Community Worker - California Rural Legal Assistance : Job Details

Job DetailsJob LocationTulare Office - Tulare, CAPosition TypeFull TimeSalary Range$24.10 - $37.44 HourlyJob CategoryOutreachDescriptionWHO WE ARE: Founded in 1966, CRLA's mission is to fight for justice and individual rights alongside the most exploited communities of our society. Through a network of regional offices and cross-cutting programs, CRLA provides legal services to tens of thousands of low-income people annually. Our work impacts farmworkers, indigenous populations, individuals with disabilities, immigrant populations, LGBTQ+ communities, women, children, and low-income families in rural areas.

• Position: Community Worker
• Experience: 6+ months
• Application Deadline: Open until filled
• Location: CRLA El Centro Office
• Term of Employment: Regular, Full Time (37.5hrs/week)
• Other: FLSA Non-Exempt, Union Position

Reporting to the Directing Attorney, the Community Worker will perform initial screenings for eligibility, interviews to determine the nature of the legal problem/s and to identify the type of legal assistance being sought by the applicants.Applicant Intake:

• Perform initial screening for eligibility; interview applicants to determine their legal problem's nature and identify the type of legal assistance being sought.
• Interview applicants to learn the underlying causes of their legal problem and how the legal assistance being sought would assist clients in meeting their short, mid-range, and longer-term goals.
• Provide applicants with appropriate legal information and referrals.
• Prepare and deliver to attorneys and other staff verbal and written reports of applicant interviews, including facts pertinent to the issues raised by applicants.
• Assess applicants' capacities to represent themselves in the legal matter and the obstacles applicants face in meeting their stated goals.

Conducting Investigations:

• Gather information through field inquiry and other research related to actual or potential cases and litigation.
• Prepare simple documents from standard forms.
• Assist pro-per clients in identifying helpful information for the presentation of their cases.
• Provide appropriate advocacy and make referrals where applicable.

Lay Advocacy:

• Represent client's interests in administrative hearings and other forums appropriate to a non-lawyer and engage in lay advocacy to the extent permissible under the law and the code of professional ethics.
• Perform ministerial duties in connection with lawsuits such as filing and the service of process and interpreting for non-English speaking clients in interview situations and before formal and informal tribunals.

Community Outreach and Education:

• Provide legal information and skills training to individuals and groups to help our clients understand and assert their legal rights and responsibilities.

Collaboration with other agencies:

• Maintain CRLA liaison with community organizations and groups to ensure that CRLA resources address client community needs.
• Community Workers may be required to work outside the office, for instance, to work on regional sweeps.
• Perform other tasks assigned.