Work-Study - Legal Assistant

Description

The East Bay Community Law Center (EBCLC) is a non-profit legal services organization and the community-based clinical program for Berkeley Law School, committed to increasing justice through education and advocacy and building a culturally diverse workplace, centered on equity. With over 50 staff, 100 law students, and over a $7.5 million annual budget, EBCLC is the largest provider of free legal advocacy in Alameda County, providing multimodal, collaborative, and holistic legal services to over 8,000 clients yearly and engaging in legislative and policy advocacy at the local and state level.

EBCLC is seeking one (1) part-time Work-Study from UC Berkeley for its office in Berkeley. The Work Study would act as Housing and Homelessness Advocacy Team (HHAT) Legal Assistant, providing support to the Intake Team, which manages a high-volume crisis phone hotline for community members, as well as ongoing administrative support to the greater HHAT unit. This position requires trauma-informed de-escalation, crisis intervention, and a commitment to helping EBCLC operate in a barrier-free and client-centered manner. A successful candidate thrives working both independently and within a team setting, is highly detail oriented, has strong organizational and written/verbal communication skills and is committed to furthering the mission for racial justice. The HHAT Legal Assistant is supervised by the Housing Deputy Director.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Interview clients by phone for intake information, including demographics.
• Use case management software to enter data for Intakes with clients already screened for services by the Intake Team, following appropriate intake procedures and policies for the HHAT Team
• Directing clients to appropriate external referrals, as determined by the Intake Team and Supervising Attorney
• Research, identify, update, and circulate referral information for services outside the scope of those provided by the HHAT Unit that respond to client inquiries and needs
• Provide administrative project support and work collaboratively with other program support staff
• Provide additional support on other duties as assigned by the supervisor

APPLICATION PROCESS:

The ideal candidate should be prepared to commit up to 19.5 hours per week for 2026 in coordination with UC Berkeley Work Study Program. The ideal candidate would be an undergraduate student at Berkeley, who has demonstrated a deep commitment to serving the Bay area communities.

EBCLC will review applications on a rolling basis and may schedule interviews before the closing date. Application materials should include: 

1. Cover letter
2. Resume
3. Screenshot of academic schedule 
4. Work-study award amount. 

We strongly encourage individuals from traditionally underrepresented communities to apply. EBCLC does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religious creed, sex, gender, gender expression, gender identity, age, national origin, ancestry, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, military status, or prior contact with the criminal justice system, or any other basis prohibited by law.

Requirements

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

• Clear and concise verbal and written communication skills, auditory processing skills, and phone skills
• Proven ability to handle confidential information with discretion, and demonstrate the highest level of trauma informed customer/client service and response experience with de-escalation
• Prior administrative experience, including proficient or intermediate skills with Microsoft Office suite (Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint). Database management skills strongly desired (Legal Server).
• Strong organizational skills that reflect the ability to perform and prioritize multiple tasks seamlessly with excellent attention to detail
• Ability to give, receive and incorporate feedback, and take ownership and accountability of work areas
• A commitment to Social Justice as demonstrated through an ability to work effectively with a diverse range of groups and a sincere desire to support clients from underserved communities

HIGHLY PREFERRED SKILLS:

• Fluency in Spanish, with demonstrated ability to communicate verbally and in writing accurately between English and Spanish
• Commitment to housing rights and/or advocacy for low-income, people of color.