Paralegal/Legal Services Advocate
ORGANIZATION DESCRIPTION:
Mental Health Advocacy Services, Inc. (MHAS) is a private, non-profit organization whose mission is to protect and advance the legal rights of children and adults with mental health disabilities in order to maximize autonomy, promote equality, and secure the resources needed to thrive in the community. MHAS assists both children and adults, with an emphasis on obtaining government benefits and services, protecting rights, and fighting discrimination. MHAS also serves as a resource to the community by providing training and technical assistance to attorneys, mental health professionals, consumer and family member groups, and other advocates. In addition, MHAS participates in impact litigation in an effort to improve the lives of people with mental health disabilities.
FRINGE BENEFITS AND WORK CULTURE:
Generous fringe benefits include paid vacation, holidays, and sick leave; employee health, dental, vision, long term disability, and life insurance; and parking pass or Metro card. MHAS is proud of its collegial, family-friendly culture that respects the work/life balance of its employees. To that end, MHAS is willing to consider flexible work schedules on a case-by-case basis. MHAS also provides employees with frequent wellness opportunities, including staff gatherings featuring food, a daily stretch break, and trainings on stress management and mindfulness.
JOB DESCRIPTION:
MHAS seeks to hire a full-time Paralegal/Legal Services Advocate to support MHAS’ provision of legal services to children and adults with mental health disabilities. This position will support a number of MHAS’ core projects including MHAS’ participation in the LA County Whole Person Care Medical-Legal Partnership, MHAS’ Homelessness Prevention project, MHAS’ Reentry project, MHAS’ Fair Housing project, and MHAS’ Special Education project. Through all of these projects, MHAS provides legal advocacy for and direct legal services to vulnerable clients to ensure they have the resources and support needed to achieve better mental health outcomes and overall well-being.
JOB RESPONSIBILITIES WILL INCLUDE:
- Assist with client screening and intake;
- Perform general administrative tasks including data entry for timekeeping and case management;
- Under attorney supervision, provide limited service to clients;
- Work in conjunction with Staff Attorneys in cases that involve housing, government benefits, special education, mental health law, criminal expungement, and other issues;
- Maintain well organized legal files and accurate case statistics;
- Assist with the administrative aspects of opening and closing files;
- Collect client data for grant reporting purposes;
- Participate in clinics and other community outreach projects;
- Provide other general administrative support as requested; and
- Assist with other projects and tasks as assigned related to MHAS’ mission.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
- Four (4) year degree or Paralegal Certificate;
- Experience in providing assistance to the poverty population, including experience in interviewing clients;
- Excellent organizational skills;
- Ability to prioritize tasks, manage time, and meet deadlines;
- Cultural sensitivity and demonstrated ability to work well with diverse social, economic, and ethnic groups;
- Ability to work effectively with staff, volunteers, students, attorneys, various government personnel, and community members;
- Self-motivated, takes initiative, ability to learn quickly; and
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS:
- Spanish language fluency or proficiency preferred;
- One (1) year relevant work experience preferred; and
- Knowledge of various areas of law such as housing, government benefits, special education, mental health law, and criminal expungements preferred.
Submit the following to info@mhas-la.org (state “Employment Application” in subject line):
- Resume; and
- Cover letter describing how applicant meets the minimum and desirable qualifications and discussing applicant’s motivation for seeking the position.
MHAS seeks a candidate who is available to begin work ideally February 3, 2020.
View job announcement at http://mhas-la.org/employment-opportunities/
MHAS is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender, national origin, ancestry, age, sexual orientation, veteran status, marital status, pregnancy, mental or physical disability, or any other basis protected by law.