Intake Specialist, Consumer Law Unit

Legal Aid DC seeks an Intake Specialist to join our Consumer Law Unit. The intake specialist will serve as an initial point of contact for members of our client community seeking legal assistance for matters within the Consumer Unit, and they will conduct initial intake interviews with prospective Legal Aid clients.

Since 1932, Legal Aid has provided civil legal assistance to clients in individual cases and engaged in systemic reform. Currently, we provide individual representation in consumer law, domestic violence/family law, housing, public benefits, and appellate matters. We also work on immigration matters and help individuals with the collateral consequences of their involvement with the criminal justice system. From the experiences of our clients, we identify opportunities for law reform, public policy advocacy, and systemic impact and appellate litigation.

Legal Aid believes that meaningful pursuit of our anti-poverty mission requires an unwavering commitment to racial justice and equity. We aspire both to reflect the rich racial diversity of the communities we serve and to value, respect, and empower our staff and clients to be effective agents of change. For more information about Legal Aid please visit our website, www.LegalAidDC.org.

Legal Aid has a broad and energetic consumer practice. Our Consumer Law Unit helps clients protect their limited income and assets. We specialize in two principal areas of practice: foreclosure prevention and consumer debt collection defense. We also engage in significant efforts to address consumer issues of public policy. Our unit is currently staffed by two supervising attorneys, four staff attorneys, one volunteer attorney, and one legal assistant. 

Responsibilities:

The Consumer Unit Intake Specialist will be based out of Legal Aid’s main NW office but may also work in our community office in SE Washington, D.C. or other community-based sites. Legal Aid has a hybrid work schedule.  The Consumer Unit Intake Specialist will be required to work in the office a minimum of two to three days a week and may be required to work in the office more than three days a week depending on job responsibilities.

The majority of the Consumer Unit Intake Specialist’s time will be spent on serving as an initial point of contact for (and conducting intakes with) individuals who are seeking assistance from the Consumer Unit.  However, they will also perform intake functions that will support the entire organization.

Conducting Intake Interviews with Applicants for Legal Assistance

• Serving as an initial point of contact by telephone (primarily) and in-person, for persons seeking assistance from Legal Aid
• Collecting information from callers and walk-in applicants to screen their eligibility for Legal Aid’s services and providing referral information, when appropriate

• Conducting in-depth intake interviews by telephone and/or in-person
• Completing follow ups with applicants for legal assistance including gathering documents from applicants to assist attorneys with case investigation
• Assisting with management of the online intake application portal, including initial screening of online intake applications

Data Management and Analysis

• Entering intake interview information into Legal Aid’s client database, Legal Server, and running reports when necessary
• Assisting with gathering data to track and analyze intake trends

Administrative and Other Required Tasks

• Performing administrative tasks as needed, related to the Consumer Unit intake processes and notices.
• Other duties as assigned by Consumer Unit Supervisors.

General Intake-Related Tasks

• Working with the Intake Program, as well as other units’ Intake Specialists, to provide coverage for general intake responsibilities outside of the Intake Specialists’ unit.

• These tasks include (but are not limited to): monitoring general intake voicemail box; triaging and returning calls as appropriate; and collecting information from callers and walk-in applicants to screen their eligibility for Legal Aid’s services.

Qualifications:

• Strong commitment to racial, economic and social justice
• Experience engaging with individuals who are in crisis or dealing with trauma
• Effective oral and written communication skills
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail
• Ability to multi-task and prioritize assignments
• Strong computer skills including MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and other Microsoft applications (familiarity working with online databases helpful but not required)

• Familiarity with legal, social services or public benefits systems through lived and/or prior professional experience preferred

• Bilingual skills preferred (in Spanish, Amharic, or another language prevalent in Legal Aid’s client community), but not required
• Availability to make a two-year minimum commitment strongly preferred

Salary and Benefits:

The Intake Specialist will be paid in accordance with Legal Aid's policy based on years of relevant full-time experience. Lateral hires will receive credit for years of relevant work experience as follows. Starting salaries are as follows:

• Entry-level: starting at $48,303
• Candidate with 3 years full-time work experience: starting at $53,139
• Candidate with 5 years full-time work experience: starting at $56,348
• Candidate with 10 years full-time work experience: starting at $64,368

Legal Aid generally provides two salary increases per year, depending on funding availability: a cost-of-living increase at the beginning of the year and a step increase in July.

Legal Aid offers a generous benefits package includes fully paid health insurance (for the employee), annual discretionary retirement match, 12 paid holidays, up to three personal days and generous annual and sick leave allotments starting at 12 days of vacation and 15 days of sick leave per year.    

This position is included in the bargaining unit represented by National Organization of Legal Services Workers, UAW Local 2320.

To Apply:

Legal Aid values an inclusive, diverse workplace and encourages applications from interested persons of any race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, physical or mental disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, personal appearance, family responsibilities, matriculation, political affiliation, genetic information, or any other legally protected status. We strongly encourage applications from people with personal experience with the criminal justice system and/or with lived experiences in the communities we serve.

Please submit your cover letter and resume here. Applications will be accepted until April 5, 2024.