Paralegal – Community Outreach, Pro Bono & Rural Access

Position Summary

The Paralegal – Community Outreach, Pro Bono & Rural Access serves as the primary field representative for the Legal Aid Society of San Bernardino (LASSB), delivering legal education, outreach presentations, and intake services to underserved and geographically isolated communities across San Bernardino and Riverside Counties. This position combines paralegal responsibilities with extensive community engagement, including regular travel to remote and rural areas such as Blythe, Needles, Barstow, Twentynine Palms, Yucca Valley, and Big Bear. The role also supports LASSB's pro bono program by coordinating volunteer attorney placements, conducting case screenings, and assisting with pro bono clinics.

This is an in-person position requiring a valid California driver's license, reliable personal vehicle, and willingness to travel extensively throughout the service area. The ideal candidate is bilingual (English/Spanish), comfortable presenting to diverse audiences, and passionate about expanding access to justice in rural and underserved communities.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

A. Community Outreach & Rural Access (approximately 40%)

• Plan, coordinate, and conduct legal education presentations and Know Your Rights workshops at community centers, libraries, schools, churches, tribal organizations, and partner agencies throughout San Bernardino and Riverside Counties
• Travel regularly to geographically remote communities including Blythe, Needles, Barstow, Twentynine Palms, Yucca Valley, Big Bear, and surrounding areas to deliver outreach services
• Develop and maintain relationships with community-based organizations, social service agencies, courts, and local government offices to expand LASSB's reach in underserved areas
• Create, update, and distribute bilingual (English/Spanish) legal education materials, flyers, and resource guides tailored to the needs of rural and isolated communities
• Conduct on-site client intake, eligibility screening, and legal needs assessments at outreach locations
• Represent LASSB at community fairs, resource events, coalition meetings, and interagency task forces
• Identify emerging legal needs and service gaps in rural areas and report findings to program leadership
• Assist in recruiting, onboarding, and supporting volunteer attorneys for pro bono cases and clinic events
• Coordinate logistics for pro bono legal clinics, including scheduling, materials preparation, venue arrangements, and volunteer communications
• Screen potential cases for pro bono placement, conduct preliminary intake interviews, and prepare case summaries for attorney review
• Maintain the pro bono case tracking database and generate reports on volunteer hours, case outcomes, and program metrics
• Serve as the primary liaison between pro bono attorneys, clients, and LASSB staff to ensure effective case management
• Assist with CLE coordination and recognition events for volunteer attorneys
• Prepare, review, and organize legal documents, forms, and correspondence under attorney supervision
• Assist clients with completing court forms, declarations, and other legal paperwork in plain, accessible language without providing legal advice
• Conduct follow-up communications with clients regarding case status, upcoming deadlines, and required documentation
• Enter and maintain accurate client and case information in the case management system (e.g., Legal Server)
• Provide interpretation and translation support (English/Spanish) during client interactions, clinics, and outreach events
• Explain court procedures, timelines, and next steps to clients in clear, culturally sensitive language
• Track and report outreach activities, clinic attendance, client demographics, and outcomes for grant reporting and program evaluation
• Maintain organized records of all outreach events, pro bono activities, and client contacts
• Submit mileage logs, travel expense reports, and time records accurately and on schedule
• Adhere to all LASSB policies regarding confidentiality, data security, ethical conduct, and professional standards
• Comply with all applicable federal, state, and local laws, LSC regulations, and grant requirements
• Participate in staff meetings, training sessions, and professional development opportunities as assigned
• Associate's degree or paralegal certificate from an ABA-approved or equivalent program; or a combination of education and experience demonstrating equivalent competency
• Minimum 2 years of experience in a paralegal, legal assistant, community outreach, or legal services role
• Bilingual fluency in English and Spanish (spoken and written) — required
• Valid California driver's license, reliable personal vehicle, and proof of auto insurance meeting LASSB minimum requirements
• Willingness and ability to travel extensively (up to 60% of work time), including overnight trips to remote areas such as Blythe (approx. 4+ hours from San Bernardino)
• Experience conducting presentations, workshops, or training sessions to diverse community audiences
• Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to explain complex legal concepts in plain language
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, case management software, and virtual meeting platforms
• Demonstrated ability to work independently, manage a flexible schedule, and exercise sound professional judgment in the field
• Cultural competency and experience working with low-income, immigrant, rural, and underserved populations
• Bachelor's degree in a related field (paralegal studies, social work, public administration, political science, or similar)
• Experience working in a legal aid, public interest law, or nonprofit legal services organization
• Familiarity with California court forms, filing procedures, and self-help resources
• Experience with pro bono program coordination or volunteer management
• Knowledge of community resources and social service networks in San Bernardino and/or Riverside Counties
• Experience with Legal Server or comparable legal case management systems
• Public speaking skills and comfort presenting to groups of 20 or more
• IRS-standard mileage reimbursement for all authorized work-related travel
• Health, dental, and vision insurance
• Employer-sponsored retirement plan
• Generous paid time off, including vacation, sick leave, and holidays
• Professional development and continuing education support
• Cell phone stipend for field communications
• This is a full-time, in-person position based at LASSB's San Bernardino office
• Compressed schedule: Monday through Thursday, 10-hour days (4/10 schedule)
• Extensive regional travel required (up to 60% of work time), including to remote desert and mountain communities
• Occasional overnight travel required for outreach to the most distant service areas (e.g., Blythe, Needles)
• Evening and weekend outreach events may be required periodically based on community needs and program scheduling
• Work is performed in a variety of settings including offices, courthouses, community centers, outdoor events, and partner agency locations
• Ability to drive long distances (up to 4+ hours one way) on a regular basis
• Ability to load, transport, set up, and break down outreach materials and equipment (up to 30 lbs)
• Ability to stand, walk, and present for extended periods during outreach events and clinics
• Ability to perform all essential job functions with or without reasonable accommodation

B. Pro Bono Program Support (approximately 25%)

• Assist in recruiting, onboarding, and supporting volunteer attorneys for pro bono cases and clinic events
• Coordinate logistics for pro bono legal clinics, including scheduling, materials preparation, venue arrangements, and volunteer communications
• Screen potential cases for pro bono placement, conduct preliminary intake interviews, and prepare case summaries for attorney review
• Maintain the pro bono case tracking database and generate reports on volunteer hours, case outcomes, and program metrics
• Serve as the primary liaison between pro bono attorneys, clients, and LASSB staff to ensure effective case management
• Assist with CLE coordination and recognition events for volunteer attorneys

C. Legal Support & Client Services (approximately 25%)

• Prepare, review, and organize legal documents, forms, and correspondence under attorney supervision
• Assist clients with completing court forms, declarations, and other legal paperwork in plain, accessible language without providing legal advice
• Conduct follow-up communications with clients regarding case status, upcoming deadlines, and required documentation
• Enter and maintain accurate client and case information in the case management system (e.g., Legal Server)
• Provide interpretation and translation support (English/Spanish) during client interactions, clinics, and outreach events
• Explain court procedures, timelines, and next steps to clients in clear, culturally sensitive language

D. Administration & Compliance (approximately 10%)

• Prepare, review, and organize legal documents, forms, and correspondence under attorney supervision
• Assist clients with completing court forms, declarations, and other legal paperwork in plain, accessible language without providing legal advice
• Conduct follow-up communications with clients regarding case status, upcoming deadlines, and required documentation
• Enter and maintain accurate client and case information in the case management system (e.g., Legal Server)
• Provide interpretation and translation support (English/Spanish) during client interactions, clinics, and outreach events
• Explain court procedures, timelines, and next steps to clients in clear, culturally sensitive language

Required Qualifications

• Associate's degree or paralegal certificate from an ABA-approved or equivalent program; or a combination of education and experience demonstrating equivalent competency
• Minimum 2 years of experience in a paralegal, legal assistant, community outreach, or legal services role
• Bilingual fluency in English and Spanish (spoken and written) — required
• Valid California driver's license, reliable personal vehicle, and proof of auto insurance meeting LASSB minimum requirements
• Willingness and ability to travel extensively (up to 60% of work time), including overnight trips to remote areas such as Blythe (approx. 4+ hours from San Bernardino)
• Experience conducting presentations, workshops, or training sessions to diverse community audiences
• Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to explain complex legal concepts in plain language
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, case management software, and virtual meeting platforms
• Demonstrated ability to work independently, manage a flexible schedule, and exercise sound professional judgment in the field
• Cultural competency and experience working with low-income, immigrant, rural, and underserved populations

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a related field (paralegal studies, social work, public administration, political science, or similar)
• Experience working in a legal aid, public interest law, or nonprofit legal services organization
• Familiarity with California court forms, filing procedures, and self-help resources
• Experience with pro bono program coordination or volunteer management
• Knowledge of community resources and social service networks in San Bernardino and/or Riverside Counties
• Experience with Legal Server or comparable legal case management systems
• Public speaking skills and comfort presenting to groups of 20 or more

Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $50,000 – $62,000 annually, commensurate with experience and qualifications.

Salary Basis: This range reflects comparable positions at peer legal aid organizations in California (including Inland Counties Legal Services, Colorado Legal Services, Legal Aid Chicago, and Florida Rural Legal Services) adjusted for the cost of living in the Inland Empire, the extensive travel requirements, and the bilingual requirement. BLS data for paralegals in the Riverside–San Bernardino–Ontario metro area reports a median annual wage of approximately $61,460 (May 2023).

Work Environment & Schedule

• This is a full-time, in-person position based at LASSB's San Bernardino office
• Compressed schedule: Monday through Thursday, 10-hour days (4/10 schedule)
• Extensive regional travel required (up to 60% of work time), including to remote desert and mountain communities
• Occasional overnight travel required for outreach to the most distant service areas (e.g., Blythe, Needles)
• Evening and weekend outreach events may be required periodically based on community needs and program scheduling

Physical Requirements

• Ability to drive long distances (up to 4+ hours one way) on a regular basis
• Ability to load, transport, set up, and break down outreach materials and equipment (up to 30 lbs)
• Ability to stand, walk, and present for extended periods during outreach events and clinics
• Ability to perform all essential job functions with or without reasonable accommodation

Employment Disclaimer

Employment with the Legal Aid Society of San Bernardino is at-will. Either the employee or the organization may terminate the employment relationship at any time, with or without cause or notice, consistent with applicable law. This job description does not constitute a contract of employment or guarantee of any specific terms or duration of employment. Duties, responsibilities, and requirements may be modified at any time at the discretion of management.

Equal Employment Opportunity

The Legal Aid Society of San Bernardino is an equal opportunity employer committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse workplace. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, and related conditions), national origin, ancestry, age (40 and over), disability (physical or mental), genetic information, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law, including the California Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA). We encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds, particularly those with lived experience in the communities we serve.