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 117,000 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 Outreach Paralegal to join our Team!
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

• In coordination with the Managing 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.
• Promotes a better understanding of anti-trafficking problem in Illinois; the recruitment methods used by traffickers; and the resources available to survivors of human trafficking through community forums and training activities.
• Engages in direct outreach events to potential victims of human trafficking.
• Works nontraditional hours, as required (evening, weekends), to participate in effective outreach.
• Travels throughout Illinois for outreach 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.
• 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 outreach, training, and technical assistance activity conducted. Creates and maintains detailed records of each potential victim of trafficking identified including demographic information, type of trafficking, and steps taken to connect trafficking victim to services.
• Administers pre-post questionnaires or other tool to measure knowledge increase for training and outreach events as appropriate. Adjusts and modifies training content and training activities as needed based on results.
• Attends task force and coalitions as appropriate.
• Using the Vera-Screening tool and other methods identified as effective by the Practice Group, screen potential client for indicators on human trafficking, conduct detail assessment as available and appropriate.
• Interviews new clients to a) gather information needed to process applications and commence legal work, b) identify emergencies and unusual situations, c) facilitate the obtaining of legal advice, and d) organize and implement action as warranted.
• Identifies legal issues from facts presented by clients and recognizes additional social or economic problems for referral to other sources of assistance.
• Assists attorneys in client representation and litigation. Drafts documents and correspondence; manages court or administrative agency filing and scheduling; conducts factual investigations; performs in-depth legal research; gathers and compiles documentary evidence; and locates and prepares witnesses.
• Assists in legal representation through communication with clients, witnesses, adverse parties, personnel in public agencies, and institutions including judges and court personnel, other service providers, and similar individuals and groups.
• Works effectively with diverse staff and service population.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Associate's degree from an accredited college or university, or ABA accredited paralegal certificate, or comparable experience demonstrating working knowledge of legal systems and concepts.
• Bilingual in Spanish/English required .
• This position involves travel within Illinois. Valid driver's license 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 writing, record-keeping, organizational, and communications 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.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

• MFS staff are required to provide proof of vaccination or have an approved Medical exemption prior to starting employment. If an approved Medical is obtained, weekly testing may be required (subject to change based on contract or funder requirements or CDC or IDPH guidelines).

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.
• 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

Metropolitan Family Services offers a very generous benefits packet to our professionals:

• Blue Cross and Blue Shield Medical Coverage: HMO, Traditional PPO, or PPO w/ HSA contributions.
• Dental and Vision Insurance Options
• 12 paid Holidays
• Paid Time Off (PTO)
• 401K Plan
• Training and Professional Development Plan with E- Learning
• Wellness Initiative Program
• Employee Assistance Network

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor's legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c)