Earned Benefits Paralegal, Housing Unit, CAMBA Legal Services

About CAMBA

CAMBA is a community of staff, volunteers, clients, donors, neighbors and partners who work together to build an inclusive New York City, where all children and adults have access to the resources and supports they need to thrive. The organization offers more than 160 integrated programs in Education & Youth Development, Family Support, Job Training & Employment Support Services, Health, Housing, and Legal Services, reaching more than 65,000 individuals and families each year at 90 locations, including 10,000 youth. CAMBA serves a diverse cross‑section of New Yorkers—from new mothers in Brownsville to job seekers in the Rockaways. More than half of the clients are immigrants and refugees; over 85 % of families live in poverty.

Position Overview

Benefits Paralegal – Housing Unit, reporting to a Supervisor, located at 20 Snyder, Brooklyn, NY 11226.

Responsibilities

• Assist clients in completing CAMBA intake applications, registrations and forms.
• Conduct intake and assessment of clients and their families’ situations and needs.
• Perform home visits for intake and follow‑up services.
• Assist clients in completing benefits applications, fair hearings and other administrative proceedings.
• Maintain professional relationships with clients and uphold client confidentiality.
• Practice universal precautions/standard protocol and comply with all federal, state, city and CAMBA security and privacy policies.
• Serve as a liaison with outside organizations regarding education, healthcare, housing, social services, legal issues, etc.
• Identify and refer clients to appropriate services both within and outside CAMBA to attain housing‑related goals.
• Complete applications for benefits and entitlements (e.g., HCR Section 8) and may process applications on clients’ behalf.
• Develop curriculum addressing clients’ housing needs, including permanent housing search processes and options.
• Provide individualized counseling, support, training and coordination on housing‑related topics.
• Establish linkages with community‑based organizations and local landlords.
• Escort clients to appointments such as housing interviews, apartment move‑ins, housing fairs, etc.
• Follow up with clients regarding HPD requirements for recertifications.
• Conduct initial intake, periodic re‑assessments, and create/maintain electronic and paper client files.
• Obtain and maintain relevant documentation and release forms from clients.
• Identify community resources and refer clients to appropriate services to help them achieve goals.
• Work with clients to overcome barriers and advocate for themselves to gain housing stability.
• Recommend and implement strategies to encourage client participation and transition into permanent housing.
• Monitor client progress through regularly scheduled face‑to‑face contacts/sessions and document encounters via progress notes.
• Provide required information for weekly, monthly, quarterly, and annual reports.
• Act as client liaison/advocate with external organizations on education, healthcare, housing, legal issues, etc.
• Perform administrative tasks: filing, copying, faxing, emailing to clients, funders and referring agencies; submit documents to funder databases and portals; complete client cases in CAMBA TSS database; schedule appointments; prepare marketing materials; communicate with funders; submit weekly reports.
• Maintain accurate and comprehensive client files and case note documentation.
• Develop and report program performance to funders; negotiate with servicers on behalf of clients with appropriate approval.
• Maintain client data in multiple databases and prepare outreach/marketing materials.
• Conduct community outreach to inform about benefit services and recruit clients; present workshops and training for community organizations, government agencies, and other stakeholders.
• Assist clients in completing SCRIE and DRIE applications.
• Pick up checks from agencies or charities and deliver them