BASTA Paralegal B

In furthering the cause of tenant and housing justice in the Austin area, Building and Strengthening Tenant Action (BASTA) seeks a Paralegal  to join our team. BASTA, housed in Texas RioGrande Legal Aid (TRLA), builds tenant power by bringing underrepresented Austin renters into a housing justice movement fueled by tenants association outreach, community education, and outreach. Our work is centered on dismantling the systems that prevent tenants from living in dignified and healthy homes.

BASTA achieves its mission through its teams: the BASTA Outreach Team (BOT), which forms tenants associations at multifamily properties in Austin and builds BASTA’s base; the BASTA Education & Arts Advocacy Team (BEAT), which engages allies to creatively educate Austin renters and the broader Austin community; the BASTA Citywide Advocacy and Policy  (B-CAP) team, which develops project-wide campaign priorities, trains our base on housing justice issues, and ensures that tenants are not left out of policy conversations; and the BASTA Legal Advocacy Team (BLAT), which represents individual tenants and tenant organizations, and provides legal guidance to the other teams.

Position Description:

The BASTA Paralegal plays a critical role in ensuring that BASTA members and the larger community understand and are able to effectuate their rights as tenants. Reporting to the BASTA Director of Legal Services, the Paralegal will support attorneys in representing both individual and group clients in matters ranging from eviction defense to consumer rights and will work with other BASTA team members to develop accessible and accurate know your rights materials and presentations.

The ideal candidate enjoys talking to people and listens deeply; double-checks - and sometimes triple-checks - their work to make sure that nothing is overlooked and everything is correct; is naturally inquisitive, questioning their own assumptions and seeking clarity when something is unknown; finds, embraces and amplifies small moments of joy to sustain themselves, their clients, and their teammates; and has the fortitude to provide compassion and kindness to clients who may be in crisis and are not always showing up as their best selves.

Responsibilities

• Under the supervision of an attorney, maintain a client caseload, exercising the independent professional judgment required of an advocate on all aspects of each individual case.
• Conduct eligibility and substantive interviews by telephone and in person. Interviews may at times take place outside the regular office setting.
• Assist in the negotiation with opposing parties, which will include frequent contact with third parties, including landlords, apartment managers, rental assistance providers, caseworkers, and opposing counsel.
• Assist in litigation support, including drafting pleadings, affidavits, and discovery.
• Provide direct representation of clients in administrative proceedings, including representation before housing authorities, utility companies, and justice of the peace courts.
• Provide basic information and referrals to applicants, including those ineligible for services.
• Facilitate interactive tenants rights workshops at properties, schools, community centers, and other community institutions in conjunction with the Organizing Team and Education and Arts Advocacy Team.
• Assist in the development of educational resources that are accessible to community members across language, literacy and educational levels including flyers, informational booklets, pro se materials, skits, know-your-rights workshops, and presentations and identify resources that need to be developed.
• Maintain accurate and complete client files and administrative records, including data entry into client database and other requirements, such as timekeeping.
• Occasionally support outreach efforts in the field to build and maintain understanding of BASTA’s core work.
• Any other duties assigned.

Required Qualifications:

• Commitment to social, economic, racial and language justice;
• Excellent communication skills in English and Spanish, both verbal and written;
• Strong organizational skills;
• Detail-oriented;
• Ability to communicate complex concepts in plain language;
• Ability to effectively multi-task, work well with others under pressure, and creatively adapt as needed;
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team;
• Experience with Google Docs, Sheets and Slides or Microsoft equivalents;
• Bachelor’s degree;
• Ability to work evenings and occasional weekends;
• Authorization to work in the United States; and
• Vehicle and driver's license.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Degree in relevant field;
• Previous experience working in a legal office;
• Knowledge of tenants rights and housing justice issues;
• Familiarity with Legal Server;
• Experience designing effective print materials  with knowledge of Canva a plus; and
• Community engagement, movement, or grassroots organizing experience.

Compensation:

Salary $43,340-$57,213, depending on experience. Full medical and dental benefits are provided to employees. Paid vacation, sick days, and holidays. This is an exempt position but hours are reasonable.