Legal Aid Society Community Training and Partnership Coordinator, Metropolitan Family Services - Hybrid (Decatur, IL)

Job Details

Description

Metropolitan Family Services empowers families to learn, to earn, to heal, to thrive. Part mentor, part motivator, part advocate, since 1857, Metropolitan Family Services (MFS) 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 122,900 individuals and families in Chicago, Evanston/Skokie, the southwest suburbs and DuPage County with services promoting education, economic stability, emotional wellness and empowerment.

We are now hiring for a full-time Legal Aid Society Community Training and Partnership Coordinator to join our Team! 

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:  

• In coordination with the Managing Attorney, Supervising Attorney and Outreach Coordinator, works within collaborative partnerships to develop and implement initiatives, which strengthen and support programs or services that assist or identify victims of human trafficking.
• Identifies and provides training to community partners and stakeholders in Illinois, including law enforcement, social service agencies, and others on issues surrounding human trafficking.
• Promotes a better understanding of anti-trafficking problems in Illinois; identification of human trafficking; the recruitment methods used by traffickers; trauma-informed interviewing and care; and the resources available to survivors of human trafficking through community forums and training activities.
• Works nontraditional hours, as required (evening, weekends), to participate in effective community engagement.
• Travels throughout Illinois for community training efforts.
• Organizes, schedules, publicizes and conducts training on anti-trafficking issues. Recruits experts on subjects related to human trafficking and trauma centered approach to interviews and working with victims, to present at trainings and other events.
• Coordinates programming, outreach events, and works with MFS Communications department on social media for Human Trafficking Awareness Month each January.
• Articulates agency anti-trafficking services, programs, and goals to community leaders within the business and human services sector.
• Maintains and completes records regarding information about each training activity conducted.
• Administers pre-post questionnaires or other tools to measure knowledge increase for training and outreach events as appropriate. Adjusts and modifies training content and technical assistance activities as needed based on results.
• Attends task force and coalitions as appropriate.
• Works effectively with diverse staff and service population.
• Other duties as assigned.

 QUALIFICATIONS:

• Associates degree from an accredited college or university, or comparable experience demonstrating working knowledge of legal systems and concepts.
• Bilingual in Spanish/English preferred.
• This position involves travel within Illinois. Valid driver’s license, proof of liability insurance and a good driving record required.
• Position will require flexible work schedule including evening and weekend hours.
• Familiarity with anti-trafficking issues.
• Excellent community outreach and relationship development skills.
• Excellent record-keeping and organizational skills.
• A high level of overall performance demonstrating long-term commitment to and broad understanding of quality legal aid work, as well as ability to assume leadership responsibilities.
• Ability to master the operation of available computer hardware and software in assigned area.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Effective interpersonal and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work effectively with diverse individuals and the immigrant community.

Applicants with lived experience or with previous experience in community training encouraged to apply.

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 may occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.

 SALARY:

• Compensation is commensurate with years of related experience, position requirements, and candidate qualifications. The average salary for the position is $50,000.

Qualifications

Skills

Preferred

Word

Intermediate

PowerPoint

Advanced

Organizational Skills

Advanced

Interpersonal Skills

Advanced

Verbal and Written Communication

Advanced

Bilingual Spanish

Advanced

Behaviors

Preferred

Detail Oriented

: Capable of carrying out a given task with all details necessary to get the task done well

Enthusiastic

: Shows intense and eager enjoyment and interest

Motivations

Preferred

Ability to Make an Impact

: Inspired to perform well by the ability to contribute to the success of a project or the organization

Learn more/APPLY here!

Housing Law Practice Assistant - North Suburban Legal Aid Clinic

Location: 3500 Western Ave., Highland Park, IL, 60035

Pay: $45,000 to $52,000 a year

Type: Full-time, Hybrid Remote

Full description and application available via Indeed. 

Housing Law Practice Assistant

The mission of the North Suburban Legal Aid Clinic (NSLAC) is to provide accessible, quality, equitable, free legal services in the areas of domestic violence, housing, and immigration to give low-income, at-risk community members access to justice and the opportunity to live productive and secure lives.

NSLAC is an 8-year-old dynamic nonprofit with a collaborative culture and the goal of becoming the model legal aid organization focused on suburban communities.

Supervising Senior Program Manager - Illinois Court Help

Who: Illinois Court Help

What: We share a vision of a community free from bias, systemic unfairness, and oppression, where everyone is treated with dignity and respect. The Supervising Senior Program Manager, Illinois Court Help is a supervisory, professional position responsible for the day-to-day operations of the brand-new Illinois Court Help program, including supervising a team of staff navigators. This program aims to assure fair and full access to our courts for the public, and to assist court staff and the judiciary in providing this information through a variety of modes - specifically, a telephone hotline, live computer chat and phone text, and asynchronous email exchange. Work is performed with considerable independence and with wide latitude for professional judgement under the general supervision of the Assistant Director, Access to Justice Division. (Please note: This position has funding for one year. Efforts will be made to secure funding and continue the program, but continuation of the program is not guaranteed.)

Policy Fellow - Institute for Justice (U of Chicago)

Who: The Institute for Justice Clinic on Entrepreneurship at the University of Chicago Law School seeks a bright and dedicated person to join our team as a Policy Fellow. Part of the Institute for Justice, the national law firm for liberty, the IJ Clinic provides free legal assistance for low-income entrepreneurs in Chicago and advocates for legal reforms so that entrepreneurs in Chicago have the freedom to pursue their dreams. For example, the IJ Clinic has successfully advocated to legalize food carts, to simplify the permit process for business signs, and to lighten the regulatory burdens for children’s play centers, computer centers, and home-based businesses.

What: The IJ Clinic seeks to expand its capacity for policy advocacy by adding a fellow to our team who is dedicated exclusively to supporting the IJ Clinic’s policy work. The Policy Fellow will work closely with the IJ Clinic’s two supervising attorneys and community relations coordinator to support and guide the IJ Clinic’s policy endeavors at both the city and state level.

This is an exciting opportunity to help guide the future of the IJ Clinic’s advocacy efforts through policy research and to provide our projects with the ammunition we need to change the laws that create unnecessary barriers for entrepreneurs. The fellow will have the chance to collaborate and learn from accomplished activists, strategic researchers, and legislative advocates throughout the Institute for Justice, while helping to lead policy research and work in Chicago and Illinois. The position demands someone who is hard-working, self-motivated, and entrepreneurial, has strong writing and analytical skills, and can communicate well with community members, attorneys, and policymakers. The ideal candidate will have a deep commitment to the IJ Clinic’s mission and the importance of economic liberty and economic development.
The Policy Fellow will:

Development Director - Lawndale Christian Legal Center

Who: Lawndale Christian Legal Center (LCLC) provides North Lawndale at-risk youth, 24 and under, with community- based holistic legal services. This highly relational and innovative model of holistic defense is performed by an interdisciplinary team of attorneys and social service providers working seamlessly together in the community to support, serve, and advocate for youth and young adults in contact with the criminal justice system. The holistic team works together to meet the various needs of our youth from the time they are arrested through the conclusion of their trial, satisfactory completion of any period of probation, supervision, or parole, and beyond. By serving youth holistically in their community, LCLC is leading the transformation of the traditional criminal justice system by establishing new best practices in community-based holistic interventions that are more effective and cost less. More information on LCLC can be found at www.lclc.net.

What: The Director of Development will be an early-to-mid career professional with a track record of success who is ready to lead and implement all the fundraising efforts of a nonprofit. This professional will have the ability to get things done in a fast-paced, growth-oriented setting and will work closely with the Executive Director and senior staff to strengthen core operations and secure the resources needed to make our work successful and our organization sustainable. Responsibilities include:

Executive Director, Legal Aid - Chicago, IL

Cabrini Green Legal Aid
Executive Director
Chicago, IL

Founded in 1972, originally CGLA operated as a general purpose law firm for Cabrini Green residents. Early CGLA staff represented clients across a broad range of issues while advocating for tenants’ rights and alternatives to gangs for youth. Since its founding, CGLA has helped tens of thousands of people stabilize their lives—by removing barriers to economic opportunity, strengthening families, and preventing homelessness. In 2014, CGLA acquired Chicago Legal Advocacy for Incarcerated Mothers (CLAIM), through which CGLA provides vital services for women under correctional control remain intact. Today, CGLA strives to bring about substantive, transformational change in the lives of those it serves by using a holistic model that integrates the delivery of legal services with supportive social services. CGLA accomplishes this through strategic partnerships with social service providers, government agencies, and other legal aid organizations.

Job Description
The Executive Director is responsible for the overall leadership of the organization to ensure delivery of the highest quality services while safeguarding its financial stability. As the leader of the organization, the Executive Director reports to the Board of Directors and is responsible for: executing the strategic plan to address the growing needs of CGLA and its clients; modeling CGLA’s values which are anchored on the God-given dignity of its clients; actively engaging in sophisticated fundraising and development activities; developing and managing the organization’s overall finances; managing and leading the staff and fostering an organizational climate to develop and build staff competencies; collaborating with other leaders and decision makers in the broader legal and human services community; providing the vision to address future challenges and opportunities; and representing the organization as its key spokesperson and fundraiser.

We seek a proven leader who will be a catalyst to fulfilling an organization's mission to answer God’s call to seek justice and mercy for those living in poverty by providing legal services that strengthen lives, families and communities. The ability to relate to a wide variety of donor constituents is important. The leader must also communicate effectively with elected officials, state and federal bureaucracies, businesses, law firms, and civic groups. Given the requirements of implementing the strategic plans of CGLA, the ideal candidate will demonstrate a proven ability to chart a clear direction and implement activities to reach Board approved goals. The ideal candidate will have a proven track record in obtaining private resources through major individual gifts, corporate sponsorships, foundation support, and government grants.

Qualifications
Specific experience in an organization focused on legal assistance is not a requirement; however, an affinity for the creation and delivery of services to underserved populations must be genuine. A connection to the values of CGLA and serving the underserved is essential. Knowledge of effective practices in the leadership and management of legal and/or social services is ideal. A proven ability to hire, coach, and lead employees as an effective team of closely coordinated, highly professional, self-accountable staff members is a must. Of critical importance is the candidate’s ability to transform ideas into specific, goal-driven program outcomes. The successful candidate will have demonstrated skills in operations and business management. Experience making strategic decisions in program design and organizational management in pursuit of board goals is expected.

A bachelor’s degree from a four-year college or university is required; a graduate degree is preferred. A JD degree is not required. Current or prior experience in the field or experiences that would result in a key understanding of the cause is advantageous. Successful candidates may come from the non-profit or for-profit sectors.

Applications and nominations are being received by Kittleman & Associates, LLC. To apply, please send a current resume and letter of interest to resumes@kittlemansearch.com. For more information on CGLA, please visit www.cgla.net.

Cabrini Green Legal Aid is an equal opportunity employer.