Paralegal - Immigrants & Workers' Rights (Farmworker Project)

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.

Legal Aid Chicago offers a hybrid work environment. Our office, located in downtown Chicago at 200 N. 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.

The Immigrants and Workers’ Rights Practice Group (“IWR”) at Legal Aid Chicago provides high-quality free civil legal services to qualifying immigrants and low-wage workers. IWR consists of four disciplines -- immigration, farmworker, employment, and human trafficking. IWR staff work together to provide legal services when these disciplines intersect. The paralegal can expect to work on a wide variety of farmworker cases, addressing issues related to health and safety, housing, human trafficking and other immigration matters, and complex federal litigation.

Position: Legal Aid Chicago seeks a full-time paralegal in its Farmworker Project.

Responsibilities include, without limitation:

• Conduct outreach throughout Illinois to farmworkers, including developing outreach plans. Most outreach will take place during warmer months (no car required). Overnight travel may be required.
• Create educational flyers and other outreach materials
• Develop and lead know-your-rights presentations
• Build relationships with community groups, consulates, and other farmworker stakeholders
• Conduct client intakes and investigate cases
• Work directly with clients to gather documents and information
• Assist attorneys with tasks related to pending cases, including federal court litigation
• Work with outside co-counsel, where applicable
• Maintain well-organized case files and accurate timekeeping in electronic case management system
• Assist with administrative tasks as needed
• Other duties as assigned

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 budgeted salary range for this position is $46,675-$51,428, which reflects 0-10 years of paid, credited 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

Legal Aid Chicago encourages applications from individuals with relevant experience, particularly those who have direct experience with communities we serve or perspectives that help us understand and serve our clients better.

Qualifications:

• Strong interest in social justice, especially in the areas of workers’ and immigrants’ rights
• Experience working with immigrant or vulnerable communities
• Bachelor’s degree or some college experience preferred
• Valid Illinois driver’s license is required
• Spanish fluency or strong working proficiency is required
• Strong writing and research skills and excellent organizational skills
• Litigation experience helpful
• Strong commitment to collegial and team-based work environment
• Ability to work evenings and some weekends for outreach
• Good information-gathering skills as well as strong and versatile computer 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, at least one reference must be a former supervisor. 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, sexual orientation, age, religion, marital or parental status, alienage, disability, political affiliation or belief, military or military discharge status, ex-offender status, family responsibilities, reproductive health decisions or any other protected status.

If an accommodation is needed to complete this application, contact Human Resources at [email protected].

Due to the high volume of applications, we are unable to respond to individual inquiries regarding an application status. We will contact candidates who are selected for the next stage of the hiring process.