Clinical Programs Staff Assistant - Suffolk University

This position provides a unique opportunity to join a dynamic team of support staff, educators, and attorneys providing legal service to our community and educational opportunities to our students. This role will provide administrative support to Suffolk Law School’s Clinical Programs, with a focus on supporting the Accelerator to Practice Program and the Housing Discrimination Testing Program. This position provides significant intake support for clients of clinical programs, as well as tracking and data management for grant-funded programs. Spanish fluency is strongly preferred, particularly verbal skills. The position also provides general administrative support to all clinics, including but not limited to reception desk coverage, and student, faculty, and client support. The position is part of a team that supports events for all clinical and experiential programs. Additional duties may depend on the candidate’s skills and programmatic needs. Through our clinical programs, law students provide free legal assistance to real clients under the supervision of faculty members. Our office is both an academic program and a functioning legal services office. This position reports directly to the Program Manager of Clinical Programs, and also reports to the Director and Associate Director of Clinical Programs. The position is full-time and in-person with generous benefits and the opportunity to transition to 1 to 2 days per week of remote work, based on performance and programmatic needs.

Primary Responsibility:

Provide general administrative support to all clinical programs, with a focus on the Accelerator to Practice Program and the Housing Discrimination Testing Program. Responsibilities include reception desk coverage, answering phone calls and emails, and assisting students, faculty, staff, and walk-in guests. Responsibilities also include help with grant reporting, including data entry and tracking, and running reports. This position assists with opening and closing cases in a timely manner in our online case management system. This position will also provide office support, such as typing and proof reading and editing documents; ordering office supplies, reserving rooms, photocopying and collating materials; and assisting with office equipment such as printers, fax machines, and copiers. These duties require familiarity with Word, Excel, and other Microsoft Office programs; the ability to learn new computer programs; strong organizational skills and initiative; and customer or student/faculty service skills.

Support the intake process for all clinics (ideally bilingually in Spanish and English). This involves interacting with diverse members of the public seeking legal assistance and other resources. This position will conduct the initial screenings of potential clients; identify their areas of need and whether they meet our service criteria; complete appropriate intake forms; follow-up with clinic supervisors for next steps; communicate case acceptance decisions to clients; and provide referrals to other resources when appropriate.

Based on the person’s skill set, this position may assist with one or more of the following:

• Event planning and program logistics, including student, faculty, and alumni events for experiential programs.
• Spanish language interpretation of client and witness communications, as well as document translation for clinic cases. 
• Utilizing law practice technology (case management and other tools), and assisting with social media and public outreach and relations.

Assist with special projects related to clinical and experiential education at the Law School, as assigned by Clinical Programs Manager, Director of Clinical Programs, and Associate Director of Clinical Programs.

Requirements and Qualifications: 

• Strong computer skills (including knowledge of Microsoft Office programs) and ability to quickly learn University phone systems, online application processes, and office equipment;
• Experience with, or ability to quickly learn, database management and law practice management technology;
• Attention to detail, strong organizational skills, and ability to multi-task;
• The ability to maintain confidential information and adhere to the highest ethical standards;
• Strong communication skills and comfort working with diverse populations;
• Strong problem-solving skills and initiative/ability to be self-directed;
• Ability to work as part of a team;
• Experience working in a law office or other office is strongly preferred, including experience working with the public and/or students;
• Spanish language skills are strongly preferred, especially verbal fluency;
• Bachelor’s or Associate’s Degree is preferred; and
• Strong online research skills and experience with social media platforms is preferred.