Position: Iowa Legal Aid seeks applicants for paralegal/case manager positions in our Council Bluffs and Waterloo offices. This position will support the anticipated future expansion of our Community Schools Project in those cities.

The Community Schools Project is a unique partnership among local school districts, Iowa Legal Aid, and other community stakeholders.  The project works inside and outside the school helping parents and caretakers of students cope with legal issues related to housing, domestic violence, and income security, all which impact school attendance, performance and disciplinary issues.  We partner with other social services organizations in the community to help connect families with a wide variety of services and resources. The cornerstone of the project is our onsite legal aid clinics. 

Responsibilities: A paralegal/case manager hired for this position will provide support and assistance to our staff attorneys as they provide free legal assistance and community legal education to low-income and other vulnerable Iowans.  The specific duties of this job may include, but are not limited to:

• Conducting initial client screening and/or intake including entry of data into ILA’s case management program, assessment of financial eligibility and conflict status, and formulating the nature of the client’s legal problem(s).
• Performing tasks related to the provision of legal services to clients under the direction and supervision of a licensed attorney.
• Working with other agencies on referrals.
• Assisting in the management of case management systems.
• Serving as a representative of ILA in the community or among client groups or agencies serving low-income individuals.
• Advocacy before administrative agencies.
• Coordinating and/or conducting outreach and community legal education.
• Administrative and clerical work, including front-desk duties, as needed.

• If our Community Schools Project is funded:
• Staffing on-site clinics
• Conducting comprehensive client assessments, including identifying family issues that may impact a child’s ability to learn
• Collaborating with CSP attorneys to develop comprehensive, holistic action plans with clients to address social service and legal needs
• Creating/utilizing a database or other system to track community referrals and educational reports
• Developing partnerships and fostering relationships with community-based service providers and school personnel
• Performing other tasks as assigned by supervisor. 

To apply: To apply, email a letter of application (indicate geographic preference), resume, academic transcripts, and names, addresses and phone numbers of at least three professional references 

Qualifications: Candidates must have an associate’s or bachelor’s degree; preference will be given to applicants with a paralegal degree, and/or equivalent experience working as a paralegal. The ideal applicant will also have some or all of the following qualities:

• Background working with members of vulnerable populations, including those who are low-income, elderly, victims of domestic/sexual violence, people of color, and/or have disabilities
• Experience providing trauma-informed services
• Bilingual communications skills in one of the languages used most by low-income Iowans, including Arabic, Bosnian, Spanish, or Vietnamese

About Iowa Legal Aid

Founded in 1977, Iowa Legal Aid serves eligible clients in all 99 Iowa counties through our ten regional offices. For over forty years, we have provided hope, dignity and justice to low-income people, seniors, veterans, farmworkers, and other vulnerable groups through direct legal services and community education. Our primary practice areas include public benefits, housing, health care, domestic violence & family, education, employment, individual rights, consumer protection, and collateral consequences. More information about Iowa Legal Aid can be found at www.iowalegalaid.org and www.iowalegalaidfoundation.org.

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