Bilingual (English/Spanish or English/Haitian Creole) Paralegal

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. For 100 years, LAS and Metropolitan Family Services have partnered to provide the most comprehensive legal and social services to the most vulnerable people in our communities.

We are now hiring a full-time Paralegal to join The Individual Rights & Social Justice Practice Group in our Legal Aid Society team!  

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

• 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.
• Assist migrants in preparing pro-se applications. 
• Assists attorneys in client representation and litigation.  May draft routine pleadings, documents and correspondence; handles court or administrative agency filing and scheduling; conducts factual investigations; performs simple legal research; gathers and compiles documentary and other evidence; and locates and prepares witnesses.
• Assists in legal representation through communication with clients, witnesses, adverse parties, personnel in public agencies and institutions including court personnel, and other service providers.
• May conduct simple negotiations on behalf of clients.
• Develops a basic knowledge of court and administrative agency practices 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, case management system.
• 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.
• Works effectively with diverse staff and service population.
• Position may required occasional evening or weekend availability.
• Other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Associate’s degree from an accredited college or university or higher, or ABA accredited paralegal certificate, or comparable experience demonstrating working knowledge of legal systems and concepts.

• 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. 

• Typing and computer operation skills sufficient to be able to draft documents and learn required systems.

• Mobility to work community-based caseload
• Employment with MFS requires proof of vaccination or an approved Medical exemption, required. 
• Bilingual in Spanish/English or Haitian Creole/English required.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

• MFS staff are required to provide proof of vaccination or have an approved Medical exemption prior to starting employment. If an approved Medical is obtained, weekly testing is required. 

 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. 

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/ health savings contributions.
• Dental and Vision Insurance Options
• 12 paid Holidays
• Paid Time Off (PTO)
• Flexible Spending
• Opportunities for Student Loan Forgiveness
• 401K Plan
• Training and Professional Development Plan
• E- Learning
• Wellness Initiative Program
• Employee Assistance Network