Legal Aid Staff Attorney Benefits Unit (Cwjc)

Community Legal Aid; Worcester (MA); Hybrid; USD 73,000 - 109,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) with employer contribution

Health insurance

Malpractice insurance

Paid leave: 4 weeks vacation, 3 days,

12 sick days, and 13 holidays

Student loan repayment assistance

Relocation stipend

Job summary

CWJC in Worcester seeks a staff attorney to provide legal help in public benefits cases (TAFDC, EAEDC, SNAP, MassHealth) and to represent clients facing emergency shelter and benefits actions.

The attorney will handle administrative and appellate matters, engage in outreach and education, and participate in fast-paced advocacy in collaboration with a diverse community.

Qualifications

• Commitment to poverty law and social justice.
• Experience with diverse communities and collaborative work style.
• Experience advocating for low-income clients in public benefits or administrative advocacy; clinic experience preferred.
• Spanish/Portuguese/Vietnamese language skills a plus.

Responsibilities

• Provide legal assistance in public benefits matters (TAFDC, EAEDC, SNAP, MassHealth).
• Represent clients in emergency shelter-related benefits and in hearings.
• Handle cases before administrative agencies and on appeal.
• Engage in community outreach and education.

Skills

Spanish fluency

Portuguese fluency

Vietnamese fluency

Poverty law interest

Education

Juris Doctor (JD) or equivalent

Job description

CWJC seeks a staff attorney to work in its Worcester office. The attorney will provide legal assistance in public benefits matters, including TAFDC, EAEDC, SNAP, and MassHealth. The attorney will also represent clients, who are often in emergency situations, seeking shelter and other benefits under the state's Emergency Assistance program and in that role will engage in high-stakes, fast-paced advocacy, including contested administrative hearings. In addition to handling cases before administrative agencies and in court on appeal, the attorney will engage in community outreach and education.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Third year law students, recent law school graduates, and more experienced attorneys are eligible to apply.
• Demonstrated commitment to poverty law and social justice work.
• Experience working with diverse communities, strong interpersonal skills, and an ability to work in a collaborative setting are important.
• Experience advocating for low-income clients seeking public benefits and/or other administrative agency advocacy experience, including law school clinical experience, preferred.
• Fluency in Spanish, Portuguese and/or Vietnamese a plus.

COMPENSATION:

• The starting salary for this position is $73,000, which is based on a union scale and adjusted upward depending on experience to a maximum of $109,000.
• CWJC has a hybrid work environment and requires advocates to work in their assigned office at least three days per week.
• CWJC offers a very generous benefits package that includes:
  • 401(k) with employer-paid contribution.
  • Low-cost health insurance (medical, dental, and vision) for employees and their dependents.
  • Malpractice insurance; paid leave (4 weeks vacation, 3 personal days, 12 sick days, and 13 holidays).
  • Student loan repayment assistance.
  • Relocation stipend.

CWJC is an Equal Opportunity Employer and strives to ensure that our staff members reflect the diversity of the communities we serve. CWJC encourages applicants from a broad range of backgrounds and experiences.