POSITION SUMMARY
The Alliance for Children’s Rights is seeking a dedicated individual to join our Adoption Program as a Legal Assistant. This is a non-exempt, full-time paid position.
ABOUT THE ALLIANCE
The Alliance for Children’s Rights is a nonprofit organization that provides free holistic legal services and advocacy to youth and families impacted by child welfare and juvenile justice systems in Los Angeles County, and works to enact policy changes statewide. Our lawyers, advocates, and social workers, together with hundreds of pro bono attorneys and community volunteers, work to ensure that those we serve have the tools to overcome barriers to stability and success, and access to the education, healthcare, and financial supports that they need. Since 1992, we have helped over 150,000 children.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
The legal assistant will support the program director and staff attorney with processing all aspects of the adoption cases from intake to finalization. The applicant must have the ability to handle a high volume of calls and interviews with clients and case load, work independently and handle multiple tasks simultaneously in a fast-paced environment, as well as be willing to become part of a small cohesive team working on behalf of vulnerable children throughout Los Angeles County.
The incumbent will work with, and under the direct supervision of the Adoption Program Director to provide the following:
- Support program director by completing data entry for adoption case referrals and client case intake, conducting detailed client intake interviews, participating in adoption program’s case review and staff meetings, preparing adoption case summaries, communicating with clients regarding status of their case, and regular updating of client records in our electronic database.
- Work with program director to open, maintain and close adoption electronic and physical case files.
- Participate in cross-programs advocacy with our Benefits, Education and Health Care Programs to facilitate a holistic approach to serving clients, including participation in crossover case review team meetings and preparation of inter-program transfers of cases.
- Support program director with communications and follow-up with clients, program staff, pro bono attorneys, DCFS social workers, Children’s Law Center attorneys, and service providers on case issues or status in connection with our completion of adoption cases
- Support program director with preparing legal forms and related program materials, and supervising student interns or volunteers assisting with completing adoptive parent questionnaires, as needed.
- Participate in adoption program trainings and community outreach.
- Complete administrative duties, including copying, data entry, weekly in-office mail sorting, and filing.
- Provide program staff support and other agency staff support as needed, including attending and supporting Adoption Days at Children’s Court.
WHAT YOUR IMPACT WILL BE
The Adoption Program provides legal advocacy to finalize adoptions for children and non-minor dependents in the foster care and probation systems. The program works in partnership with the Department of Children and Family Services, the Children’s Court, and the Children’s Law Center to complete foster care adoptions. As part of our adoption services, we also provide holistic assessments to ensure the children and families obtain the appropriate therapeutic services and monetary benefits to support the health, education and wellbeing of the child and the stability of the adoption. The Adoption Program also educates adoptive families about foster care adoption and their legal benefits and advocates to resolve administrative and systemic barriers to the finalization of adoptions.
THE IDEAL CANDIDATE WILL POSSESS
- Strong interpersonal skills and a desire to help people and serve the community, and ability to work well with a wide variety of people, personalities and circumstances.
- Strong organizational skills.
- Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing with colleagues, supervisors, and groups, and particularly one-on-one with our adoption clients.
This job description is of a general nature and is not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and duties of the position.
EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS
- College graduate, Paralegal Certification, or equivalent work experience.
- Must be bilingual (Spanish/English).
- Proficient in Microsoft Word, Power Point, Teams, Adobe and Zoom.
- Experience with foster care or child welfare is helpful but not required.
- Must have reliable transportation.
- Ability to work some nights and weekends as required for Adoption Program events.
COVID-19 CONSIDERATIONS:
This position would work typically from our Los Angeles office. However, due to Covid-19, this position will temporarily work remotely from home. This position may be asked to return to work in the office at any time at the employer’s discretion. In office presence will be required as needed at the Director and employee’s discretion to help advance Adoption Program and general Alliance events, for training and collaboration with the Adoption team and to help manage Adoption cases.
Vaccination Requirement
This position would work typically from our Los Angeles office. However, due to Covid-19, this position will temporarily work remotely from home. This position may be asked to return to work in the office at any time at the employer’s discretion. In office presence will be required as needed at the Director and employee’s discretion to help advance Adoption Program and general Alliance events, for training and collaboration with the Adoption team and to help manage Adoption cases.
Salary Range
Target starting salary range is $25.64/hr up to $28.20/hr or an approximate annualized equivalent of $50,000 – $55,000 and is set commensurate with experience. Benefits include generous vacation and paid holidays; comprehensive health plans covering 100% of the employee cost of medical, dental, and vision insurance; life insurance; flexible spending accounts for childcare and health expenses; generous retirement savings plan with organization contributions to your 403(b) after one year of employment; and discounts on fitness memberships and entertainment venues.
TO APPLY
Email resume and cover letter to Denise Velasquez, Director of Human Resources at dvelasquez@alliancecr.org. Due to a high volume of interest, we are not able to contact each interested applicant. No calls please. If selected for consideration, candidates will be contacted to discuss our recruitment process and next steps.
The Alliance for Children’s Rights is committed to building and supporting a culturally diverse and inclusive environment that values all staff members’ backgrounds and perspectives in our work. We strongly encourage individuals from all traditionally underrepresented communities to apply. We are committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities. We are an Equal Employment Opportunity employer, and prohibit discrimination against employees or applicants because of race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, national origin, ancestry, age, marital status, veteran status, or any other unlawful basis.
