What are the responsibilities and job description for the Paralegal - Housing position at Legal Aid Chicago?
Description
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: The Housing Practice Group has an opening for a paralegal that will serve as our Testing Coordinator for the Fair Housing Investigation and Enforcement Initiative. This initiative will combat sex-based discrimination by filing complaints, negotiating with housing providers to affirmatively further fair housing, and training community partners and tenants on how to assert fair housing rights.
Responsibilities:
- Research, develop, and implement systemic and complaint-based testing projects
- Recruit, train, and maintain a diverse pool of testers
- Coordinate testing assignments
- Conduct fair housing tests and analyze test results
- Create, maintain, and update tester forms and training materials
- Maintain contact with testers and manage tester retention
- Manage investigations related and testing materials
- Make appropriate referrals inside Legal Aid Chicago and to external partners
- Maintain and update Test Log and Test Database
- Assist with enforcement reporting and grant reporting
- Assist with research, analysis, and data gathering activities
- Maintain case files and accurate timekeeping in electronic case management system
- General paralegal duties and
- Other tasks as assigned by Supervising Attorneys and Director
Legal Aid Chicago offers a hybrid work environment. Our office, 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 throughout Cook County for testing and/or outreach events.
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 $44,863 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 18 sick days accrued within the first year of employment
- 19 paid holidays, including four (4) floating holidays
- Twelve 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
Requirements
Undergraduate degree strongly preferred. Applicants must have excellent oral and written skills. Ability to work collaboratively with others, and to draft documents including letters and basic pleadings is essential. 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. Good organizational, information-gathering, and case management skills are essential.
To Apply: Submit a cover letter, resume, and the contact information of two primary professional references and one alternative professional reference. For applicants with previous work experience, one reference must be a former supervisor. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, and the position will remain open until filled.
Salary : $50,000
