Pro Bono Coordinator

Prairie State Legal Services • West Chicago, IL

1d • Onsite

About The Position

Prairie State Legal Services, Inc. (PSLS) is seeking a Pro Bono Coordinator to join their team. PSLS provides legal support to vulnerable community members, focusing on issues impacting basic human needs like safety, healthcare, housing, and financial stability. The organization also runs a volunteer program where attorneys assist clients pro bono. The Pro Bono Coordinator will manage cases handled by volunteer attorneys and develop pro bono projects and clinics based on client needs and volunteer interests. PSLS is the sole legal aid organization in much of its service area and emphasizes high-quality legal services within a motivating, collaborative, and growth-oriented work environment.

Requirements

• High School Diploma, GED, or equivalent and/or a combination of education and years of relevant work experience.
• Excellent organizational skills.
• Excellent oral and written communication.
• Strong computer skills, including proficiency using Microsoft Word and Excel.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work effectively as a team member.
• The ability to cultivate and maintain strong relationships with program volunteers.
• Occasional travel is necessary; valid driver's license and/or reliable transportation is required.
• Demonstrated interest in and commitment to assisting low-income individuals in the resolution of their legal problems.

Nice To Haves

• Spanish language proficiency is preferred but not required.
• Experience providing services to low-income individuals.

Responsibilities

• Interview prospective clients, assess eligibility, and evaluate cases for pro bono assistance.
• Place cases with volunteers in areas of law consistent with PSLS priorities, including housing, consumer, public benefits, and family law.
• Prepare form pleadings and instructional materials for volunteers.
• Maintain client files and database records, including collection of documentation from clients and volunteers.
• Regularly attend meetings and evaluate cases for pro bono assistance.
• Conduct outreach to ensure sufficient clients and volunteers for each project.
• Manage assigned Pro Bono Projects, including maintaining a list of volunteers for each project, referring interested attorneys to different projects, recruiting attorneys for Pro Bono Unit projects, and running clinics for different Pro Bono Unit projects.
• Ensure that volunteers for each project receive all necessary training and support.
• Ensure local volunteers' work is accomplished in accordance with funder requirements, including regulations of the Legal Services Corporation.
• Serve as liaison between the local office and the central Pro Bono Unit, including regularly attending pro bono-specific meetings, reporting on new or emerging trends among the client community, referring eligible local clients to Pro Bono Unit projects, and assisting with outreach to local client populations, referring interested local attorneys to Pro Bono Unit projects and assisting with recruitment of local attorneys for Pro Bono Unit projects as requested, and assisting with local clinics for different Pro Bono Unit projects when requested.

Benefits

• Health insurance, including the opportunity to qualify for a wellness credit
• Dental Insurance
• Vision insurance
• 403b retirement plan, including employer contributions
• 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

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: High school or GED