track community referrals.
• Identify community resources for rural clients and connect clients to resources.
• Provide administrative support for legal kiosk pilot project.
• Perform tasks related to the provision of legal services to clients under the direction and supervision of a licensed attorney.
• Perform other tasks as assigned.

Qualifications: Candidates must have an associate or bachelor’s degree. Preference will be given to applicants with a degree in paralegal studies or a human services-related field, and/or equivalent experience working as a case manager or paralegal.

Applicants should also have:

• Extensive knowledge of community resources.
• Experience working with rural communities.
• Excellent communication skills and ability to establish rapport.
• Experience or ability to work with a diverse population.
• Ability and experience working independently.
• The ability to operate a motor vehicle and possess a valid driver’s license.

Opening/Closing Date: Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis.

Salary/Benefits:Current entry level salary is $44,700. Non-entry level salaries depend on relevant experience. Excellent fringe benefits are available, including a generous leave, insurance, and retirement package. Iowa is a great place to live and to work for a non-profit, consistently ranking in the top 10 states for affordability. Seehttps://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/rankings/opportunity/affordability . Our Council Bluffs office is an easy commute from Omaha.

Iowa Legal Aid is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

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