Public Benefits Team Paralegal B

Texas RioGrande Legal Aid’s Public Benefits Team represents clients in administrative proceedings before the Texas Health and Human Services Commission, the Social Security Administration, and the Department of Veterans Affairs. Texas RioGrande Legal Aid (TRLA) has openings for a paralegal to join this team in TRLA’s San Antonio or Austin office. 

The primary duties and activities of this position may include the following: 

1. Provide direct representation of clients in administrative or judicial proceedings as Person-in-Charge of individual cases; 

2. Maintain a client caseload, exercising the independent professional judgment required of an advocate on all aspects of each individual case; 

3. Operate under the supervision of a Team Manager; 

4. Conduct eligibility and substantive interviews in person and by telephone, which interviews will at times take place outside the regular office setting; 

5. Provide basic information and referrals to applicants, including those ineligible for services; 

6. Interview clients and witnesses;  

7. Conduct follow-up of assigned cases, including investigating facts and researching law; 

8. Serve process and subpoenas;  

9. Prepare legal documents;  

10. Notarize legal documents; 

11. Attend and participate in community group meetings and educational forums to conduct intake and make community legal education presentations which will at times take place outside of the regular office setting; 

12. Prepare legal educational materials; 

13. Translate;  

14. Maintain accurate and complete client files and administrative records, including data entry into client database and other requirements, such as timekeeping; and 

15. Prepare administrative reports required by TRLA; and 

16. Perform other related duties and activities as assigned by the Team Manager and Attorneys.    

This is an in-person position, and regular, on-site attendance is considered an essential function of the role. While TRLA supports flexibility and may allow occasional remote work where appropriate and with prior approval, consistent in-person attendance is expected.

• Fluency in English and Spanish, both written and oral; 

• Verbal, reading, and writing skills sufficient to comprehend administrative law manuals and to adequately advocate on behalf of clients; and 

• Willingness and ability to travel.