Paralegal (Elder Rights)
Prairie State Legal Services focuses services on legal problems that impact the ability of our clients to meet their basic human needs, including physical safety, access to healthcare, adequate housing, and similar needs. PSLS has 11 offices serving 36 counties throughout northern and central Illinois. It is the only legal aid organization in the majority of its service area providing services to the poor, elderly, and people with disabilities. Many positions are available throughout our service area-please visit our website for a complete listing.
Under this project, PSLS provides comprehensive legal assistance to vulnerable older adults, including those requiring long term care via nursing home, supportive living, assisted housing or in-home care and those who are victims of elder abuse. The Paralegal will be based in our office in West Chicago, and will work with experienced staff attorneys in multiple PSLS offices in obtaining financial documentation to aid in assessing elder abuse, establishing eligibility for Medicaid, and similar issues for older adults. This position does not require a paralegal degree.
Responsibilities
Among other duties as assigned, the Paralegal will:
- Interview applicants for legal services and assess their legal issues, with a focus on assisting older adults with issues related to long term care medical assistance
- Collect and develop financial documentation and other evidence to support Medicaid long term care applications and related matters
- Under the supervision of a licensed attorney, provide services including legal research, factual investigation, and document preparation
- Develop tools to further PSLS’ goal of serving older adults in long term care cases, including documents to guide best practices for PSLS staff and client family members, and other educational materials for older adults and their family members
- Engage with nursing home ombudsmen and local, state, and federal governments and community agencies that serve older adults to coordinate service delivery
- Travel to other PSLS offices and long term care facilities is required.
- Provide accurate and complete information for grant reporting to grant funders including documenting services in the case record
- Exhibit a high level of personal energy, organization, and commitment to the position and the PSLS mission
Salary and Benefits
The Paralegal position is a full-time position at 37.5 hours per week. PSLS offers a salary competitive with similar organizations. Our Paralegal salary scale starts at $35,000 per year for candidates who meet the minimum qualifications, and increases with each year of relevant experience. PSLS is committed to providing an excellent, comprehensive benefits package to its full-time employees that includes:
- Health insurance, including the opportunity to qualify for a wellness credit
- Dental insurance
- Vision insurance
- 403b retirement plan including employer contributions
- Extensive training and education program
- PTO that starts at 3 weeks/year and increases with additional years worked at PSLS
- Paid sick leave
- 6 weeks of paid parental leave after one year of employment
- 12 paid holidays
- 2-year associate degree, 4-year bachelor’s degree, and/or a paralegal certificate
- Excellent time management, organizational, oral/written communication, and research skills
- Strong interpersonal skills
- Proficient with computers and online tools
- Previous legal experience preferred
- Local travel is necessary; valid driver’s license and/or reliable transportation is required
- We will give preference to candidates who have experience working with older adults and/or working with financial institutions
Please indicate “Elder Rights Paralegal-West Suburban” in the subject line and email a letter explaining your interest and experience, resume and three references to careers@pslegal.org.
Resumes accepted until position is filled.
Prairie State Legal Services is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive working environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We recruit, employ, pay, and promote qualified applicants and employees without regard to race, ethnicity, color, religion, gender, gender identity, expression, or presentation, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or any other legally protected status.