Intake Specialist - Order of Protection

Job Description

Job Description

Supervised by: Managing Director, Family Law and Protective Orders Division

Status: Full-time

Essential Responsibilities

• Assist with the operation of same day Order of Protection Clinic by providing direct legal services to clients seeking Emergency Protective Orders. This includes interviewing clients about their situations, drafting detailed affidavits and pleadings under attorney supervision, and completing related administrative tasks.
• Orient new interns and demonstrate proper procedures and interview techniques.
• Conduct intakes with potential representation clients
• Assist with providing ongoing legal services, including amending affidavits and pleadings
• Provide occasional coverage for office front desk
• Assist with intake for other divisions on occasion/as needed.
• If bilingual, translate/interpret for clients and attorneys as needed.
• Deliver all services according to principles of trauma-informed care.
• Maintain client files, opening and closing cases according to agency procedures
• Record all client communications in Legal Server.
• Protect the organization and our clients by keeping information confidential.

Other Responsibilities

• Actively participate in required staff meetings and training.
• Keep abreast of the field by maintaining networks and participating in professional organizations.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the supervisor.

Work Environment

• Courthouse and offices are fully accessible. Some work at off-site locations may be required and those may not necessarily be fully accessible.
• Evening and weekend work may occasionally be required.
• Full-time in-office position, may include occasional work-from-home days
• This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, and scanners. Employee is regularly required to talk, hear, see, and communicate effectively via computer.
• Smoke- and drug-free environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in relevant field preferred
• Bi-lingual in Spanish/English Required
• Previous legal assistant or intake experience preferred
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Must have completed or be willing to complete 40-hour Domestic Violence training
• Ability to work with people of diverse backgrounds who are in crisis
• Knowledge of or experience with working with survivors of gender-based violence
• Familiarity with principles of trauma-informed care and willingness to complete additional training
• Sensitive listener with ability to explain complex concepts
• Strong self-motivation and ability to manage multiple tasks
• Basic computer and office skills, including proficiency with the Microsoft Word and Excel
• Ability to work in fast-paced legal environment
• Sense of humor

Ascend Justice is an equal opportunity employer and seeks to employ qualified individuals based on individual merit. Ascend Justice does not discriminate against any individual with respect to the terms and conditions of employment based on that individual’s race, sex, age, religion, color, national origin, disability, genetic information, marital status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, housing status, or any other non-merit factor protected under state, local or federal laws. Equal Employment Opportunity applies to all personnel actions such as recruiting, hiring, compensation, benefits, promotions, training, transfer, termination, and opportunities for training. Ascend Justice is committed to a fair and equitable workplace where everyone is a respected and valued member of the team. Applicants/clients wishing to lodge a complaint about discrimination in the provision of services can do so by contacting the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority. The ICJIA nondiscrimination policy can be found on the ICJIA website at -resources. Applicants can also send complaints via e-mail to [email protected]