The Mental Health
Project of the Urban Justice Center (MHP) seeks a full-time Legal Advocate to represent
clients with mental illness in appealing the denial of their claims for Social
Security disability benefits.
Responsibilities include:
- Working
closely with our interdisciplinary team of attorneys, advocates, and social
workers to represent Social Security disability claimants with mental illness
in administrative hearings and appeals;
- Maintaining
a busy caseload and participating in all aspects of case development and
hearing preparation, including intake, requests for medical evidence, written
memoranda and oral advocacy;
- Contributing
to the project's systemic advocacy efforts;
- Conducting
outreach and trainings for mental health consumers and providers;
- Supervising
volunteers and interns; and
- Maintaining
databases and assisting with grant renewals and reporting.
Qualifications include:
- Bachelor's
Degree;
- Knowledge
of Social Security benefits programs is preferred;
- Excellent
research, writing, analytical, and critical thinking skills;
- Efficient
and meticulous attention to detail;
- Communication
skills, the ability to maintain confidentiality and to work with people living
with mental illness;
- Ability
to work independently, manage a high caseload, stay organized, meet deadlines,
and work under pressure;
- Demonstrated
commitment to public interest or pro bono work;
- Ability
to work as a member of a team;
- Advocacy
skills, and the ability to navigate bureaucratic agencies;
- Proficiency
in Microsoft Word and Excel; and
- Proficiency
in Spanish or another foreign language is preferred.
Salary DOE. Excellent benefits. To apply, please send a cover letter, resume,
references and writing sample to esicilia@urbanjustice.org. Please write "Disability Appeals Legal Advocate" in the email subject line. Due to high
volume, we are unable to respond to all applicants and will contact only those
candidates selected for further consideration.
This
is a bargaining unit position represented for collective bargaining purposes by
the National Organization of Legal Services Workers, UAW, Local 2230.
The
Urban Justice Center is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will be afforded
equal employment opportunities without discrimination because of race,
religion/creed, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, sexual
orientation, military status, predisposing genetic characteristics, victim of
domestic violence status or marital status. |