Bilingual (Spanish) Program Coordinator/Legal Assistant

Pisgah Legal Services (PLS) is a community-based non-profit legal aid agency governed by a local Board of Directors. Located in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Western North Carolina (WNC), Pisgah Legal Services provides free civil legal assistance to low-income people in WNC. The organization currently has offices in Asheville, Brevard, Burnsville, Hendersonville, Highlands-Cashiers, Marshall, Newland, and Rutherfordton. With over 120 dedicated staff, including over 30 attorneys plus program staff, and an active group of 200 volunteer attorneys, the program provides free services to over 20,000 people per year to meet their basic needs, primarily in the poverty law areas of housing, public benefits, domestic violence prevention, health care, immigration, and consumer law. 

PLS seeks a full-time Bilingual (Spanish) Program Coordinator/Legal Assistant that will primarily work with our Pro Bono Program and Community Engagement efforts. The Pro Bono Program coordinates the referral of approximately 800 - 1,000 legal cases per year to volunteer attorneys. Our Community Engagement efforts involve being present in communities and building a network of connections and partnerships throughout Pisgah Legal’s service area to address issues of poverty and access to justice. 

The ideal candidate will have a passion for promoting justice and overcoming barriers facing low-income people, being a creative and zealous staff member and a team-player and show a demonstrated commitment to achieving lasting results for clients and to community building.  

 Responsibilities 

• Commitment to PLS’ mission, values, and vision.

• Provide program and administrative support to the pro bono and community engagement teams. 
• Refer cases to volunteer attorneys and conduct follow-up for case status. 
• Facilitate communication between PLS clients and their pro bono attorney. 
• Provide general administrative assistance to staff and volunteers to support pro bono projects.
• Interpret for Spanish-speaking clients and translate materials for Spanish-speakers.
• Assist with legal clinics and community events, including evenings or weekends occasionally.
• Assist with communications with community partners and pro bono attorneys, including emails, e-newsletters, community education materials, etc. 
• Scheduling and meeting preparation. 
• Adhere to program priorities and case handling policies, procedures, and standards of practice, as well as the highest professional and ethical standards. 
• Travel within the PLS service area in Western North Carolina and to meetings or conferences in other parts of NC. 
• Work with volunteers and PLS Development Team.
• Meet with partner agencies and local community/agency advocates.

Qualifications

• Passion for and commitment to PLS’ mission, values, and vision.
• Possess a valid driver’s license.

• Associate degree/bachelor’s degree preferred or equivalent professional experience.
• Demonstrated commitment to values of diversity, equity, inclusion, access, and belonging.
• Demonstrated skills at socio-economic and cultural sensitivity and the ability to work with someone who is angry, upset, or ill.
• Strong organizational skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with attention to detail.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work well with teams and independently.
• Basic computer skills with proficiency in Microsoft Word and Excel. Skills with email marketing (Mailchimp), basic graphic design (Canva and/or adobe products), and other communications skills are a plus.
• Strong Spanish and English language skills (language proficiency test required).

Salary/ Benefits

Salary ranges from $40,533 - $58,666 depending on experience. Additional bilingual language skills that are applicable to this role may qualify for up to an additional $3k upon completing a language assessment test.  

Our salary scale is predetermined based on the years of relative professional work experience that qualify for this position to ensure equity in pay.  Pisgah Legal Services is a Living Wage Certified Employer.

Employees are eligible for medical, dental, vision and life insurance coverage the 1^st of the month following the start date.  Pisgah Legal Services (PLS) pays 100% of the Employee and 50% of the Dependent Cost for BCBS Medical and Dental coverage.  PLS pays 50% of the Employee Coverage Cost for BCBS Vision coverage.   PLS pays 100% of Long-Term & Short-Term Disability Coverage, Life Insurance Coverage of 5x base salary + an additional $15,000 Life & AD&D Coverage.  401k Retirement Plan after 6 months of employment.  Additional Fringe Benefits includes Pet Insurance, Paid Parental Leave, Paid Bereavement Leave, 13.5 Company Holidays, 22 Paid Leave Days, Paid Sabbatical Leave for eligible staff, Employee Assistance Program for entire household and a great working environment with work life balance!  Click here to view our 2024 Benefits Guide.

To Apply

Submit your online application with resume and cover letter through our Career Center located at https://www.pisgahlegal.org/jobs.

PLS invites all applicants to include in their cover letter a statement about how your unique background and/or experiences might contribute to the diversity, cultural vitality, and perspective of our staff and legal services practice. 

Pisgah Legal Services is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.

As an Equal Opportunity Employer, we will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified persons with disabilities. Prospective and current employees are encouraged to discuss ADA accommodations with our Human Resources department.