Metropolitan Family Services empowers families to learn, to earn, to heal, to thrive. Part mentor, part motivator, part advocate, since 1857, Metropolitan Family Services has been the engine of change that empowers families to reach their greatest potential and positively impact their communities. Metropolitan is Illinois’ first comprehensive human services agency and reaches more than 117,000 individuals and families in Chicago, Evanston/Skokie, the southwest suburbs and DuPage County with services promoting education, economic stability, emotional wellness and empowerment.
The Legal Aid Society (LAS) is the legal services arm of MFS. Since 1886, LAS has been working to strengthen families and ensure equal access to justice by providing free legal services to the most vulnerable communities, including families experiencing poverty, victims of violence and crime, and the elderly.
We are now hiring for a full-time Bilingual Paralegal to join the Legal Aid Society's Safe Families Program Team!
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:
- Drafts petitions for order of protection for survivors of domestic violence who have children in common with the perpetrator, in conjunction with criminal cases or independent civil actions heard at the courthouse located at 555 W. Harrison, Chicago.
- Works to ensure that all complaining witnesses (victims) with children in common with their abuser have an opportunity to seek an order of protection in conjunction with the criminal case.
- Assists Attorneys in litigation the order of protection, including sending subpoenas for employment information;
- Works with the State’s Attorney’s Office (SAO), the clerk’s office, and the court to ensure efficient litigation and order processing.
- Inputs data and notes regarding work done and outcomes achieved in a timely manner.
- Participates in public relations and/or community education efforts as needed.
- Manages an assigned caseload within one or more specialty areas.
- Interviews new clients to gather information needed to a) process applications and commence legal work; b) identify emergencies and unusual situations; c) facilitate the obtaining of legal advice; d) and organize and implement action as warranted.
- Identifies legal issues from facts presented by clients, and recognizes additional social or economic problems for referral to other sources of assistance.
- Assists attorneys in client representation and litigation.
- Drafts routine pleadings, documents and correspondence; answers court calls as permitted by local practice;
- Manages court or administrative agency filing and scheduling; conducts factual investigations;
- Performs simple legal research; gathers and compiles documentary evidence; and locates and prepares witnesses.
- Assists in legal representation through communication with clients, witnesses, adverse parties, personnel in public agencies and institutions including judges and court personnel, other service providers, and similar individuals and groups.
- Conducts simple negotiations on behalf of clients.
- Develops a basic knowledge of court and administrative agency practice in assigned area of work, and keeps other staff informed of developments.
- Develops positive working relationships with court and agency personnel.
- Maintains established systems for docket control, case management, recordkeeping, and reporting on a high volume caseload in assigned area, utilizing automated information management systems where available.
- May engage in community education, service planning, and public relations activities including written and oral presentations.
- May participate on various committees and task forces within the agency and with outside organizations.
- May represent clients in administrative level hearings as permitted by law.
- Works effectively with diverse staff and service population.
QUALIFICATIONS:
- Associate's degree from an accredited college or university or higher degree, required.
- OR ABA accredited paralegal certificate, or comparable experience demonstrating working knowledge of legal systems and concepts.
- Demonstrated history of working with diverse populations, and ideally experience aiding victims of domestic violence or sexual assault.
- Bilingual (English/Spanish) required.
- Excellent writing, record-keeping, organizational, and communications skills.
- Paralegals who primarily serve victims of domestic violence must, upon hire, enroll for training and receive a 40-Hour Domestic Violence Certification within 12 weeks of employment.
- Employment with MFS requires proof of vaccination or an approved Medical exemption, required.
- Ability to master the operation of available computer hardware and software in assigned area.
- Commitment to work in public service through direct assistance to people in need.
- Strong writing, recordkeeping, organizational, and communications skills.
- Ability to exercise appropriate independent judgment under supervision.
- Some ability at typing or computer operation at the beginning level is desirable.
- Mobility to work community-based caseload.
- Ability to work effectively with diverse individuals and groups.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
- While performing the essential duties of this job, the employee is required to sit and stand for sustained periods of time, frequently talk, hear, use hands and fingers to feel, handle and operate objects or controls, and occasionally stand, bend, stretch, stoop, kneel and crouch.
- The employee is required to have close visual acuity to perform an activity such as preparing and analyzing data and figures, transcribing and viewing a computer terminal.
- The employee may occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.
SALARY:
- Compensation is commensurate with years of related experience, position requirements, and candidate qualifications. The average salary for the position is $50,000.
Metropolitan Family Services offers a very generous benefits packet to our professionals:
- Blue Cross and Blue Shield Medical Coverage: HMO, Traditional PPO, or PPO w/ HSA contributions.
- Dental and Vision Insurance Options
- 11 paid Holidays
- Paid Time Off (PTO)
- 401K Plan
- Training and Professional Development Plan with E- Learning
- Wellness Initiative Program
- Employee Assistance Network
Preferred
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1 year(s): Demonstrated history of working diverse communities.
Required
Preferred
Required
Preferred
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Analytical Skills
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Interpersonal Skills
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Organizational Skills
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Verbal and Written Communication
Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c)
