Project Assistant

Description

ABOUT US

Sanctuary for Families is New York’s leading service provider and advocate for survivors of domestic violence, sex trafficking and related forms of gender violence. Every year, Sanctuary empowers thousands of adults and children to move from fear and abuse to safety and stability, transforming lives through a comprehensive range of services. We provide a range of wrap-around services to help survivors rebuild their lives in the aftermath of abuse, and work to end gender violence through three key strategies: direct services, outreach and training, and systems-change advocacy. Our services are available in 12 locations throughout New York City.

POSITION OVERVIEW

The Project Assistant’s primary duties are to support attorneys on the Matrimonial Economic Project who provide direct representation to clients facing eviction in housing court and to assist clients in applying for and maintaining access to public benefits, including through advocacy with The Human Resources Administration (HRA) and representation at fair hearings. The Project Assistant also provides support to matrimonial attorneys, primarily in connection with assisting Spanish- speaking clients. 

RESPONSIBILITIES

•  Under the supervision of housing attorneys, conducts intakes and provides legal guidance and pro se assistance to clients facing eviction or experiencing other housing issues;
•  Assists housing attorneys in direct representation of clients in housing court, including by preparing, serving and filing court documents, and accompanying clients to housing court;
•  Advocates on behalf of housing clients with landlords, HRA, New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA), and other government agencies, including with respect to rent, repairs, and housing-related public benefits and subsidies;
•  Under the supervision of the Senior Manager for Public Benefits Legal Advocacy, assists clients in applying for public benefits, including Cash Assistance, SNAP, and Medicaid, and advocates with HRA and other government agencies on behalf of clients experiencing issues with their public benefits, including through center based advocacy and representation at fair hearings;
•  Assists the Senior Manager for Public Benefits Legal Advocacy in preparing and updating training materials for law schools and pro bono firms for Public Benefits Initiatives. Helps in coordinating the trainings and engages in any administrative work. Provides Spanish interpretation and general support;
•  Conducts outreach and education to Community Based Organizations on public benefits topics;
•  Participates in Sanctuary’s Public Benefits Advocacy Sub-Committee;
•  Participates and advocates for systemic change at the HRA Commissioner’s Quarterly Calls and other city and state wide welfare taskforces;
•  Assists matrimonial attorneys, primarily by conducting intakes for, and participating in meetings with, Spanish- speaking clients, and filing court documents;
•  Prepares and submits applications for intra-agency and outside grants, and facilitates access to financial assistance and other donations, for housing, public benefits, and matrimonial clients;
•  Refers to housing, public benefits, and matrimonial clients for appropriate legal, social, and other services within and outside of Sanctuary for Families, including through collaboration with staff throughout the agency;
•  Frequent collaboration with other staff within the Matrimonial/Economic Justice Project, including attorneys and other project assistants;
•  Collaboration with other staff to prepare trainings in the areas of housing and public benefits;
•  Accepts referrals of potential clients from the New York State Crime Victims Legal Network (CVLN);
•  Within the first year of hiring, completes 15 hours of training on Office of Victim Services (OVS) compensation and holistic Victim Law, including the neuroscience of trauma and implications for legal representation of crime victims;
•  Screens clients for eligibility for OVS compensation, and completes and submits applications for same;
•  Attends CVLN meetings and collects, maintains, and reports data and statistics, as needed, to CVLN administrators.

Requirements

•  Bachelor’s degree or relevant work experience, and demonstrated commitment to issues of gender equality, preferred;
•  Proactive, efficient, accurate, and highly organized self-starter who thrives in a fast-paced environment; able to juggle multiple priorities;
•  Excellent communication skills, both oral and written; confident public speaker;
•  Basic knowledge of the legal system;
•  Computer literacy (including MS Word, MS Excel, MS P