CONSUMER LAW PARALEGAL/TAX PROJECT CLINIC DIRECTOR

Summary:

603 Legal Aid (603LA) has an opening for a paralegal who is committed to providing high quality legal advice and brief services to clients eligible for 603LA’s services as part of a forthcoming Consumer Law Unit which also will house our Low-Income Tax Project (LITP). As a dual role, this position will work with people facing challenges related to consumer law issues (e.g. debt collection, bankruptcy, mortgage foreclosure) as well as serve as the LITP Clinic Director and be responsible for the day-to-day operation of the LITP under the supervision of the Consumer Law Supervising Attorney/Qualified Tax Expert. The paralegal will also assist with case management and collect and manage data for grant reporting and statewide planning and project evaluation purposes.

The LITP is one of dozens of low-income taxpayer clinics (LITCs) across the country, all administered by the Taxpayer Advocate Service through its LITC Program Office and largely funded by the federal LITC grant. As part of this program, the three-part mission of the tax project is to (1) represent low-income people in controversies with the IRS, (2) educate people with limited English proficiency (LEP) about their rights and responsibilities under the Internal Revenue Code, and (3) advocate for systemic improvements in our federal tax system. The Tax Project QTE will work toward ensuring this mission is fulfilled. For more information about the LITC Program, please see https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p5066.pdf. During 2024, the LITP at 603LA will be transitioning from a full representation to a referral-only model.

The Consumer Law Unit is an emerging practice area at 603LA that is critically needed by consumers across the state. 603LA has applied for grant funding to launch this initiative in Summer 2024 which is contingent on the receipt of sufficient funding.

Key Duties & Responsibilities via Supervision:

Consumer Law Paralegal

Advocacy

  • Working under supervision of the Consumer Unit Supervising Attorney,, identify and implement the most appropriate strategy for meeting client needs;

  • Provide advice and counsel and limited scope brief services to clients eligible for 603LA’s services;

  • Collaborate with others to assess client needs, identify relevant services and support efforts to help clients resolve their legal issues in an effort to provide the highest level of legal service to the client in a comprehensive and holistic manner;

Program Development and Evaluation

  • Assist with accurate case management and grant reporting requirements;

  • Collect and manage data for grant, statewide planning and project evaluation purposes;

Referrals and Community Relationships

  • Collaborate and coordinate with other 603LA staff and community partners to assure effective referrals and holistic service delivery;

  • Conduct community outreach, education, and training as needed;

  • Develop relationships and engage in collaborations with a range of public and private community partners, including governmental agencies, courts, and community-based organizations, to ensure integrative services and address systemic barriers facing our client community; and

Professional Responsibility

  • Engage in ongoing professional development and maintain substantive understanding of issues impacting 603LA clients.

Tax Project Clinic Director

  • Maintain and update the Tax Project’s databases and case management systems;

  • Teach the basics of the American tax system to low-income and LEP students;

  • Maintain and grow the tax project’s network of community partners;

  • Give presentations to community partners on tax topics affecting low-income people;

  • Attend outreach and networking events;

  • Maintain and grow the tax project’s volunteer panel;

  • Refer client cases to volunteers or to community partners, as appropriate;

  • Participate in LITC network meetings;

  • Attend the yearly LITC grantee conference;

  • Prepare required LITC grant applications and reports; and

  • Perform other tasks and duties as assigned or required.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

  • Excellent interpersonal skills;

  • Ability to communicate effectively, both in writing and orally, with:

  • Low-income clients in diverse and challenging environments

  • Tax professionals in private practice

  • Social service providers

  • Colleagues

  • Outstanding organizational skills;

  • Flexibility and adaptability in a fast-paced work environment;

  • Strong client-first work ethic;

  • Thorough knowledge of office operations as they apply to applicant screening and the provision of legal assistance;

  • Attention to detail;

  • Ability to manage simultaneous and tight deadlines;

  • Ability to work independently and as part of a team;

  • Strong interest in community engagement;

  • Ability to apply creative approaches to problem-solving;

  • Cultural literacy in a wide variety of low-income and marginalized populations;

  • High level of proficiency using Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint) and database programs, as well as an ability to quickly learn new systems;

  • Professional demeanor in interactions with clients, co-workers, supervisors, and colleagues in the broader legal community.

  • Collegial and collaborative approach to the delivery of legal services in New Hampshire.

  • Possess a strong interest in community engagement.

  • Fluency or proficiency in another language prevalent in 603LA’s client community (preferred); and

  • Reliable transportation due to occasional in-state travel.

Minimum Job Requirements:

  • A paralegal certificate and at least three years of experience directly related to the duties and responsibilities specified;

  • Degree in related field may substitute for paralegal certificate or for one year of experience;

  • 3-4 years of project management or law firm work experience (federal tax background preferred);

  • Availability to work flexible hours, including occasional evenings and weekends, to best fulfill the educational mission of the tax project; and

  • Commitment to and interest in expanding knowledge about access to justice and poverty.

Salary/Benefits:

This position is full-time (37.5 hours weekly) and considered non-exempt for the purpose of federal wage/hour law. Salary will depend on experience with an anticipated range of $25.00 - $27.00 per hour, and a benefits package that includes health insurance, life and disability insurance, a 403(b)-retirement program, and generous paid time off.

Application Process:

To apply, send a cover letter and resume to careers@603legalaid.org. All applications received by May 13, 2024, will be considered. We expect to conduct interviews shortly after this date. If reasonable accommodation in the application process is required, please notify us at careers@603legalaid.org.

603 Legal Aid is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to building a diverse staff that reflects the communities of low-income and older (age 60 plus) people that we work alongside, and we value equity and inclusion in our workplace. 603 Legal Aid actively seeks applications from Black people, Indigenous people, People of Color, people of diverse national origin, the LGBTQ community, people with disabilities, older adults, veterans, people who have lived experience with poverty, and other people belonging to communities that have historically experienced injustice.