Bilingual Intake Paralegal

Position Title: Bilingual Intake Paralegal

Department: Intake

Employment Status: Full-time

Location: Memphis or Jackson

Supervisor: Intake Unit Lead

Prepared: October 15, 2025

Job Summary: WTLS provides free civil legal help to low-income West Tennesseans seeking access to basic rights of shelter, financial security, and freedom from abuse. WTLS works with community organizations and client groups to educate communities about civil legal issues and access to justice. Candidates should have a strong commitment to access to equal justice for West Tennesseans who cannot afford to hire an attorney.

Under the supervision of the Intake Unit Lead, the Intake Department is the first point of contact for individuals seeking legal services from WTLS. Intake Paralegals play a vital role by interviewing applicants to determine eligibility, gathering case information, identifying legal issues, and screening for public benefit eligibility. Because we receive a high volume of calls, this position requires a motivated individual who enjoys communicating with and helping people. The ability to speak Spanish is required for this role.

Duties/Responsibilities:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the qualifications, knowledge, skills, and/or abilities required. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions of the job. The essential functions of this position include, but are not limited to, the following tasks:

• Interview and complete application process, including translation for Spanish-speaking applicants.
• Perform legal needs assessment on applicants.
• Conduct food stamp/benefit screenings.
• Gather pertinent information about client’s legal needs.
• Maintain accurate and timely case notes in the case management system.
• Translate documents and correspondence from English to Spanish (and vice versa) as needed to support communications and operations.
• Research, as needed.
• Distribute community education materials.
• Perform general office work, such as filing, answering phone, typing, etc.
• Maintain contemporaneous timekeeping.
• Perform other duties as may reasonably be requested.

General WTLS Duties:

• Accurately record and update timekeeping entries in real-time, ensuring detailed and precise documentation of work hours, project time allocation, and task completion for reporting and payroll purposes.
• Establish and maintain a professional working relationship with staff by facilitating effective communication, promoting teamwork, and providing support to ensure a collaborative and productive work environment
• Participate in staff meetings, board meetings, and other meetings, as requested
• Serve on internal committees, work groups, and other groups to promote and improve organizational operations
• Comply with program policies and regulations of the Legal Services Corporation and other funders
• Comply with relevant portions of the Legal Services Corporation’s Performance Criteria and the American Bar Association’s Standards for the Provision of Civil Legal Aid
• Comply with all applicable organizational, professional, and legal requirements for confidentiality
• Perform other duties as may reasonably be requested

Requirements:

• High school diploma or general education degree (GED); and at least six months to one year of related experience and/or training, including experience translating between English and Spanish; or an equivalent combination of education and experience; or
• Paralegal Certificate from college or technical school; or three to six months related experience and /or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively.
• Ability to communicate effectively in both English and Spanish.
• Intermediate to expert proficiency in Microsoft Office, especially Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Excellent analytical, problem solving, computer, attention to detail and verbal and written communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to handle a demanding workload.
• Reliable personal transportation and willingness to travel statewide occasionally and to WTLS’ other offices as necessary.
• Maintain insurability under WTLS’ group auto policy.

Success Factors:

• Demonstrate a commitment to the principle of equal justice and advocacy for low-income people by actively participating in initiatives and projects that promote access to legal services for low-income individuals, advocating for their rights, and ensuring their voices are heard and respected in all professional activities
• Treat clients, staff, and the public with dignity and respect
• Appreciate the experiences and needs of people of diverse economic, social, and cultural backgrounds
• Demonstrate a personal sense of integrity
• Take ownership of projects and produce solid work products
• Work as a member of a team and independently including willingness to help others (cooperative) and share knowledge, information, contacts, and experience
• Address issues in a timely manner
• Use a high level of professionalism, diplomacy, and sound judgment
• Handle and prioritize multiple, competing demands

Working Conditions:

• Work during office hours between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. A minimum 30-minute break must be taken when at least 6 hours are worked. Work hours must be accurate and contemporaneously recorded. A flextime of work hours may be used, if approved. Your supervisor will consider the needs of the office and the preference of more senior employees before approving flextime. Work after hours or on weekends may be required occasionally.
• Work is performed primarily in an office setting.
• Pursuant to the current telecommuting agreement, may work up to 4 days per week remotely after completion of 90-day probationary period. The scheduled remote days will be determined upon staffing of the position. The telecommuting schedule may be amended with prior approval of the supervisor on an as needed basis. Requests for an amended schedule are contingent on approval from the supervisor and will be determined on a case-by-case basis given the current unit staffing.
• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Often communicating with people using the phone, email, via video call, or in person.
• Occasionally lift up to 15 pounds.
• Travel within the WTLS service area. A valid Tennessee driver’s license is required.

Compensation & Benefits:

• Compensation: $44,500 to $52,500 DOE with additional language stipend up to $5,000 annually based on results of ALTA language competency testing. This position is a full-time position, and compensation is made according to the WTLS Salary Scale that became effective on April 28, 2025.
• Benefits: Full-time benefits include the ability to participate in WTLS’ health insurance plan, dental plan, vision plan, LTD, Life Insurance, 401k retirement plan, paid Annual Leave (based on years of employment), paid Sick Leave (12 days per year), paid Holidays (12), and paid week off between Christmas and New Year.

WTLS provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or genetic information.

HOW TO APPLY: Applicants must submit a resume and apply by visiting https://wkf.ms/47Cy7ab. Applications will be accepted, and interviews scheduled on a rolling basis until the position is filled. Applicants are encouraged to apply as soon as possible. No inquiries accepted. Only applicants scheduled for interviews will be notified.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: From $44,500.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Work Location: In person