LEGAL AID STAFF ATTORNEY BENEFITS UNIT (CWJC)

Central West Justice; Worcester (MA); Hybrid; USD 73,000 - 109,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) with employer-paid contribution

Health insurance (medical, dental, and

Job summary

Central West Justice in Worcester, MA seeks a staff attorney for the Benefits Unit to handle public benefits matters such as TAFDC, EAEDC, SNAP, and MassHealth. The attorney will also represent clients in emergencies, attend hearings, and engage in outreach and education to advance social justice.

The role requires collaboration in a hybrid work environment with in-office presence at least three days per week, and offers a generous benefits package including retirement, health coverage, and loan

Qualifications

• Commitment to poverty law and social justice.
• Experience advocating for low-income clients in public benefits.
• Spanish/Portuguese/Vietnamese language skills a plus.

Responsibilities

• Handle cases before administrative agencies and in court on appeal.
• Engage in community outreach and education.
• Represent clients seeking shelter and other benefits under Emergency Assistance program.
• Engage in high-stakes, fast-paced advocacy and hearings.

Skills

Poverty law

Public benefits

Collaboration

Diversity experience

Language skills

Education

Law degree eligibility

Job description

LEGAL AID STAFF ATTORNEY BENEFITS UNIT (CWJC)

370 Main Street, Worcester, MA 01608

CWJC seeks a staff attorney to work in its Worcester office. The attorney will provide legal assistance in public benefits matters, including T AFDC, 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.