• Job Description

  Req#: 4378971
  The Adult Representation Services (ARS) department is seeking a Legal Services Specialist to provide culturally specific advocacy and ongoing assessment and assistance involving complex social problems for court-appointed clients in civil proceedings. ARS provides high-quality, holistic, and equitable representation to clients experiencing poverty in certain civil matters where fundamental rights are impacted such as child protection, guardianship, commitment, housing, and child support contempt.
  
  Current Hennepin County employees who refer a candidate hired into an open competitive position may be eligible for a $500 referral bonus. For more information visit the employee referral page.
  
  Location and hours:
  This position is located in downtown Minneapolis at the Health Services Building at 525 Portland Avenue South, Minneapolis, MN 55415, and community sites as needed. Core work hours will be Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., with occasional required evening or weekend hours to meet client and community needs. While this position is designated as hybrid, based on current requirements hires must reside in or relocate to Minnesota and Wisconsin.
  
  New employees who are hired into remote or hybrid positions between January 2, 2022, to December 31, 2024, will receive $500 toward the cost of establishing consistent internet connectivity, payable upon completion of 6 months of employment.
  
  About the position type:
  This is a full-time, benefit-earning position .
  This position is internally classified as a Legal Services Specialist.
  Click here to view the job classification specification.
  
  In this position, you will:
  • Assess client needs and serve as an advocate for clients by developing appropriate service plans that support their goals.
  • Review case files, interview clients, and consult with attorneys to make recommendations that support the client and their case.
  • Prepare clients to participate in the court process, by providing information and explaining legal terms and proceedings.
  • Provide ongoing and follow up services to victims and families including short-term counseling, crisis intervention, and ongoing support.
  • Prepare and maintain case records, reports, correspondence, and memorandums.
  • Maintain working relationships with community resources, mental health and social service agencies, and legal system professionals to coordinate client service plans.
  • Develop and participate in community engagement, outreach, and education efforts.
  Need to have:
  One of the following:
  • Forty (40) or more approved upper division quarter college credits in the behavioral/social sciences (e.g., psychology, criminal justice, sociology, etc.) and two years or more of experience performing duties related to the position.
  • Bachelor's degree or higher which includes or is supplemented by 40 or more approved upper division quarter college credits in the behavioral/social sciences (e.g., psychology, criminal justice, sociology, etc.) and one year or more of experience performing duties related to the position.
  Nice to have:
  • Experience:
    • Working with and advocating for oppressed, underserved, or racially discriminated against communities.
    • Promoting the interests of individuals with professionals and community agencies, while applying policies, rules, and procedures.
    • Providing legal advocacy services to clients from diverse cultural and/or socioeconomic backgrounds and/or communities impacted by poverty, racism, violence and/or distrust of police and governmental agencies.
    • Utilizing existing community and/or system resources available to individuals of limited means.
    • Working and/or volunteering with individuals and/or families impacted by trauma.
  • Knowledge of:
    • The impact of traumatic incidents.
    • The legal system and legal proceedings.
    • Counseling techniques.
    • Available system and community resources.
    • An understanding of institutional and systemic racism, its impact on communities and individuals, and a desire to eliminate racial disparities and address the trauma caused by institutional and systemic racism.
  • Ability to:
    • Display cultural competence when working with victims from all cultural backgrounds and socioeconomic statuses.
    • Provide trauma informed services.
    • Communicate effectively, verbally and in writing.
    • Establish and maintain effective working relationships with clients, witnesses, families, legal professionals, community agencies, and the public.
    Candidates with fluency in another language(s) in addition to English are encouraged to apply. Bilingual candidates who pass a language assessment may qualify for additional bilingual pay and duties.
    
    About the department:
    The Adult Representative Services department reports directly to the Law, Safety and Justice line of business in county administration. The division make-up of employees includes a director, principal attorneys, senior attorneys, attorneys, paralegals, legal services specialists, case management assistants, parent mentors, IT staff as well as office and administrative support staff.
    
    About Hennepin County:
    Hennepin is the largest county government organization in Minnesota. Our employees work every day to improve the health, safety and quality of life for our residents and communities. All of our jobs align to one or more of our overarching goals -- that Hennepin County residents are healthy, protected and safe, self-reliant, assured due process, and mobile.
    
    Our employees receive a combination of generous benefits and positive workplace culture not found at other organizations. This includes meaningful work that impacts our community, competitive pay, work-life balance, a variety of benefits and opportunities to grow. Learn more at The Bridge (log in as Guest).
    
    Hennepin County envisions an organization where our commitment to diversity and the reduction of disparities is fundamental in providing excellent service to our community.
    
    Your future. Made here.
    
    This posting may be used to fill current and future vacancies.
    
    Invitations to interview will be based upon an assessment of education and experience. Final candidates may be required to complete a background check.
    
    If you have any questions, please contact:
    Marita Nguyen
    marita.nguyen@hennepin.us
    
    
    #LI

• About the company

  26667 Hennepin County is a county in the US state of Minnesota.

Notice