MINNESOTA – In-Office Client Facilitator

POSITION:  Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid (Legal Aid), in partnership with Central Minnesota Legal Services (CMLS), seeks a facilitator to help manage the use of its Downtown Minneapolis office located on Fifth Street just off First Avenue North. The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the ways law firms meet client needs, and Legal Aid and CMLS are no exceptions. Aside from essential business functions and client representation services that can only be done in our office, Legal Aid and CMLS staff are working remotely. However, as courts and government agencies increasingly resume their work, we will have more people needing to come to our office. Many hearings and meetings are now occurring virtually by Microsoft Teams and Zoom. The In-Office Client Facilitator position helps manage office use by staff and clients. The position is initially 6 months and full-time (33.75 hours per week).  

Legal Aid’s mission is to advocate for the legal rights of disadvantaged people to have safe, healthy, and independent lives in their communities. Legal Aid provides free civil legal representation to clients with low incomes and seniors throughout 21 counties in central Minnesota, and to people with disabilities throughout the state. Legal Aid is supported by funding from the State of Minnesota, the federal government, local governments, the United Way, foundations, local law firms and corporations, etc. Legal Aid enjoys a good rapport with, and strong support from, the organized bar. Legal Aid does not receive funds from the Legal Services Corporation.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

The Facilitator will be present at the office each day. The facilitator’s primary duties will include the following:

1. Troubleshooting technology issues arising in conference/trial rooms, in collaboration with Information Technology staff; 
2. Working with supervisors and managers to schedule staff who need to come into the office to assist in ensuring compliance with the physical distancing and spacing requirements in our health and safety protocols;
3. Greeting clients and others who must come to the office building, adding their contact information to the registry, taking and recording their temperature, having them sign a document related to our COVID-19 policies, and directing them to their meeting space and the attorney or other staff they have come to meet; and
4. Sanitizing meeting spaces after use.

Other responsibilities may include assisting Legal Aid’s casehandlers with screening and interviewing clients, drafting letters and documents, helping maintain electronic case files, etc.

QUALIFICATIONS:  Applicants must have:

1. A demonstrated interest in and commitment to the needs of low-income clients facing civil legal crises; 
2. A willingness and ability to work in an office environment that requires frequent in-person contact with others, while maintaining health and safety protocols such as strict physical distancing, universal wearing of face coverings, use of personal protective equipment (PPE), etc.;
3. Interpersonal skills that allow them to remain calm and professional while also being directive and assertive with those coming to the office;
4. Competency with technology systems and the general ability to troubleshoot solutions when problems arise; and
5. Time-management skills, self-motivation, organizational and planning skills, and the ability to work well under pressure.

Diverse economic, social, and cultural experiences are pluses. Proficiency in a second language is a plus, especially Spanish, Somali, Hmong, or Oromo. Experience with case management software, and experience with diverse populations are helpful.

SALARY:  Full-time starting salary for the position is $43,635 to $48,038 depending on experience.  Benefits include vacation, sick leave, parental leave, family medical and dental, life insurance, parking reimbursement, as well as short-term and long-term disability insurance.

STARTING DATE:  As soon as possible after position is filled. 

APPLICATIONS:  Submit cover letter, resume, three job-related references, and a writing sample online at: www.mylegalaid.org/employment, by November 6, 2020, or until position is filled.

No calls please.

Legal Aid is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.