Employment Opportunities

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Special Education Rights Attorney
Special Education Rights Supervising Attorney
Clinical Monitor
Manager Representative Payee Project
Monitor Representative Payee Project
Operations Coordinator
Controller
Volunteer Opportunities

Special Education Rights Attorney

For over 30 years, Equip for Equality has been advancing the human & civil rights of people with disabilities across Illinois. Among our many accomplishments, Equip for Equality has made Chicago public transportation more accessible, helped tens of thousands of people with disabilities move from institutions into the community, increased inclusive education and educational outcomes for students with disabilities, enhanced safety and quality of care in institutions and the community drafted and passed new Illinois laws. We currently have offices in Chicago, Springfield, Moline, and Carbondale. We are expanding our offices in Rockford and Metro East, and welcome applications from anywhere in Illinois or the surrounding areas.

We are hiring an Attorney for our Special Education Clinic. This role reports to the Clinic’s VP and directly represents people with disabilities in administrative hearings and other litigation.

The ideal candidate has five or more years of involvement in public interest law or litigation, a law degree, Illinois Law License, excellent writing, and client service skills, and a strong commitment to the civil rights of children with disabilities. Spanish is a plus as are special education legal experience, teaching experience, and special education work in general. Travel is required, mostly in the region.

Diverse candidates, especially people of color and people with disabilities, are encouraged to apply. Personal as well as professional experience with people with disabilities is a plus. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer. Applicants should send a cover letter and resume. In your cover letter please indicate your salary expectations. Applications without cover letters will not be considered. Please apply to Megan Loutfi, contact information below.

Special Education Rights Supervising Attorney

For over 30 years, Equip for Equality has been advancing the human & civil rights of people with disabilities across Illinois. Among our many accomplishments, Equip for Equality has made Chicago public transportation more accessible, helped tens of thousands of people with disabilities move from institutions into the community, increased inclusive education and educational outcomes for students with disabilities, enhanced safety and quality of care in institutions and the community drafted and passed new Illinois laws. We currently have offices in Chicago, Springfield, Moline, and Carbondale.

We are hiring a Supervising Attorney for our Special Education Clinic in our Chicago office. This role reports to the Clinic’s VP and supervises and manages the day-to-day operations of the Clinic’s legal staff. The Supervising Attorney also directly represents people with disabilities in administrative hearings and other litigation.

The ideal candidate has five or more years of involvement in public interest or special education law, three or more years of legal supervision or equivalent managerial experience, a law degree, Illinois Law License, excellent supervisory, writing, and client service skills, and a strong commitment to the civil rights of children with disabilities. Spanish is a plus as are teaching experience and special education work. Travel is required, mostly in the region.

Diverse candidates, especially people of color and people with disabilities, are encouraged to apply. Personal as well as professional experience with people with disabilities is a plus. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer. Applicants should send a cover letter and resume. In your cover letter please indicate your salary expectations. Applications without cover letters will not be considered. Please apply to Megan Loutfi, contact information below.

Clinical Monitor – Abuse Investigation Unit

Equip for Equality, a disability rights organization headquartered in Chicago and providing advocacy and legal services throughout Illinois, is seeking an experienced clinical professional to support efforts to ensure safety and quality of care for people with disabilities in Illinois.

The selected candidate must have a bachelor or Masters (preferred) in a social service field, licensed social worker, LCPC or a valid RN license, and at least 5 years of professional experience working with people with developmental/intellectual disabilities along with a strong commitment to their civil rights.

The position involves working collaboratively with a team of monitors and includes on-site monitoring in facilities and programs to help ensure successful community transitions. The position will be located in our Chicago office. Local and overnight travel and a valid driver’s license are required.

Open immediately. Competitive salary with excellent benefits. Equal Opportunity Employer. Diverse candidates, especially people of color and people with disabilities, are encouraged to apply. Personal as well as professional experience with people with disabilities is a plus. Applicants should send a cover letter, resume, and salary expectations to Megan Loutfi, contact information below.

Manager Representative Payee Project – Abuse Investigation Unit

Equip for Equality, a disability rights organization headquartered in Chicago and providing advocacy and legal services throughout Illinois, is seeking a clinical professional with project management experience to manage a program which will engage in oversight and review of representative payees under the “Strengthening Protections for Social Security Beneficiaries Act of 2017” which was enacted to ensure safety and protection of the rights of people with disabilities in Illinois who are beneficiaries.

The selected candidate must have a Masters degree and at least 5 years of professional experience managing programs serving people with disabilities in medical, mental health, developmental disability, rehabilitation or social work fields and a strong commitment to their civil rights.

The position involves managing the program under the supervision of the Abuse Investigation Unit Vice President and working with the staff to meet the requirements of the program. Those requirements include on-site reviews to ensure the suitability of representative payees, interviewing beneficiaries and others, documenting observations, examining financial records, gathering information for possible financial mismanagement, and identifying health and safety violations. The project also includes educating Representative Payees to ensure that they fully understand their duties and responsibilities. Local and overnight travel and a valid driver’s license are required.

Competitive salary with excellent benefits. Equal Opportunity Employer. Diverse candidates, especially people of color and people with disabilities, are encouraged to apply. Personal as well as professional experience with people with disabilities is a plus. Applicants should send a cover letter, resume, and salary expectations to Megan Loutfi, contact information below.

Monitor Representative Payee Project – Abuse Investigation Unit (Multiple Openings)

Equip for Equality, a disability rights organization headquartered in Chicago and providing advocacy and legal services throughout Illinois, is seeking an experienced clinical professional to engage in oversight and review of representative payees under the “Strengthening Protections for Social Security Beneficiaries Act of 2017” which was enacted to ensure safety and protection of the rights of people with disabilities in Illinois who are beneficiaries.

The selected candidate must have a BA degree in a social service field, and at least 3 years of professional experience working with people with disabilities in medical, mental health, developmental disability, rehabilitation or social work fields and a strong commitment to their civil rights.

The position involves on-site reviews to ensure the suitability of representative payees and includes interviewing beneficiaries and others, documenting observations, examining financial records, gathering information for possible financial mismanagement, and identifying health and safety violations. The position also includes educating Representative Payees to ensure that they fully understand their duties and responsibilities. Local and overnight travel and a valid driver’s license are required.

Competitive salary with excellent benefits. Equal Opportunity Employer. Diverse candidates, especially people of color and people with disabilities, are encouraged to apply. Personal as well as professional experience with people with disabilities is a plus. Applicants should send a cover letter, resume, and salary expectations to Megan Loutfi, contact information below.

Operations Coordinator

We are seeking a three-day-a-week part-time Operations Coordinator for our Chicago office. This position works closely with fiscal, IT, HR, and administrative staff to ensure the office runs smoothly and efficiently. The selected candidate will be customer service oriented, have a minimum of an associate’s degree or equivalent experience, three or more years of office coordination experience, knowledge of purchasing and inventory systems, Word and Excel.

Hourly pay with paid time off and retirement plan benefits. Equal Opportunity Employer. EFE is an inclusive environment and diverse candidates. People with disabilities, people of color, and veterans are encouraged to apply. Applicants should send a cover letter, resume, and salary expectations to Megan Loutfi, contact information below.

Controller

We are seeking a Controller in our Chicago office. The Controller manages Equip for Equality’s accounting function under the general supervision of the CFO. Directly supervises 2 -3 people. This job presents an excellent opportunity for a finance professional to fully use technical skills while growing and enhancing nonprofit leadership skills.

Essential functions

•  Day-to-day management of accounting functions, including payroll, A/P, A/R and cash management.
• Active management of multiple federal, state and private grants, ensuring compliance with funding requirements as well as organizational policies and procedures. Communication with staff and leadership on spending discrepancies as well as assistance with developing budgets for new grant applications.
• Assist and support CFO and agency leaders with annual budget development. Monitor monthly performance against targets and assist with variance analysis and mitigation planning. Assist Board Treasurer as needed in developing financial information for board review.
• Prepare for annual audits, directing preparations and resolving issues and questions as they arise.
• Ensure agency fiscal activities are consistent with applicable laws and regulations as well as internal policies and procedures. Maintain Accounting Policy and Procedure Manual, initiating updates as needed to improve agency’s systems and internal controls.
• Directly supervise accounting staff, monitoring and appraising performance, providing support and education as needed on accounting issues.
• Work with agency program management as well as CEO and Board on financial matters, assisting in their understanding, and engaging cooperation towards overall financial goals.
• Lead or assist with special finance projects – indirect cost proposal, banking relationships, systems upgrade, etc.
• Other duties as assigned
• Education and Experience
• Bachelor’s degree in accounting required. Master’s degree or equivalent knowledge through experience strongly preferred.
• CPA preferred.
• At least 5 years relevant experience including fund accounting software, and federal and/or state grants experience.
• Experience working successfully with non-financial staff on financial topics.

Competitive salary with excellent benefits. People with disabilities and diverse candidates are strongly urged to apply. Applicants should send a cover letter, resume, and salary expectations to Megan Loutfi, Human Resources Manager, contact information below.

Thank you for your interest in working with Equip for Equality!

We have volunteer opportunities!

Did you know you can volunteer or have an unpaid internship with EFE? Students and professionals can volunteer by providing general office help or through internships with our technology department, human resources and other areas of our state-wide non-profit organization. (If you’re an attorney, law student or law school graduate, please read about our Pro Bono Attorney and Law Student Initiative which offers an opportunity to help with our disability rights cases and obtain hands-on legal advocacy experience. You can also learn about Public Interest career opportunities at Illinois Legal Aid OnLine.) For information about our volunteer and unpaid internship opportunities for non-attorneys, please contact Megan Loutfi (see contact information below).

Learn about our current voting access project volunteer opportunity! Help Us Make Chicago’s Polling Places ADA Accessible for People with Disabilities & Older Adults!

Background Checks

Because Equip for Equality is a community-serving organization and safety is of the utmost importance, Equip for Equality requires a background check for employees and others who volunteer or perform services for us depending on the role. The background check is run for employees once a conditional offer of employment has been extended. Background checks are conducted in accordance with all applicable laws, EFE’s policy, and paid for by EFE.

We are an equal opportunity employer.

We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to disability, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, and other legally protected characteristics. View the Department of Labor’s “EEO is The Law” poster for more information about how employers must comply with Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) laws.

Do you need a reasonable accommodation for our employment process?

Equip for Equality is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation because of a disability for any part of the employment process, please send an e-mail to MeganL@equipforequality.org or call (312) 895-7333 and let her know the nature of your request and your contact information. We look forward to hearing from you!

Megan Loutfi, Human Resources Manager
Equip for Equality
20 N. Michigan, Suite 300
Chicago, IL 60602
Fax: 312-541-2378

• Learn about our Pro Bono Attorney and Law Student Initiative, which provides volunteer opportunities for attorneys, law students and law school graduates.
• Read about some of our case work involving employment discrimination, guardianship, abuse and neglect or special education.
• Sign up for our newsletter.

Last updated: June 21, 2018