Part Time Legal Jobs in Decatur, IL (NOW HIRING)

If asked to describe the culture at Metropolitan Family Services, we could do that in one word. COMMUNITY! Reflected in both our internal culture as well as through the services we provide, community is at the heart of all we do. 

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 under-resourced communities, including families experiencing poverty, victims of violence and crime, and the elderly. LAS provides assistance with a wide range of case types, including domestic violence, family law, elder abuse, immigration, human trafficking, expungement/sealing, and housing. With offices in the Chicago area and Decatur, LAS serves clients in Cook County, DuPage County, and Central Illinois.

Metropolitan Family Services (MFS) 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. Are you looking to have an impact on more than just a company’s bottom line? Then we’d love to hear from you!

We are now hiring a bilingual (English/Spanish) Outreach Workers to join The Individual Rights & Social Justice Practice Group in our Legal Aid Society team! The Outreach workers will engage in direct outreach activities to low wage workers to educate workers on their rights and identify potential employment violations or situations of human trafficking. 

The Individual Rights & Social Justice (IRSJ) practice group provides legal representation to victims of crime and currently has projects that focus on services to victims of human trafficking, immigrant victims of crimes, and victims of wage theft. In addition, IRSJ engages in numerous direct outreaches, training, and technical assistance throughout Illinois. As part of a trauma-informed practice we believe in reducing barriers to assist client, which includes being willing to meet with clients in safe locations outside of main office locations. 

This is a part time position at 25 hours per week, and we expect most hours will be in evening and/or weekend. The position will be based out of our Decatur office. 

SALARY:

• The average starting hourly rate for this position will fall in the range of $23 and $25. Where candidates fall in this range will be based on skill and experience level. 

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS: 

• In coordination with the Outreach Coordinator, Supervising Attorney, and/or Managing Attorney works within collaborative partnership to develop and implement initiative, which strengthen and support programs or services that assist or identify victims of labor exploitation or human trafficking.
• Engage in direct outreach efforts to low wage workers.
• Through education efforts to worker and by building trust and rapport with workers, identifies situations where there are wage/labor violations and/or human trafficking is occurring.
• Travels throughout the state to engage in direct outreach efforts.
• Works nontraditional hours (evenings, weekends) to participate in effective outreach.
• Promotes a better understanding of anti-trafficking problem in Illinois; the recruitment methods used by traffickers; and resources available to survivors of human trafficking through community forums and training activities.
• Maintains and completes records regarding information about each outreach, training, and technical assistance activity conducted. Creates and maintains detailed records of each potential victim of trafficking or labor exploitation including demographic information, type of trafficking, and steps taken to connect client to services.
• Using the Vera Screening tool and other methods identified as effective by the Practice Group, screen potential client for indicators on human trafficking, conduct detailed assessment as available and appropriate.
• Works effectively with diverse staff and service population
• Other Duties as Assigned.

KNOLEDGE, SKILLS and ABILITIES:

• Strong communications skills.
• This position involves travel within Illinois. Valid driver’s license, liability insurance and good driving record required.
• Ability to work a flexible schedule including some evenings and/or weekends as needed.
• This position requires lifting/carrying boxes and materials that can weigh up to 30 pounds.
• Must be able to learn and use required software and other technology.
• Ability to work effectively with diverse individuals and groups.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• High School Diploma/GED. At least one year experience in related field required. 
• Bilingual (English/Spanish) required.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Satisfactorily pass all screenings and criminal background checks.

TRANSPORTATION/TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS:

• Driving for work required with a personally owned vehicle. Travel between sites not 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.

Metropolitan Family Services puts our people first with a top-of-the-line benefits package. Find out more by clicking here!

MORE ABOUT US:

Metropolitan is Illinois' first comprehensive human services agency and reaches more than 122,970 individuals and families in Chicago, Evanston/Skokie, the southwest suburbs, and DuPage County with services promoting education, economic stability, emotional wellness, and empowerment.