Job description

JOB DESCRIPTION
Position Title: Legal Assistant/Paralegal
Division: Family Permanency Services
Programs: Enhanced & Specialized Family Foster Care; Residential Foster Care
Reports to: Senior Agency Attorney
EFFC, SFFC & Residential Foster Care Programs Description
Catholic Guardian Services? Enhanced Family Foster Care (EFFC), Specialized Family Foster Care Program (SFFC) and Residential Foster Care Programs provide family permanency services to children and families served within these programs. Our program teams are interdisciplinary and are composed of Case Planners, Social Work Supervisors, Directors of Socio Services, Parent Advocates, Case Aides and Socio-Therapists.
Our work includes the implementation of evidence-based models to address trauma, mental health and other challenges faced by children and families. We successfully provide wrap-around services and support during and after foster care placement by having direct access to Catholic Guardian Services? portfolio of social services and behavioral health programs. These programs include children?s health home care management services, evidence-based preventive services programs, outpatient mental health services, education department, career development and job readiness services for adolescent. Our foster care teams closely collaborate with these programs to ensure ongoing support to our children and families.
Basic Function
The Paralegal functions as the programs? in-house liaison with agency attorneys, FCLS attorneys, the Family Court, and other legal entities. The Paralegal provides consultation to casework staff, prepare appropriate legal documents, and arrange for service and publications.
Duties & Responsibilities
? Serve as liaison with the agency attorneys.
? Maintain court calendar on termination, surrender and freed PH proceedings.
? Utilize CONNECTIONS and the Legal Tracking System (LTS) to obtain information and needed documentation for agency attorneys.
? Review the ?CW1? form submitted by Case Planners for completion and accuracy.
? Draft petitions for termination of parental rights (TPR) cases and file petitions in Family Court
? Distribute and respond to Orders to Show Cause, subpoenas, motions, etc.
? Arrange for service and publication on cases as needed.
? Conduct diligent searches and prepare affidavits of diligent search for court.
? Track all cases to ensure appropriate follow-up and timeliness of reports.
? Provide ongoing training and support to staff and foster parents in navigating the legal aspects of child welfare.
? Assist Social Service staff to identify cases for goal changes.
? Maintain database to track the legal status of all youth in care (MyEvolv).
? Develop and maintain monthly management plans and reports.
? Prepare a comprehensive annual report on the performance of the agency?s Legal Services, achievement of its goals and responsibilities, mandated requirements, and relationship to partners.
Job Description: Legal Assistant/Paralegal (Family Permanency Services?All Foster Care Programs)
Rev. 3/2023
? Participate in legal and child welfare forums to keep apprised of changes in the law, the Family Court System, and the impact on the child welfare agencies.
? Comply with requirements for professional development and maintenance of certification.
? Attend agency legal conferences, quarterly management meetings, and other program meetings as required.
? Supervise the department?s administrative assistant(s).
? Other duties as assigned.
Qualifications
? BA degree and NYS certification as a Paralegal OR
? High school graduate with 10+ years of legal and child welfare experience.
? Excellent oral and written communication skills.
? Computer literate.
? Knowledge of the operation of the Family Court system in New York City.
? Understanding of the needs of youth and families in the child welfare system.
? Strong team player.
? Excellent organizational skills and initiative.
? Ability to travel to New York City communities.
? Ability to work a flexible schedule.
? Ability to work effectively with the agency?s management team.
? Proven management abilities, including working in a high-volume work environment, meeting deadlines, ensuring compliance with agency policy and procedures, and overseeing complete and timely maintenance of agency records, in accordance with contractual requirements

johnandkristie.com is the go-to platform for job seekers looking for the best job postings from around the web. With a focus on quality, the platform guarantees that all job postings are from reliable sources and are up-to-date. It also offers a variety of tools to help users find the perfect job for them, such as searching by location and filtering by industry. Furthermore, johnandkristie.com provides helpful resources like resume tips and career advice to give job seekers an edge in their search. With its commitment to quality and user-friendliness, johnandkristie.com is the ideal place to find your next job.