Resource Navigator in Baltimore, Maryland at Maryland Legal Aid Inc

Maryland Legal Aid (MLA) advocates with and for Marylanders experiencing poverty to achieve equity and social justice through free civil legal services, community collaboration, and systemic change.

Since 1911, Maryland Legal Aid has provided high-quality legal aid to vulnerable, low-income people and communities, helping to remedy their civil legal issues and become empowered to overcome challenges, achieve stability and independence, and reach their goals. MLA also identifies and seeks to remedy systemic barriers. MLA’s core work includes eviction and foreclosure prevention, family law, children’s rights, consumer protection, securing public benefits, and access to healthcare. MLA advocates operate primarily through the courts, via individual representation of indigent clients, but also engage in impact litigation, public communication and outreach, and policy advocacy.

Through this holistic approach, Maryland Legal Aid serves to amplify the voices of tens of thousands of economically disadvantaged and vulnerable Marylanders each year and seeks to be a leader in the legal services field nationwide.

Position Summary

Maryland Legal Aid seeks two Resource Navigators to help address the non-legal needs that affect clients’ stability and the successful resolution of their legal matters. Working closely with attorneys, paralegals, outreach specialists, and other team members, the Resource Navigator identifies and verifies community resources, builds relationships with service providers, and helps attorneys connect clients to appropriate assistance. The position combines resource research and maintenance with community outreach and relationship building. The Resource Navigator identifies and maintains accurate referral lists across the twenty-four counties that Maryland Legal Aid serves. This new position is a non-clinical support position; it does not provide legal advice, clinical assessments, therapy, or ongoing social work case management. As part of the Community Lawyering and Development unit, Resource Navigators will be based in one of Maryland Legal Aid’s eleven offices, with potential travel to other offices statewide.

Resource Identification and Maintenance

• Research, identify, and verify resources addressing non-legal needs such as housing, rental and utility assistance, public benefits, food, transportation, domestic violence support, behavioral health, disability services, language access, senior services, and reentry support.
• Maintain an accessible, up-to-date resource directory for Maryland Legal Aid staff, including eligibility requirements, geographic coverage, application procedures, required documents, accessibility, language services, and current service availability.
• Regularly confirm whether providers are accepting applications or referrals, and promptly update information when funding, eligibility, or services change.
• When identifying and organizing resources, account for differences across Maryland’s urban, suburban, and rural communities.

Staff Support and Referrals

• Respond to resource requests from Maryland Legal Aid legal teams and coordinate with the referring staff member to identify needs and determine appropriate assistance.
• With the client’s attorney, help identify non-legal barriers that affect clients’ ability to participate in their legal matters or achieve stability.
• Provide accurate referrals to community partners, government agencies, legal aid partners, self-help resources, and social service providers.
• In coordination with the client’s attorney, facilitate warm handoffs when appropriate and feasible.
• Conduct appropriate follow-up with legal staff to determine whether clients connected with services and whether an alternative referral is needed.

Community Partnerships and Relationship Building

• Build and maintain working relationships with community organizations, government agencies, legal service providers, and other referral partners.
• Coordinate with Maryland Legal Aid staff to strengthen existing partnerships and avoid duplicating relationship-building efforts.
• Develop reliable points of contact to clarify eligibility, troubleshoot referral barriers, and improve coordination.
• Participate in relevant community meetings, resource networks, clinics, and outreach activities as assigned.

Documentation and Program Improvement

• Document resource requests, assistance provided, referrals, and follow-up outcomes in designated systems.
• Develop system to track referral outcomes, recurring unmet needs, service gaps, and barriers to access.
• Help develop practical referral workflows, resource tools, and staff guidance.
• Share findings with supervisors and colleagues to improve referral quality, manage workload, and inform program development.

Qualifications

Required

• Experience navigating or helping people navigate public benefits, housing assistance, community services, or other complex systems through employment, volunteer work, peer support, community advocacy, or lived experience.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to build trusting, respectful relationships with colleagues and community partners.
• Clear written and oral communication skills.
• Commitment to equitable access to services and to working effectively with people from diverse backgrounds.
• Strong organizational skills, time management, and attention to detail.
• Comfort using databases, spreadsheets, shared resource directories, and other technology.
• Ability to collaborate with legal teams while working independently on assigned tasks.

Preferred

• Familiarity with Maryland’s resources and community service systems, particularly in the communities served by Maryland Legal Aid.
• Established relationships with Maryland community organizations or service providers.
• Experience supporting tenants, immigrants, older adults, people with disabilities, youth, rural residents, or other underserved populations.
• Experience in civil legal services, nonprofit, public service, community health, or peer navigation setting.
• Experience using case management systems, including Legal Server.
• Proficiency in a language commonly spoken by Maryland Legal Aid clients.

Salary & Benefits?

The salary range for this position is $55,000 - $70,000. In addition, MLA provides employees with a generous benefits package, including health, dental, vision, life insurance, a 401(k) retirement plan, 3 weeks of paid time off, paid sick leave, 14 annual paid holidays, and more.

Additional Requirements:

• Please submit a resume and a cover letter describing your interest and qualifications with your online application.
• References will be required at the time of the final interview.
• No telephone calls, please. The position will remain open until filled.

Commitment to Equal Opportunity

Maryland Legal Aid is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic as established by law. We are committed to creating an inclusive and respectful workplace, reflective of our core values, for all employees.

Anyone interested in applying must apply via the online application.