Anti-Trafficking Survivor Advocate & Paralegal
Indiana Legal Services See More Job Openings by This Employer
Job Description
Indiana Legal Services, Inc.
Job Announcement
Job Announcement
Anti-Trafficking Survivor Advocate & Paralegal
AGENCY DESCRIPTION: Indiana Legal Services, Inc. (ILS) is a statewide, not-for-profit organization that provides free legal services to eligible clients in civil cases through 8 branch offices. ILS is funded by the Legal Services Corporation, Indiana Civil Legal Aid Fund, United Ways, Area Agencies on Aging, Lilly Endowment and approximately 60 other funding sources.
The anti-trafficking survivor advocate/paralegal would be part of ILS’s Worker Rights and Protection Project (WRAPP), which is a statewide program that provides know-your-rights education to vulnerable communities, including immigrants, migrant farmworkers, and human trafficking survivors, and provides advice, brief services, and/or direct representation to clients on matters related to their employment or exploitation.
EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY/AFFIRMATIVE ACTION EMPLOYER: ILS is committed to promoting diversity, multiculturalism, and inclusion and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We recruit, employ, train, compensate, and promote without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, veteran status, or any category protected by law.
LOCATION: This position is located in the Indianapolis regional office; some duties may be performed remotely.
JOB SUMMARY: The survivor advocate & paralegal position for Indiana Legal Services provides support and assistance to attorneys in providing high-quality legal representation and advice to eligible clients. Paralegals also assist with outreach, community legal education and client intake.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Draft pleadings and correspondence under the supervision of an attorney
- Conduct client intake in-house and off-site
- Conduct legal research
- Assist attorneys as requested with case handling, client contact and general support, including clerical and administrative tasks
- Conduct outreach and assist with community education
- Assist with developing and maintaining community partnerships and collaborations
- Assist with grant and other reporting requirements
- Provide social services and referrals to clients
- Create and maintain positive working relationships with coalitions, community agencies, local task forces, and state and national organizations working to provide services to survivors
- Collaborate with social work team to staff cases and provide comprehensive wrap-around services as needed
- Create and provide training to ILS staff, local partners, and other organizations regarding victim identification, provision of survivor services, collaboration of legal and social services, providing services in a racially equitable manner, and more
- Provide culturally comprehensive skill based education to build awareness in the anti-trafficking community through coalition building, anti-racism initiatives, and beyond
- Schedule client appointments and meetings
- Attend hearings, trials, etc. with clients
- Maintain documentation for cases, trainings, grant reporting, etc.
QUALIFICATIONS:
- Proficient in Microsoft Word and able to quickly learn new software
- Ability to multi-task and handle multiple projects simultaneously
- Ability to work well with persons with diverse cultural, social, and economic backgrounds
- Ability to maintain client confidentiality
- Ability to work as a team member and collaborate with others
- Ability and willingness to travel throughout the state
- Ability and willingness to work occasional evenings to accommodate partnership schedules
- Paralegal certification and/or experience working in a law office is preferred
- MSW degree and IN license in social work (LSW or MSW working toward licensure)
- In lieu of MSW, similar background with a demonstrated ability to assess and adapt to the unique needs of complex trauma survivors navigating social service, criminal justice, and other systems
- Preferred experience working with clients with the following special needs: victims of crime suffering from complex trauma, MICA (mentally ill chemical abuser) clients, clients with physical illnesses and physical disabilities, clients with intellectual and developmental disabilities, and clients with histories of substance abuse, and others
- Ability to interface with law enforcement and court personnel
- Ability to negotiate with community-based treatment providers
- Excellent organizational and advocacy skills
- Excellent computer skills
- Ability to work within a team model and an interest in research
- Proficiency in languages other than English, particularly Spanish, is highly desirable, but not required
COMPENSATION: The survivor advocate & paralegal will receive an annual salary, which is commensurate with experience, as well as a negotiable benefits package provided by ILS. Benefits include health and dental insurance; low-cost vision plan; 401(k); holiday, vacation and sick leave; position related travel reimbursement; and more to be discussed with ILS.
To Apply: Please submit a resume, cover letter, and a list of 3 professional references with email addresses and telephone numbers to apply on our website through our online job postings at https://www.indianalegalservices.org/careers/ or by email to human.resources@ilsi.net.
