Job DescriptionJob Description
Organization Overview
Lakeshore Legal Aid serves people living with low income, older adults, and survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault in a holistic manner to address clients’ legal issues and improve our communities. Lakeshore provides free, direct legal representation in southeast Michigan and the thumb and client intake, advice, and brief legal services throughout Michigan via our attorney-staffed hotline. Our practice areas include housing, family, consumer, elder, education, and public benefits law.
General Responsibilities
The Office Administrator receives guests and clients in person and on the telephone and responds to electronic communications with the office. The Office Administrator provides secretarial, clerical and administrative support to other staff in the office, including wordprocessing, statistical and spreadsheet-based preparations, client database processing, drafting court forms and pleadings, client screening, and intake of new client matters. Office Administrators treat clients, co-workers, and all others who interact with Lakeshore Legal Aid with dignity and respect.
Qualifications
High School Diploma, GED, or its equivalent required. Associates Degree preferred. Arabic language skills are required for this position.Minimum 2 years of administrative and/or office support experience. Ability to determine and apply priorities and solve problems as they may arise. Can recognize when to seek guidance from a supervisor if necessary. Must be able to communicate effectively, be empathetic and understand that our clients are a diverse representation of the community. Able to deal effectively with people under difficult circumstances. Proficient in the use of Microsoft Office products including Microsoft Edge (formerly IE), along with Google Chrome and Mozilla Firefox. Word-processing and typing skills with accurate speed of 55 words per minute or above. Professional written and verbal communication skills, including grammar, spelling and proof-reading. Ability to plan and organize multiple tasks. Ability to exercise discretion when processing confidential information. Ability to work independently or collaborate with co-workers. Willingness and ability to adapt to changing office demands. Must have reliable transportation and be able to attend mandatory meetings/trainings.
General Task Areas
Open and/or close office (security, lights, etc.) if the first or last person in the office. Ensure the office maintains a professional appearance, is welcoming for clients and other visitors, and is efficient for the provision of client services. Answer telephones and provide organization’s information, direct calls to the appropriate person or agency, or take full and accurate messages including doing so for other offices when their support staff are out of the office. Greet and respond appropriately to the needs of office visitors and clients. Schedule and confirm appointments and maintain the office calendar. Adopted January 3, 2022Establish a respectful working relationship with vendors, contractors, landlords and facility personnel to resolve any concerns or issues. Promote and maintain civil and professional relationships with coworkers, clients, members of the judicial system, and members of the public with whom they have contact, treating all with dignity and respect. Screen clients for eligibility and case priority. Gather documents and obtain information from current or potential clients and third parties. Pursuant to an office’s intake, case acceptance or case handling procedures, and under the supervision of an Attorney, obtain more detailed information from clients about their cases, prepare notes or memoranda summarizing cases, prepare documents or correspondence relating to cases, and provide clients with more detailed information (written or oral). Prepare or assist in the preparation of mailing lists, letters, reports and other documents as necessary for office legal and administrative work.Prepare or assist in the preparation of legal pleadings and documents, letters, and other tasks for attorney litigation support. Operation of all office equipment (computers, copier, phone systems, postage meter, etc.), including use of software programs necessary to generate required documents and reports, voicemail, email, text, and access to internet resources.Open and close client case files and assist in case processing and statistics as required. Handle all funds within the office. Process billing and reimbursements. Timely maintain office systems including but not limited to fiscal systems such as the counter ledger and petty cash.Sort, distribute, and post mail as necessary. Assist with general clerical tasks such as supplies, copying, report preparation, word processing, file preparation and maintenance, file closing, and general filing. Assist with court filing, document delivery or pick-up, and other errands as required. Timely complete and submit work-related forms and reports as required. Assist in local office community engagement activities including offsite intakes, community presentations, and general outreach. Understand and comply with organization and office policies, procedures and practices; Train and/or mentor coworkers less efficient in specific skills possessed by the employee as directed. Follow Lakeshore Legal Aid policies particularly as they relate to file maintenance, case handling, document production, storage, report preparation and time keeping. Comply with funding requirements in the employee’s own work. Assist with compliance and case management reports, as assigned by a supervisor. Communicate with partner programs, court, community agencies, and local client groups as appropriate. Perform other work-related duties as assigned by the office supervisor, director, CEO or their designee.
Compensation and Benefits
Industry leading employer-sponsored healthcare packageGenerous paid time offPaid HolidayHybrid Remote Work Schedule
** Do not delay. Applications are accepted until November 21, 2025, or until the position is filled. **
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