Employment Opportunities
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Organizational Background
For nearly 35 years, Equip for Equality has been advancing the human and 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, and enhanced safety and quality of care in a variety of settings. We have offices throughout Illinois.
Equip for Equality has three Programs: the Civil Rights Team, the Special Education Clinic, and the Abuse Investigation Unit. EFE has a dedicated staff of 59 attorneys, social workers, and administrative staff working every day to advance our mission. As we work to improve society’s inclusion of individuals with disabilities, we also strive to be an inclusive, diverse, and welcoming workplace.
Clinical Monitor – Abuse Investigation Unit, Chicago Office
JOB SUMMARY
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 position involves working collaboratively with a team of monitors and includes on-site monitoring in facilities and programs throughout the state to help ensure successful community transitions and to address systemic safety and quality of care issues. The position will be located in our Chicago office.
REQUIREMENTS AND PREFERRED EXPERIENCE
The selected candidate must have a bachelor or Masters (preferred) in a social service field, QIDP certified, licensed social worker, LCPC or a valid RN license, and at least 5 years of professional experience working with people with disabilities in the developmental/intellectual disability or mental health fields, along with a strong commitment to their civil rights. Local, state-wide and overnight travel and a valid driver’s license are required.
Manager, Representative Payee Project – Abuse Investigation Unit, Chicago Office
JOB SUMMARY
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 engaging in oversight and review of representative payees under the “Strengthening Protections for Social Security Beneficiaries Act of 2017,” which ensures safety and protection of the rights of people with disabilities in Illinois who are beneficiaries. 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 and compliance with Representative Payee regulations by interviewing beneficiaries and others, documenting observations, examining financial records, gathering information for possible financial mismanagement, and identifying health safety and rights violations. The project also includes educating Representative Payees to ensure that they fully understand their duties and responsibilities. The position will be located in our Chicago office.
REQUIREMENTS AND PREFERRED EXPERIENCE
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. Local and overnight travel and a valid driver’s license are required.
STAFF ATTORNEY – CIVIL RIGHTS TEAM, cHICAGO OFFICE
JOB SUMMARY
The Staff Attorney will perform duties within the Fundamental Rights Section of the Civil Rights Team. The attorney will represent people with disabilities in individual and potentially systemic matters to assist them in maintaining community integration and achieving community integration from institutional settings. The attorney will also represent people with disabilities in court proceedings to avoid guardianship, be restored from guardianship, or assist them in transferring guardianship from an inappropriate guardian. The attorney will further represent people to ensure that their legal rights in institutions and community settings are being respected and ensure the individual is protected from abuse and neglect. Finally, the attorney will have intake responsibilities in these areas of our practice.
REQUIREMENTS AND PREFERRED EXPERIENCE
The selected candidate must be a licensed attorney preferably with 2+ years of litigation experience and a demonstrated commitment to civil rights. Strong oral and written communication skills are very important. The position is located in Chicago and will involve some travel, mainly in Northern Illinois. Experience representing people with disabilities or with disability issues generally is a plus.
Equip for Equality encourages qualified candidates of all background and identities to apply for this position. Please submit resume and cover letter as set forth in the How to Apply section below.
STAFF ATTORNEY, SPECIAL EDUCATION CLINIC – springfield office
JOB SUMMARY
The attorney will participate in all aspects of the Clinic’s work including:
- providing brief written and telephone advice
- oral and written advocacy
- direct representation at IEP meetings, mediations, and expulsion hearings
- direct representation in due process hearings or federal court
- Systemic litigation and advocacy
This position reports to the Vice President of the Special Education Clinic. Training will be provided on special education law, client interviewing, and our internal case management system. Opportunities will be provided to work with pro bono attorneys and law student interns as well as other professional development opportunities.
Our goal is to empower Parents and families to be advocates while ensuring the rights of students with disabilities.
REQUIREMENTS AND PREFERRED EXPERIENCE
- A law degree
- Strong written and oral communication skills
- Experience with and/or commitment to working with low income and diverse client populations
- Travel required within the nearby geographic area
- Commitment to civil rights
- Personal or professional experience with people with disabilities
- Spanish language fluency is a plus
- This position is located in the Springfield office
Equip for Equality encourages qualified candidates of all backgrounds and identities to apply for this position.
STAFF ATTORNEY, SPECIAL EDUCATION CLINIC – chicago office
JOB SUMMARY
The attorney will participate in all aspects of the Clinic’s work including:
- providing brief written and telephone advice
- oral and written advocacy
- direct representation at IEP meetings, mediations, and expulsion hearings
- direct representation in due process hearings or federal court
- Systemic litigation and advocacy
This position reports to the Vice President of the Special Education Clinic. Training will be provided on special education law, client interviewing, and our internal case management system. Opportunities will be provided to work with pro bono attorneys and law student interns as well as other professional development opportunities.
Our goal is to empower Parents and families to be advocates while ensuring the rights of students with disabilities.
REQUIREMENTS AND PREFERRED EXPERIENCE
- A law degree and license
- Strong written and oral communication skills
- Experience with and/or commitment to working with low income and diverse client populations
- Travel required within the nearby geographic area
- Commitment to civil rights
- Personal or professional experience with people with disabilities
- Spanish language fluency is a plus
- This position is located in the Chicago office
Equip for Equality encourages qualified candidates of all backgrounds and identities to apply for this position.
HOW TO APPLY
If interested and qualified, please submit resume and cover letter, including salary expectations. Salary is commensurate with experience, and EFE offers excellent benefits. Position is open until filled.
Send resume and cover letter to hiring@equipforequality.org.
Fax: 312-541-2378
Or apply online: https://recruiting.paylocity.com/recruiting/jobs/List/2193/Equip-for-Equality
Resumes without cover letters will not be considered.
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 Courtney Smith (see contact information below).
Learn about our Voting Access Chicago project and help us make Chicago’s polling places ADA accessible for people with disabilities and older adults. For volunteer opportunities, please contact Bebe Novich.
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. A disclosed record may not automatically disqualify a candidate from employment.
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 application 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 application process, please contact Courtney Smith at courtneys@equipforequality.org or (312) 895-7333 and let her know the nature of your request and your contact information. Disability related information disclosed via the application process will be kept confidential.
Courtney Smith, Human Resources Coordinator
Equip for Equality
20 N. Michigan, Suite 300
Chicago, IL 60602
Phone: 312-895-7333
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: January 16, 2020