LEGAL AID STAFF ATTORNEY BENEFITS UNIT CWJC (Worcester)

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

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) with employer-paid contribution

Low-cost health insurance (medical, &d

Malpractice insurance

Paid leave

Job summary

CWJC in Worcester seeks a staff attorney to provide legal services in public benefits matters, including TAFDC, EAEDC, SNAP, and MassHealth. The attorney will represent clients in emergency situations seeking shelter and other benefits and will participate in fast-paced advocacy, including administrative hearings and appeals.

The role involves handling cases before agencies and in court, engaging in community outreach and education, and collaborating with a team in a hybrid work setting.

Qualifications

• Eligibility includes third year students, new graduates, and experienced attorneys.
• Commitment to poverty law and social justice.
• Experience with diverse communities and collaborative work.
• Experience advocating for low-income clients in public benefits and admin agencies; clinic experience preferred.
• Fluency in Spanish, Portuguese, or Vietnamese is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Provide legal assistance in public benefits matters (TAFDC, EAEDC, SNAP, MassHealth).
• Represent clients before administrative agencies and in court on appeal.
• Engage in community outreach and education.
• Work in Worcester office with hybrid schedule (at least three days per week).

Skills

Spanish/Portuguese/Vietnamese

Team collaboration

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.