OLC is a legal services program committed to achieving justice for the low-income communities of Oregon by providing a full range of the highest quality civil legal services. OLC operates eleven offices around the state. It has a litigation support unit, legislative advocacy unit, and statewide farmworker program.
OLC strives to create a supportive work culture enriched by values of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) for all staff. Our commitment to advancing DEI work is deeply connected to our ability to achieve client-oriented advocacy and access to justice for our low-income communities. The diversity of our staff is a strength and an asset to our organization that helps reflect and effectively advocate for our low-income client communities of diverse backgrounds.
POSITION: Oregon Law Center (OLC) seeks a full-time bilingual Paralegal (in English/Spanish) to support the provision of civil legal services to low-income clients. The position does not require formal paralegal certification or training. The position is based in Portland and primarily serves clients in Multnomah, Clackamas, Hood River, Wasco, Deschutes, Jefferson, Sherman, and Crook counties.
OLC's Portland Regional Office comprises five attorneys and two paralegals and works in partnership with OLC's Salem Office. We set priorities according to client need; current priorities are housing, employment, administrative, health, education, consumer, tax, and civil rights. We seek to make a real difference in clients' lives and to help eliminate the barriers that cause poverty or reduce our clients' ability to escape poverty.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
- General office support: receptionist duties, including answer phones, receive mail, monitor, and order supplies, manage calendar
- Staff the front desk and greet visitors in a professional and positive manner
- Organize, manage, and maintain office systems and the physical office
- Conduct client intake interviews and maintain detailed and accurate case notes
- Assist attorneys with litigation and other forms of advocacy, including but not limited to: investigation, witness interviews, factual and legal research, document review and other aspects of trial preparation
- Conduct outreach and community presentations and produce educational materials
- Interpret for Spanish-speaking clients and translate documents
- Provide general information and referrals
- Help with other office projects as needed
- Occasional travel throughout the Willamette Valley and northwest Oregon
OLC is an equal opportunity employer committed to creating an inclusive work environment. We encourage applications from members of historically underrepresented groups, such as Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC) individuals, individuals with disabilities, LGBTQ+ individuals, and others. Even if you are unsure whether you meet every qualification described, we welcome your application.
REQUIREMENTS:
- Demonstrated proficiency in spoken and written Spanish.
- Experience working with underserved populations.
- Demonstrated commitment to justice for low-income communities.
- Experience working in collaboration as a member of a team.
- Ability to identify and prioritize workload and handle multiple tasks simultaneously.
- Excellent written and verbal advocacy skills.
- Proficient use of Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams), Adobe, Zoom, and cloud-based phone services.
SALARY/BENEFITS: The salary scale ranges from $44,000 to $68,000 and placement on the scale is determined by years of relevant experience. Additional compensation for bilingual ability. Competitive benefits package includes individual and family health, vision and dental insurance coverage, employer retirement contribution, generous paid holidays, vacation, and sick leave, and paid moving expenses, among others.
HOW TO APPLY: Deadline for resume submission is September 6, 2024. To apply, submit your resume, cover letter, and list of three references to Heather Kemper, Deputy Director, hekemper@oregonlawcenter.org
As part of your cover letter, please address the following:
OLC is committed to achieving justice for the low-income communities of Oregon. Our client communities include people of color, farmworkers, LGBTQ+ people, immigrants, seniors, people with lived experiences of homelessness, veterans, people with disabilities, and people from other underrepresented groups. It is essential to our work to serve clients that we also work to create an inclusive and respectful workplace in which differences are acknowledged and valued.
How do you think your personal background or experiences, professional or otherwise, have prepared you to:
(1) serve our diverse client communities effectively,
(2) work effectively with colleagues from backgrounds different than your own,
(3) acknowledge the systemic barriers that our clients and some colleagues face, and
(4) contribute to our efforts to achieve racial justice?
Feel free to provide examples and apply various aspects of your life and personal experiences, as you respond to this question.