Elder Law Caseworker
Status: 1.00 Full Time Non-Exempt
Reports to: Elder Law Attorneys & Supervising Attorney
SALARY: $25.00 - $26.00 per hour, depending on experience.
Legal Aid of Sonoma County (LASC) is a non-profit organization that provides low-income clients assistance with protective orders, eviction defense, disaster relief, veterans’ benefits, homeless prevention services, and related legal remedies. Our team consists of 40 staff, including attorneys, paralegals, caseworkers and administrative support staff. We also utilize law student and undergraduate interns.
LASC seeks a Case Worker to support our Elder Law Team. The Elder Team consists of two attorneys, one on-site and one who focuses on community outreach. The Elder Law Case Worker will be based on-site at the LASC office, but the position may require travel throughout Sonoma County to assist elder clients with limited mobility and transportation.
The Elder Law Team assists seniors (age 60+) with elder abuse issues, public benefits issues, simple estate planning, and landlord/tenant issues. Services include counsel and advice, legal forms preparation, legal representation, and regular outreach events and workshops. The Elder Team works closely with Legal Aid’s other legal teams, and non-profit and County partners, including Adult Protective Services, the Family Justice Center, and senior centers.
LASC has a high-volume caseload with firm deadlines; this position requires excellent organizational, telephone, and time management skills.
PRIMARY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
Legal Support for Clients:
Answer and screen Elder Hotline calls, and for callers who don’t qualify as clients provide information and referrals to other community resources.
Assist potential new clients (over the phone for hotline callers or in person) with program eligibility screening, conflict checks, and the accurate completion of intake and assessment forms.
Triage and interview clients.
Follow legal case protocols and maintain organized case files.
Conduct client correspondence.
Prepare and file basic Judicial Council legal forms under attorney supervision.
Maintain client and attorney meeting calendars and track case deadlines.
General:
Screen new clients for eligibility as noted above, set up online and physical case files, complete intake paperwork, and enter new client cases into the client database.
Maintain up-to-date case notes, time reporting and client demographic data in the online database.
Close completed cases in the database and enter appropriate outcomes.
Coordinate and help facilitate Elder Law workshops and outreach events.
Collect and maintain statistical records on services provided, as required by funders.
Prepare Quarterly client demographic and outcome reports as required by funders.
Provide administrative support to the Elder Law attorneys.
Occasional driving to court, outreach events, and to client appointments, is required.
Other tasks as assigned.
QUALIFICATIONS/REQUIREMENTS
At least two (2) years’ experience in an office environment, preferably a nonprofit or law office.
Demonstrated ability to work with all persons regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, economic background, immigration status, gender identification, or sexual orientation.
Compassion for and desire to help the vulnerable and underserved in our community.
Ability to work both independently and collaboratively as a member of a diverse team.
Must be flexible, work well under pressure, and manage time effectively.
Working knowledge of computer applications including Microsoft Office, Google Docs, and database programs.
Ability to organize and prioritize work effectively with great attention to detail, including timely case management and capturing of data for reports to funders.
A firm commitment to on-time and accurate timekeeping and timesheet reporting is required.
This position is not remote. Applicants must be within commuting distance of the LASC office in Santa Rosa, CA.
All applicants must abide by LASC’s current COVID related and security protocols.
Must pass a background check.
A valid CA Driver’s license and current proof of automobile insurance required.
Experience Desired, but not required
Bilingual in Spanish
Previous experience in legal services and/or demonstrated commitment to public interest law work or to legal services for the poor, is strongly preferred.
Experience providing direct services to clients.
Experience working with the elderly and/or individuals with disabilities.
BENEFITS: Legal Aid of Sonoma County provides a dynamic and supportive work environment, and an excellent benefit package after the completion of an initial 90-day introductory period. Benefits include eligibility for company paid health insurance for the employee or cash-in-lieu, company paid dental insurance, eligibility to participate in a 401K plan after one year of continuous employment, and very generous paid vacation, sick, and holiday leave policies. Note the benefits package is for the employee only, LASC does not provide health or dental coverage for spouses or dependents.
Note that all employment at LASC is “at will”. LASC is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
TO APPLY: Please submit a Cover Letter and Resume in response to this post. Incomplete applications will not be considered. Note the posted salary range is firm and DOE.
