Pro Bono Assistant

Every day people across Illinois are denied the fundamental rights to which they are entitled under the law simply because they cant afford a lawyer. Its Prairie State Legal Services mission to change that.

PSLS is currently seeking an Pro Bono Assistant. The role of the Pro Bono Assistant reports to the Director of Pro Bono Services and is responsible for providing a wide range of administrative support to the Pro Bono Unit and supporting the activities of the Pro Bono Unit. The work of the Administrative Assistant supports the organization in achieving its mission of providing equal access to justice and high-quality legal services to underserved communities by ensuring that pro bono operations are effectively maintained.

Responsibilities
Among other duties as assigned the Pro Bono Assistant will:

• Check and update ARDC status for active volunteers
• Coordinate and track authorizations for retired and inactive volunteer attorneys
• Maintain the master calendar for the Pro Bono Unit including leave time clinic dates and other important dates for the Pro Bono Unit
• Attend weekly Pro Bono Case Acceptance Meetings and record case acceptance decisions and case notes
• Schedule and coordinate logistics for quarterly in-person Pro Bono Unit meetings
• Attend quarterly in-person Pro Bono Unit meetings and take notes
• Collaborate with the Manager of Training to schedule and coordinate training events for volunteers including tracking volunteer attendance and creating MCLE certificates
• Conduct intakes to screen for eligibility for PSLS services when clients are not screened by intake specialists
• Prepare Rule 298 Certificates and other routine documents for volunteers
• Create and send vouchers for fingerprinting and drug tests to expungement clinic clients
• Handle administrative details for pro bono projects including scheduling Zoom meetings for virtual clinics coordinating with venues for in-person opportunities and ensuring volunteer user profiles reflect participation in the project
• Monitor case transfers from telephone counseling to the Pro Bono Unit and assign cases to the appropriate pro bono coordinator

Salary and Benefits
The Pro Bono Assistant position is a full-time position at 37.5 hours per week. PSLS offers a competitive salary comparable to that of similar organizations. The salary range of this position typically starts at $42000 to $55334 annually and increases with relevant experience. The starting salary for the successful candidate will be determined based on prior 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
• Partial remote work available
• Training and education programs
• 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

Qualifications

• High School Diploma GED or equivalent plus two years of relevant work experience OR Associates degree in related field required
• Experience and passion for working with low-income and underserved populations strongly preferred
• Excellent organizational skills and very detail-oriented
• Excellent oral/written communication skills
• Strong organizational skills including ability to manage electronic database platforms
• Strong communication skills that make others feel heard and supported
• Proficiency with Google Workspace Zoom Microsoft Office Suite and other online platforms
• Proficiency with office equipment (e.g. printers fax machines scanners copiers and postage machines)
• Preference for Spanish Speaking

PSLS is an equal opportunity employer that strives to create a welcoming environment. We recruit employ pay and promote qualified applicants and employees without regard to race color national origin or citizenship ancestry religion sex disability familial status marital status sexual orientation gender identity age pregnancy military status or unfavorable discharge from military service or other characteristics protected by law.