NWLS Employment Opportunities

Northwestern Legal Services (NWLS) is seeking qualified applicants for one (1) full-time (35 hours weekly) Spanish-speaking Intake Screener in our Erie, PA office. NWLS is a PA non-profit legal aid organization providing free legal services to eligible residents with civil legal issues in the 10 northwestern counties of the state. Intake Screeners are a part of our Central Intake Unit (CIU), which is a unit in the Erie main office.

Primary job duties include answering calls to our New Client Line & screening applicants for eligibility, entering confidential client data, making referrals, and scheduling appointments in Outlook. Desirable applicants must have basic typing and computer skills, an attention for detail, effective communication skills in Spanish and English, and use professionalism and tact while dealing with diverse applicants and staff via telephone and in-person. Prior relevant experience is preferred. Knowledge of Microsoft Outlook, Word, and navigating the internet is expected.

Starting annual salary is $29,120; salary increases based on prior relevant experience. We offer EXCELLENT benefits, including health, dental, and vision insurance, vacation, personal, and sick time, 12.5 paid holidays per year, and employer 401(k) contributions. Employment currently qualifies for the federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness program. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer. To be considered, all applicants must email (or fax or mail) a detailed cover letter, resume, and references to: contact@nwls.org.

Northwestern Legal Services (NWLS) is seeking qualified applicants for one (1) full-time or part-time Staff Attorney position in our Meadville, PA office. We are a PA non-profit legal aid organization providing free legal services to eligible residents with civil legal issues in the 10 northwestern counties of PA.

Caseload to include domestic violence, family law, public benefits, housing, and other areas of civil public interest law. The Meadville office primarily covers cases in Crawford County, but some travel may be required. Extensive training provided. Applicants must be admitted or eligible to practice law in PA, or have plans to take or have recently passed the PA bar exam to be considered.

Starting salary range for 0-3 yrs experience is $65,000-$67,000. We offer EXTENSIVE benefits and perks while emphasizing a healthy work/home life balance. Potential loan repayment assistance is available for qualifying loans. Employment currently qualifies for the federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness program. We are an EEO Employer. Applicants must email, fax, or mail a detailed cover letter, resume, references & brief writing sample to contact@nwls.org to be considered.

Northwestern Legal Services (NWLS) is seeking qualified applicants for one (1) full-time (35 hours weekly) Support Staff position in our Bradford, PA office. We are a PA non-profit legal aid organization providing free legal services to eligible residents with civil legal issues in the 10 northwestern counties of the state. The Bradford office services McKean and Potter counties.

Job duties will include activities such as interacting with the public, answering phones and making calls, managing appointments, maintaining client data, making referrals, drafting letters, and providing general office and attorney support.

Desirable applicants must have basic typing and computer skills, an attention for detail, effective communication skills, and professionalism and tact in dealing with people. Knowledge of Microsoft programs and calendaring is expected. Prior relevant experience is preferred.

The starting annual salary is $27,300; salary increases with prior relevant experience. We offer EXCELLENT benefits, including health, dental, and vision insurance, vacation, personal, and sick time, 12.5 paid holidays per year, and employer 401(k) contributions. Employment currently qualifies for the federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness program. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer.

To be considered, all applicants must email (or fax or mail) a detailed cover letter, resume, and references to: contact@nwls.org.

Northwestern Legal Services (NWLS) is seeking qualified applicants for one (1) part-time (15-25 hours/week) Support Staff position in our Franklin, PA office. We are a PA non-profit legal aid organization providing free legal services to eligible residents with civil legal issues in the 10 northwestern counties of the state. The Franklin Office services all of Venango County.

Job duties include clerical activities such as greeting the public, answering phones, tracking appointments, maintaining client data, making referrals, and providing general office support. Desirable applicants must have basic typing and computer skills, the ability to pay attention to detail, effective communication skills, and professionalism and tact in dealing with the public. Knowledge of Microsoft programs and calendaring is expected. Prior relevant experience is preferred.

Starting annual salary is $11,700 - $19,500 depending on the number of hours worked per week; salary increases based on relevant experience. We offer many benefits and flexibilities for part-time staff. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer.

To be considered, all applicants must email (or fax or mail) a detailed cover letter, resume, and references to: contact@nwls.org.

NORTHWESTERN LEGAL SERVICES FRINGE BENEFITS 

The following benefits are offered and paid for by Northwestern Legal Services: 

Health Insurance: Full-time employees are responsible for a small portion of the premium for coverage for themselves and their dependents. NWLS provides a Medical Expense Reimbursement Program  (MERP), which is a benefit we fund to help reduce employee medical costs. NWLS pays the first portion of the deductible; the Employee pays the last portion. 

Flexible Spending Account: This is an optional benefit for full-time employees, which, if  selected, allows employees to gradually set aside tax-free income each paycheck to pay for uncovered medical expenses. This reduces an employee's taxable income by the amount selected, up to $1,500 per plan year.  Employees also receive an FSA card that can be used like a credit card for these purchases; the entire amount elected is available for use right away. 

Dependent Care Account: This is an optional benefit for full-time employees, which, if  selected, allows employees to gradually set aside tax-free income each paycheck to pay for dependent care costs like daycare. This reduces an employee's taxable income by the amount selected, up to $5,000 per plan year. 

Dental Insurance: Full-time employees and their families are covered with a basic dental plan,  which includes a $25.00 deductible per person, with a plan maximum of $1,000 per person, each calendar year. 

Vision Insurance: Full-time employees, spouses, and their dependents between 18 and 26 are covered for an eye exam and lenses (or contacts) each year, and frames every other year. (dependents under 18  covered under health insurance plan).

Life Insurance: Each employee is provided with $50,000 group term insurance. Additional  group rate insurance is available for employees and their spouses; there is a tiered life policy available for children  at a nominal fee.  

Short-Term Disability: This covers 60% of an employee's salary from the 30th day of disability up to six months. Employees may choose to add voluntary long-term disability at their date of hire. 

401(k) Profit-Sharing Plan: All employees receive a given percentage of employer contribution per year, funding permitted, and at the discretion of the Board. This is paid after an employee has worked 500 hours in a given year. There is a 5-year vestment schedule with the beginning vested interest starting at 2 years at 25%.  Employees may also make voluntary contributions to their 401(k) plans and choose how the money is invested. 

Vacation Leave: Employees accrue vacation hours each month up to the equivalent of 15 days per year for the first three years of employment. Employees then accrue leave up to the equivalent of 20 days per year until the 10th year of employment, at which time vacation leave hours will accrue at the maximum equivalent of 25 days per year. 

Personal Leave: Employees receive four days' worth of personal leave hours at the beginning of each calendar year to use throughout the year. 

Paid Holidays: Northwestern Legal Services observes twelve & a half (12.5) holidays throughout the calendar year, for which employees are paid, as long as the holiday falls on an employee's regular work day. 

Sick Leave: All staff accrue a day's worth of sick leave hours per month of employment.  

All insurances and benefits paid for or given by Northwestern Legal Services are subject to change depending upon budget considerations. The above fringe benefits are in effect as of this date. Updated: April 2023.

NORTHWESTERN LEGAL SERVICES PART-TIME BENEFITS

The following benefits are paid for by Northwestern Legal Services for part-time employees:

Retirement - 401 K Plan: Each employee is eligible for a given % of employer contribution per year, funding permitted, and at the discretion of the Board. This is paid after an employee has worked 500 hours in a given year. There is a 5-year vestment schedule with the beginning vested interest starting at 2 years at 25%.

Vacation Leave: Employees accrue vacation hours each month up to a maximum of 120 hours (15 work days) per year for the first (3) three years of employment. An employee then accrues leave up to a maximum of 160 hours (20 work days) per year until their 10th year of employment, at which time vacation leave hours will reach a maximum of up to 200 hours (25 days) per year.

Personal Leave: All employees are eligible for (4) days of personal leave each year beginning in January of each year.

Holidays: Northwestern Legal Services currently observes 12.5 holidays throughout the calendar year: New Year's Day, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, President's Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Veterans' Day, Thanksgiving and the day after Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and New Year's Eve (½ day).

Sick Leave: Professional staff accrue (8) eight hours of sick leave per month of employment, and Support Staff accrue (7) seven hours of sick leave per month of employment. This is equivalent to (1) one work day per month.

All benefits paid for or given by Northwestern Legal Services are subject to change depending upon budget considerations. The above are the benefits effective as of this date. Updated: July 2025.