The Mental Health Project of the Urban Justice Center (MHP) seeks an attorney or paralegal experienced in Social Security advocacy to represent clients with mental illness in their claims for Social Security disability benefits.

Responsibilities include:

Working closely with our interdisciplinary team of attorneys, advocates, and social workers to represent Social Security claimants with mental illness in administrative hearings and appeals;
Interviewing new clients;
Participating in all aspects of case development and hearing preparation, including requests for medical evidence and other fact development;
Conducting trainings on SSI and SSD for mental health consumers and providers;
Supervising law, social work and undergraduate interns; and
Maintaining databases and assisting with grant renewals and reporting.

Qualifications include:

Experience representing clients in Social Security disability claims;
A thorough knowledge of Social Security benefits programs;
Excellent research and writing skills;
Excellent analytical and critical thinking skills;
Efficient and meticulous attention to detail;
Communication skills, including the ability to maintain confidentiality and to work with people living with mental illness;
Ability to work independently, to manage a high client load, to meet deadlines, and to be flexible;
Ability to work as a member of a team;
Advocacy skills, and the ability to navigate bureaucratic agencies;
Proficiency in Microsoft Word and Excel;
Proficiency in Spanish or another foreign language is preferred.

This is a bargaining unit position represented for collective bargaining purposes by the National Organization of Legal Services Workers, UAW, Local 2230.

The Urban Justice Center is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will be afforded equal employment opportunities without discrimination because of race, religion/creed, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, sexual orientation, military status, predisposing genetic characteristics, victim of domestic violence status or marital status.

How to apply

Please send a cover letter, resume, and contact information for three references to Emilia Sicilia, Director of Disability Advocacy, Urban Justice Center Mental Health Project via email: esicilia@urbanjustice.org. Please write “Social Security Advocate” in the email subject line. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, and the deadline to submit is Thursday, December 31, 2015. Due to high volume, we are unable to respond to all applicants. We will contact only those candidates selected for further consideration.