Client Empowerment - Legal Advocate

Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid•Minneapolis, MN

2d•Hybrid

About The Position

Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid’s Minnesota Disability Law Center (MDLC) serves as the Protection and Advocacy Organization for people with disabilities in Minnesota. MDLC is seeking a self-advocacy specialist for its Minneapolis Office. This legal advocate will review and triage intake calls for the MDLC. This role will conduct follow-up calls to prospective clients, conduct a preliminary evaluation of the case, and gather documentation. This role will consult with team leaders to determine if the case will be assigned to a case handler for additional representation. Where MDLC cannot provide further representation for the prospective client, the self-advocacy specialist will provide resources and support to allow prospective client to effectively advocate for their legal rights. Employment is contingent on passing a Level V background check as that is required for some of our grant programs. This advocate will become familiar in all of MDLC’s work and priorities including Medicaid waivers, special education, abuse and neglect, disability discrimination and reasonable accommodations, among others.

Requirements

Minimum one year of intake processing and/or case management experience in disability services or civil legal services, or similar position
Excellent communication skills particularly over the phone and in writing
Excellent organizational, and administrative skills
Strong interpersonal skills and cultural competency
One year or more of professional experience working with people with disabilities
Expertise in disability service programs and systems in Minnesota
Proficiency in Microsoft Windows and Office (including Excel)
Comfort learning new legal and case handling technologies
Ability to manage competing time demands and provide legal services in a timely manner
Must currently hold or be eligible for Level V moderate risk public trust government clearance

Nice To Haves

Second language ability (Spanish, ASL, Somali)
Diverse economic, social, or cultural experiences

Responsibilities

Review and triage intakes for the MDLC
Provide self-advocacy assistance including resources and referrals to prospective clients
Assist in developing and maintaining publicly available self-advocacy resources such as fact sheets and videos
Gather documents from callers, when necessary for evaluation of the case
Close self-advocacy and information and referral cases in our data system according to grant requirements
Track legal trends as a frontline staff member
Collaborate and coordinate with the larger MMLA intake team as needed
Understand and apply MDLC case priorities in case evaluation
Apply Legal Aid’s Racial Justice Values Statement in all work-related interactions
Perform other responsibilities as assigned