The Mills Legal Clinic (“MLC”) at Stanford Law School (“SLS”) seeks a full-time Front Office Administrative Associate (“FOAA”) to support the Community Law Clinic (“CLC”), a clinical program located in East Palo Alto. The MLC is the law school’s “clinical legal education” program, providing SLS students practical experience working with real clients on real cases under the supervision of clinical faculty. As one of the eleven clinics comprising the MLC, and the only one located off-campus, the CLC focuses on wage and hour, housing, social security, and criminal record expungement matters. The FOAA will make an important contribution to the CLC’s dual mission of educating students and serving clients and will become part of the thriving clinical community at CLC and SLS.
PURPOSE:
The FOAA will have substantial responsibilities in a fast-paced and dynamic work environment involving competing priorities and deadlines. The right candidate will enjoy both team and independent work, excel at time management, and have strong interpersonal skills. A successful candidate will demonstrate follow through, flexibility, and the ability to juggle multiple and sometimes competing projects and tasks. The ideal candidate will demonstrate professional judgment, discretion, and independent problem-solving skills. A successful FOAA will be able to perform in a fast-paced law office environment and interact with a variety of personalities, including some members of the public who are under the stress of urgent legal problems.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
• Maintain CLC front desk operations including greeting clients and visitors and fielding telephone calls and email inquiries from the general public
• Maintain up to date list of referral resources for members of the public with legal issues the clinic cannot address
• Conduct telephone screening interviews with potential clients
• Assist and work with students on office procedures; assist with office operations including ordering of supplies
• Open and close client case files in variety of paper and electronic systems, including carrying out client conflict clearance procedures
• Maintain client/case databases
• Occasionally serve as an interpreter in meetings with monolingual Spanish speaking clients; occasional translation of documents
• Process a variety of financial transactions and produce, monitor, reconcile, and research budget statements as needed
• Efficiently prioritize tasks and independently resolve administrative problems
• Act on behalf of supervisors with respect to establishing priorities and identifying and resolving problems that are administrative
• Occasionally compose and draft documents for correspondence in support of the CLC and ensure accuracy of content in various documents, social media, and websites
• May supervise day-to-day work of undergraduate students and/or temporary workers, including managing workflow and deadlines, ensuring quality, and providing performance review input
• May oversee and/or perform duties associated with scheduling, organizing, and operating complex events
• Other duties and special projects as assigned, including administrative projects for the MLC
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
Education & Experience:
Minimum of either a Bachelor’s Degree or at least 4 years of experience in a position working with the general public, or combination of education and relevant experience.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
• Demonstrated success in following through and completing projects; ability to take initiative and ownership of work and all aspects of the position
• Excellent interpersonal and customer service skills, including demonstrated ability to interact professionally with clients or customers under personal stress
• Excellent computer skills and ability to learn and adapt to new digital and electronic systems
• Ability to exercise independent problem solving ability and sound professional judgment; maintain discretion and confidentiality
• Strong verbal and written communication skills
• Ability to prioritize and multi-task
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail
• Desire and ability to work both independently and collaboratively within departmental and project teams
• Ability to work with multiple supervisors and interact well with a variety of personalities
• Advanced computer skills and demonstrated experience with office software and email applications
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS*:
• Constantly perform desk-based computer tasks
• Frequent sitting
• Occasionally stand/walk, reach/work above shoulders, grasp lightly/fine manipulation, grasp forcefully, use a telephone, sort/file paperwork or parts, lift/carry/push/pull objects that weigh up to 10 pounds
• Rarely twist/bend/stoop/squat, kneel/crawl
– Consistent with its obligations under the law, Stanford University will provide reasonable accommodation to any employee with a disability who requires accommodation to perform the essential functions of his or her job.
THE WORK OF THE COMMUNITY LAW CLINIC:
The CLC is fundamentally a trial practice clinic. Based in East Palo Alto, a low-income community four miles from the law school, the CLC is the closest thing to a traditional legal services office among Stanford’s clinical offerings. The signature feature of the CLC is its off-campus location, which gives students the unique opportunity to work in a community-based legal aid office. The office affords CLC students extensive client contact, as well as a feel for daily live in East Palo Alto, a majority-minority city which for decades has had a poverty rate well above the national and state rates.
WORK STANDARDS:
• Interpersonal Skills: Demonstrates the ability to work well with Stanford colleagues and clients and with external organizations
• Promote Culture of Safety: Demonstrates commitment to personal responsibility and value for safety; communicates safety concerns, uses and promotes safe behaviors based on training and lessons learned
• Subject to and expected to comply with all applicable University policies and procedures, including but not limited to the personnel policies and other policies found in the University’s Administrative Guide: http:adminguide.stanford.edu
About Stanford University:
Stanford University, located between San Francisco and San Jose in the heart of California’s Silicon Valley, is one of the world’s leading teaching and research universities. Since its opening in 1891, Stanford has been dedicated to finding solutions to big challenges and to preparing students for leadership in a complex world.
Supporting that mission is a staff of more than 10,000, which is rooted in a culture of excellence and values innovation, collaboration, and life-long learning. To foster the talents and aspirations of our staff, Stanford offers career development programs, competitive pay that reflects market trends and benefits that increase financial stability and promote healthy, fulfilling lives. An award-winning employer, Stanford offers an exceptional setting for professionals looking to advance their careers.
Stanford University is an equal employment opportunity and affirmative action employer and is committed to recruiting and hiring qualified women, minorities, protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.
HOW TO APPLY:
Applicants must first submit a resume via http:stanfordcareers.stanford.edu, job number 68229; and secondly email (i) a resume, (ii) cover letter describing interest and prior experience, and (iii) a list of three references to the MLC’s associate director Judy Gielniak at jgielniak@law.stanford.edu.
Applications should be submitted as soon as possible and will be considered on a rolling basis until the position is filled with an anticipated start date in late September 2015.