Legal Aid Chicago encourages applicants with relevant volunteer and work experience, who have experiences with our client communities or individuals who identify as a person of color, LGBTQIA+, immigrant, or otherwise having backgrounds and experiences that are underrepresented in the legal profession to apply.
For over 50 years, Legal Aid Chicago has provided free civil legal assistance to people living in poverty in metropolitan Chicago. Each year our attorneys, volunteers, and staff help resolve civil legal problems, including domestic violence, consumer fraud, and unfair evictions. Legal Aid Chicago was founded on the philosophy that all individuals are entitled to quality civil legal representation, regardless of their income. We work to ensure that poverty is not an impediment to justice by dismantling the legal barriers that perpetuate inequality. Legal Aid Chicago staff live our mission through our core values of equity, excellence, inclusion, kindness, and respect.
Position: Legal Aid Chicago seeks an Ombudsman Paralegal for Suburban Cook County. Ombudsman Paralegals advocate for residents of long-term care facilities on a wide variety of issues, including care issues, involuntary discharges, and Medicaid issues.
Responsibilities:
• Visit assigned long-term care facilities in suburban Cook County to educate residents, family members, facility staff and the public about residents' rights and investigate and resolve complaints; and
• Attend resident and family council meetings to advise on issues related to long-term care; organizes and develops family councils when necessary;
• Develop and maintain productive relationships with long-term care staff;
• Develop knowledge of relevant law and regulations including Medicaid, Medicare, and federal and state laws relating to long-term care;
• Complete all training required by the Illinois Department on Aging;•Assist in the recruitment, training, and retention of volunteer ombudsmen;
• Assist in promoting the Ombudsman Project throughout the service area;
• Perform intake, engage in fact gathering and advocacy;
• Represent clients at hearings before the Illinois Department of Human Services, Nursing Home Division in cases involving the denial or termination of Medicaid eligibility for long-term care residents; and
• Perform other duties reasonably related to Community Ombudsman job functions.
Salary and Benefits:
This position is part of the National Organization of Legal Services Workers, UAW Local 2320. The Collective Bargaining Agreement sets employment terms and compensation is determined by the CBA salary scale, based on paid experience.
The Paralegal position begins at $41,500 and increases for every relevant year of experience.
Legal Aid Chicago offers a comprehensive benefits package, including:
• Bilingual Paralegals are eligible for an additional stipend
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance, effective the first day of employment
• Time Off: 15 vacation days and 13 sick days accrued within the first year of employment
• 14 paid holidays, including one floating holiday
• Six weeks of Paid Parental Leave at 100% of the salary after six months of employment
• 403(b) retirement plan with an employer contribution after one year of employment
• $50,000 Basic Life and Accidental Death & Dismemberment insurance, at no cost
• Access to Employee Assistance Program resources, at no cost
• Monthly internet reimbursement
• Legal Aid Chicago is a 501(c)(3) non-profit and is an eligible employer for the federal public service loan forgiveness program
Bachelor’s degree preferred. Applicants must have excellent oral and written skills, and a commitment to social justice. Experience working with the elderly or people with disabilities is helpful. The applicant’s personal background, experience, or professional background should reflect an ability to work effectively in cross-cultural situations with clients, co-workers and the community we serve. Spanish fluency is a plus. Basic internet and computer skills are required, including familiarity with such programs as MS Word, Outlook, and Excel. Good organizational skills are essential. Previous experience with long-term care facilities is preferred. Applicant must have a car and a valid driver’s license. Applicants are expected to make a minimum commitment of two years to working at Legal Aid Chicago.
Legal Aid Chicago offers a hybrid work environment. Our offices, located in downtown Chicago at 120 S. LaSalle Street, is ADA accessible and has convenient access to public transportation and local expressways. This position may require travel to court or other outreach events.
Apply at https://recruiting.paylocity.com/recruiting/jobs/Details/1804689/Legal-A.... Cover letter, resume, writing sample, and the contact information of two primary professional references and one alternative professional reference are required to apply. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, and the position will remain open until filled.
Legal Aid Chicago is firmly committed to creating a diverse workplace and is proud to provide equal employment opportunities to all applicants and therefore does not discriminate on the basis of creed, color, national origin, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age religion, marital or parental status, alienage, disability, political affiliation or belief, military or military discharge status, or ex-offender status, or any other protected status.
If an accommodation is needed to complete this application, contact Human Resources at [email protected].