Social Worker

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 requires residency in the Chicago metropolitan area of Illinois or Northwest Indiana. This position may require travel to court or other outreach events.

Position: Legal Aid Chicago seeks a full-time Social Worker to be a part of its Client Support Services department (CSS). CSS staff are part of an interdisciplinary legal services model, working with attorneys and paralegals to provide holistic services to Legal Aid Chicago clients to increase their stability and improve and sustain their legal outcomes. This position is expected to primarily focus on our work with housing advocacy, eviction defense, and/or nursing home residents who are seeking disability benefits as they seek to transition back into the community. The role may also include supporting clients across a diverse range of legal issues and community-based needs.  

The Social Worker reports to the Director of Client Support Services.

Responsibilities include, without limitation:

• Assess client needs and link them to appropriate services, such as rental assistance, self-help services, community mental health services, job and housing services
• Advocate for and support clients’ interaction with service providers, caseworkers, and others, including independent review of reports, treatment plans, and other materials issued by social services agencies
• Consult with Legal Aid Chicago attorneys and staff on behalf of clients, including analysis of social work and mental health issues impacting clients, and identification of services to resolve issues which arise during the legal representation
• Conduct follow up with other agencies and service providers to ensure compliance with agreed upon or court-ordered services and treatment
• Participate in case acceptance and case evaluation meetings with legal staff
• Assist other staff in making informed decisions about case management issues, including assessing client’s capacity to benefit from proposed services
• Conduct independent research on issues relating to clients’ needs and other social service issues and social science research to assist legal staff in understanding larger, systemic issues impacting our client population
• Conduct in-house training and education for staff on mental health, social work and other issues
• Participate in community legal education for client groups and service providers
• Supervise social work internship students
• Maintain case files and accurate timekeeping in electronic case management system
• Assist with grant reporting, as applicable
• Perform such other duties as are reasonably related to the duties of the Social Worker as may be assigned from time to time by the supervisor

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 $65,803-$71,001, which reflects 0-10 years of paid, credited experience.

Legal Aid Chicago offers a comprehensive benefits package, including:

• Bilingual Social Workers 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 stipend
• 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:

• Master’s degree in Social Work;
• A license in social work- LSW/LCSW (completed within 6 months of hire);
• Experience and competence working with people from diverse backgrounds including but not limited to race, gender, culture, age, language, and ability level;
• Dedication to working in a multidisciplinary setting with a strong commitment to collaboration and teamwork;
• Commitment to social justice;
• Excellent oral and written skills; and
• Internet and computer skills, including familiarity with Microsoft Office. 
• Preferred applicants will have experience working with individuals living in subsidized or supportive housing, individuals with serious and persistent mental illness, Social Security benefits (SSI/SSDI), and crisis intervention. They will also have access to a car and a valid driver’s license.

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.