Legal Case Worker

Houston Volunteer Lawyers (HVL) leverages the use of pro bono legal services to deliver client-centered free civil legal services to the greater Houston community. This includes criminal expunctions, family law, estate planning, landlord/tenant disputes, homeownership, consumer issues, bankruptcy matters, public benefits, ID restoration, and veteran-specific legal issues such as discharge upgrades and benefits appeals. HVL also provides a variety of support to self-represented litigants who are navigating the legal system without legal representation.

HVL seeks a full-time Legal Case Worker. Primary responsibilities include evaluating the need and eligibility of potential clients for HVL’s services, coordinating with clients and attorneys to schedule consultations, and providing support to the various legal programs. The individual in this position requires a high degree of professionalism, self-motivation, and a commitment to social justice. HVL has adopted a hybrid model where staff may work from home part of the week.

Key Areas of Responsibilities

• Interview clients to determine if they are eligible for HVL’s services
• Communicate with clients to schedule consultation appointments with attorneys and gather client documents
• Provide client-centered services with an understanding of the barriers that particularly impact marginalized communities
• Maintain accurate records in HVL’s database system, including processing applications
• Assist with logistics and coordinating legal advice clinics
• Attend HVL Legal Advice Clinics as necessary and conduct in-person intakes
• Provide support and collaborate with the rest of the legal team to help with translations (if applicable), document requests, and client communications
• Assist as needed with the occasional outreach and community events
• Maintain timely documentation of all case-related activities, assist as needed with grant reporting activities, and other tasks as assigned by HVL

Qualifications

• Effective verbal and written communication skills.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office
• A desire to promote access to justice and support often marginalized communities
• A flexible approach with a desire to work as part of a team
• Excellent time management skills
• College degree or equivalent work experience preferred
• Proficiency in Spanish, Mandarin, or Vietnamese preferred

To Apply: Submit a Cover Letter, Resume, and three Professional References through Indeed.com or you may email your Cover Letter, Resume, and References to recruitment@hvlp.org with the subject line “Case Worker”. Applications will be reviewed as they are submitted.The position will be available until it is filled.

Annual Salary and Benefits

This position is a flexible full-time position. Salary range is $31,000 - $36,000 for someone will less than 3 years of experience and qualifications.

Benefits include fully paid health, vision and dental insurance; disability and life insurance options; a 401k defined contribution retirement plan with employer match available; professional development training, monthly parking paid, and reimbursed work-related expenses including work-related mileage. Staff are eligible for 80 hours of PTO per year. After one year with HVL, staff will also receive additional vacation hours and are eligible for 6 weeks paid parental leave. HVL will remain on a hybrid schedule and seeks to benefit from the talent and expertise of those needing flexible work hours and accommodations. Staff may work up to 3 days from home with supervisor approval and depending on office need.

Houston Volunteer Lawyers is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. HVL does not discriminate against any person based on actual or perceived race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, age, ability, gender, marital status, veteran status, sexual orientation, or other characteristics protected by law. Applicants committed to justice and equality from all backgrounds, experiences, abilities, and identities, and in particular those from underrepresented communities are encouraged to apply.