Position Summary:

The Veterans Consortium (TVC) is a leading independent, nonprofit organization that has provided pro bono legal representation in federal venues and professional services to veterans and their loved ones or survivors since 1992.

TVC’s Legal Assistance Programs were created to assist veterans in the D.C. area with legal issues apart from TVC’s other lines of service. The Legal Assistance Programs consist of the Legal Advice and Referral Clinic, Women Veteran Legal Assistance Program (WVLAP), and Veteran Naturalization Program (VNAP).

The paralegal will provide support services to the Legal Assistance Programs. This includes program operations support for case management, outreach, client intake, and other services as required. Consistent with the unique nature of TVC, the paralegal will provide support to volunteer attorneys and associated personnel, including screening records, transmitting case files, ensuring reference materials disseminated, and tracking and monitoring actions. Our ideal candidate has a passion to serve veterans, can operate with considerable autonomy, and wants to help our organization grow and thrive.

Essential Job Functions:

• Responds to incoming inquiries for legal assistance via phone and electronic communication.
• Creates and maintains client files.
• Works with attorneys to organize clinics and provide administrative support as needed.
• Coordinates aspects of volunteer management and administration, including tracking and updating volunteer information, assisting with training administration, and preparing/sending volunteer recognition documents (thank-you letters, certificates of training completion, or appreciation/commendation, etc.).
• Assists with requesting and reviewing military records, court records, and medical records.
• Assists with case planning, development, management, and legal research.
• Attends authorized training and seminars and represents the Consortium at authorized professional association/society meetings and outreach events.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Job Specifications:

Education and Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree
• Prior legal experience preferred.
• Knowledge of the military and veteran community is an advantage.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Critical attention to detail.
• Ability to think critically and offer proactive recommendations, information and solutions.
• Understanding of legal language and principles, research methods, and other related matters.
• Understanding of the civil legal needs of low-income veterans, including the unique needs of populations that experience barriers to access to justice systems.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work well with teams and independently.
• Computer literacy, including proficiency using production software programs, preferably Microsoft Word, Excel and Prevail, proficient in use of Citrix ShareFile or similar secure file transfer tool.
• Ability to multitask, pay strong attention to detail, and highly organized.
• Innovation and flexibility.
• Sense of humor.

Salary

• $60,000. This position is non-exempt.

Benefits

TVC has developed a comprehensive benefits package that invests in our staff to promote a solid work-life balance.

• Medical, dental and vision insurance with generous employer contribution.
• Life, Short-term and long-term disability insurance, TVC-paid.
• Maternity/paternity leave.
• Generous paid vacation (PTO) with all federal holidays off.
• Annual cost of living salary adjustment and separate annual merit increase consideration.
• “Summer Fridays” with half day Fridays and four-day holiday weekends from Memorial Day to Labor Day.
• Retirement 403b Savings Plan including TVC match up to 3%.
• Pre-tax commuter benefits.
• Free access to an excellent on-site fitness center, rooftop penthouse, and deck.
• Great location and office environment- blocks away from all metro lines (Farragut West, Foggy Bottom, Dupont Circle (Red, Blue, Orange, Yellow, Silver Lines), numerous restaurants, day care facilities and parking garages.

Job requirements

The employee will be required to be physically present in the office at least 3 days during the work week (Monday through Friday), with the option to telework on the remaining days at the supervisor’s discretion, utilizing a TVC provided laptop/IT equipment.

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to remain in a stationary position for extended periods of time and frequently communicate. The employee must be able to exchange information with others. This position requires occasional movement inside the office to access filing cabinets, office machinery, etc. This position frequently operates a computer and other office machinery such as a copy machine, fax, shredder, and computer printer. This position requires the incumbent to be able to occasionally reach for, lift and move office equipment, documentation, and supplies. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision.

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable

accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The employee will normally work in a temperature-controlled office environment, with frequent exposure to electronic office equipment. The employee will be involved in some local travel, using private and/or public transportation.

Employment At-Will Disclaimer

The statements herein are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by the employee and are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified. Employment in this position is at-will and subject to termination by the employer or the employee at any time and for any reason, with or without notice. The statements in this job description do not establish a contract for employment and are subject to change at the discretion of the employer.

Interested candidates please send your cover letter, resume, and contact information under the title of Legal Assistance Programs Paralegal to: careers@vetsprobono.org

 

The Veterans Consortium is an Equal Opportunity Employer

It is the policy of The Veterans Consortium that no employee or applicant for employment or services will be discriminated against because of race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, disability, sexual orientation, political affiliation, family responsibilities or family status, veteran’s status, or any other basis prohibited by law, including the DC Human Rights Act and Language Access Act.