Opportunities

Office of the Public Guardian Employment Opportunities:

In addition to offering competitive salaries, employees receive a robust benefits package including medical, dental, vision, prescription drug benefits, life insurance, and pension plan; Paid time off, including vacation, sick, personal time, and 13 paid holidays; Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program; 12-week Paid Parental Leave; and remote work opportunities.  The Office of the Cook County Public Guardian is an equal-opportunity employer.

Qualified candidates should send a resume and cover letter to Kelley A. Thornton at kelley.thornton@cookcountyil.gov

POSITION ANNOUNCEMENT

 Job Title:          Executive Assistant

 Grade:              19

 Location:         Juvenile and Adult Guardianship Divisions                     

Job Summary:    The Cook County Public Guardian serves as the court-appointed attorney and guardian ad litem for abused, neglected and/or dependent children who are wards of the court;  serves as the court-appointed guardian for adults adjudicated as persons with disabilities in the Adult Guardianship Division; and in the Domestic Relations Division, provide legal representation for children whose parents are involved in contested custody or visitation disputes.  The Executive Assistant provides support to the Public Guardian and deputies.  Duties include a broad variety of administrative tasks that facilitate the Public Guardian and deputies’ abilities to effectively lead the office, including assisting with special projects; designing and producing complex documents, reports, and presentations; collecting and preparing information for meetings with staff and outside parties; composing and preparing correspondence; maintaining contact lists; scheduling appointments or travel arrangements; handling confidential matters; and more.

Qualifications:  Bachelor’s degree in communications, business administration, business management, or a Paralegal Certificate from a program approved by the American Bar Association is strongly preferred. Must possess two (2) or more years in an executive assistant role supporting a senior level executive in confidential administrative work.   Must possess excellent professional judgment, problem solving, communication, and interpersonal skills.  Must be well-organized, detail-oriented, have the ability to handle multiple tasks, work efficiently within a fast paced environment and meet constant deadlines.  Must possess the ability to handle and resolve multi-faceted problems. Must be able to appropriately manage confidential or sensitive information. Must be able to work independently as part of an interdisciplinary team, and maintain a professional demeanor.  Proficient computer skills necessary, including abilities in the areas of spreadsheets, tables, presentations, email communication, and Microsoft Office.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

  • Provide confidential administrative assistance, such as writing and editing e-mails, drafting memos, and preparing communications.
  • Distribute office-wide emails, notices and invitations.
  • Organize meetings, including scheduling and sending reminders.
  • Handle telephone calls, correspondence, email inquiries, and other matters.
  • Manage daily calendar, including making appointments and prioritizing the most sensitive matters.
  • Maintain on-site calendars and update daily on-site schedule.
  • Maintain comprehensive and accurate records, and confidential files.
  • Conduct basic legal and other research in support of office operations.
  • Analyze, organize and summarize materials for the purposes of creating, developing, and implementing interdisciplinary policies and procedures.
  • Familiarity and proficiency in navigating and using the internet and various social media platforms.
  • Utilize a variety of data management tools to aggregate, analyze and present data gathered from multiple sources. Develop reports, correspondence, and presentations by creating, modifying and reviewing Excel spreadsheets, MS Word documents, Power Point, and other tools.
  • Light typing.
  • Process employee attendance reports as needed.
  • Process Office of the Building requests as needed.
  • Provide administrative assistance to departments as needed.
  • Organize and manage office wide projects as needed, including confidential special projects as may be directed.
  • Assist Human Resources with recruitment, hiring processes, scheduling of interviews, administrative tasks and other personnel transactions.

The above core duties are fundamental to the performance of the job.  Other duties may be assigned and/or may be necessary in the performance of the job.

POSITION ANNOUNCEMENT – AFSCME Council 31, Local 3969

Position:  Paralegal I

Salary:   AAIII  Grade 16E – $63,625 + Full Benefits

Location:  Juvenile Division

SUMMARY: Paralegals in the Juvenile Division assist attorneys by gathering and organizing information, conducting legal research, attending staffings, preparing legal pleadings and conducting client interviews. As a professional partner in the service of children, the paralegal is expected to be familiar with and perform all duties consistent with the ethical requirements as set forth in the Illinois Supreme Court Rules, Article VIII,  and Code of Professional Responsibility.  Additionally, each paralegal is expected to observe confidentiality in client matters and ensure the health, safety, and welfare of our clients.

QUALIFICATIONS:  Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.  In addition, a paralegal must hold a post-graduate certificate in Paralegal Studies from an American Bar Association-approved program or a law degree from an American Bar Association-approved Law School.  In lieu of a paralegal certificate or law degree, the paralegal must possess three (3) or more years of relevant experience as a paralegal.   Must possess excellent professional judgment, problem solving, analytical reasoning, communication, and interpersonal skills.  Must be organized, detail-oriented, have the ability to handle multiple tasks, work efficiently within a fast-paced environment and meet constant deadlines.  Must be able to work independently as part of an interdisciplinary team, and maintain a professional demeanor.  Proficient legal research and computer skills necessary, including abilities in LexisNexis, Excel, and Microsoft Office.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:  The following core duties are fundamental to the performance of the job.  Other duties may be assigned and/or may be necessary to the performance of the job.

  • Conduct legal research.
  • Prepare motions and responses.
  • Prepare subpoenas and monitor compliance.
  • Assist attorneys with all aspects of trial preparation.
  • Review and summarize documents.
  • Conduct client, caregiver, and case manager interviews, and make recommendations as needed.
  • Maintain Out-of-Area database and incarcerated clients lists.
  • Conduct and assist with periodic data audits.
  • Create and maintain client case files.
  • Review and organize discovery.
  • Attend client staffings and summarize information for assigned attorney.
  • Assist with special projects upon request.
  • Obtain documents (e.g. birth certificates, criminal records, medical records) for cases.
  • Coordinate client interviews at residential facilities, out of area placements, and correctional facilities.
  • Coordinate inter-office meetings.

WORKING CONDITIONS/PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

  • On a continuous basis, sit at a desk for long periods of time in front of a computer screen;
  • Intermittently twist to reach equipment or supplies surrounding desk;
  • Perform simple grasping and fine manipulation;
  • Strength to lift files weighing up to 20 pounds;
  • Use telephone and computer keyboard on a daily

This position requires a pre-employment drug screening and criminal background check.  Applicants are advised that as a Drug Free Workplace, use of medical or recreational marijuana is prohibited and will disqualify a candidate from employment.

Law Student Internship

(Juvenile, Adult Guardianship, and Domestic Relations Divisions & Appeals Unit)

The Juvenile and Domestic Relations Divisions, and Appeals Unit of the office welcome law clerks throughout the year to assist in representing clients from birth to age 21. Volunteers, grant recipients, and students working for credit are encouraged to apply. The law clerk program is designed to provide students with practical experience. Law clerks may request to be assigned to the Juvenile Division, Domestic Relations Division, or the Appeals Unit. Duties may include drafting motions and other court documents, legal research, appellate briefs, case preparation, interviewing witnesses and otherwise assisting experienced attorneys in advocating for children and youth. Students with a license issued pursuant to Illinois Supreme Court Rule 711 may appear in court under the supervision of a licensed attorney and receive training to interview child clients. All law clerks participate in an orientation and formal training. In addition, each law clerk receives performance evaluations. Law clerks must be enrolled in an accredited law school, possess the ability to communicate and work with attorneys and other professional staff, demonstrate excellent oral and written communication skills, and show enthusiasm and assertiveness. All internships and clerkships are unpaid. Check with your school for externships or other credit arrangements. Volunteers, grant recipients, and students working for credit may submit a cover letter and resume via email, fax, or mail to the Office of the Cook County Public Guardian, 2245 West Ogden Avenue, 4th Floor, Chicago, Illinois 60612, Attn: Law Clerk Coordinator, Law Clerk Program, opg@cookcountyil.gov, 312-433-4300, fax: 312-433-5129. Deadlines for submitting applications are November 15th for Spring clerkships, April 15th for Summer clerkships, and July 15th for Fall clerkships.

The Adult Guardianship Division of the Office of the Cook County Public Guardian offers a unique opportunity to law students. Attorneys in the Adult Guardianship Division represent the Public Guardian in his capacity as guardian of disabled adults. While attorneys primarily handle guardianship matters in the Probate Division of the Circuit Court of Cook County, they often find themselves representing the Public Guardian on behalf of disabled adults in other divisions such as Municipal, Chancery, and Domestic Relations, to name a few. As law clerks in the Adult Guardianship Division, students assist attorneys by conducting legal research, drafting memoranda, motions, and other legal pleadings, and preparing for trial or other hearings. Student law clerks are also offered the unique opportunity to accompany attorneys in the field to conduct real property inspections, visit with disabled adults at their residences, and attend meetings with other professionals working with disabled adults. A law student with a license under Supreme Court Rule 711 may appear before the court supervised by one of the Adult Guardianship attorneys. All student law clerks are provided in-house training at the start of the clerkship and are mentored by the attorneys. All internships and clerkships are unpaid. Check with your school for externships or other credit arrangements. Interested law students should submit a cover letter and resume to the Office of the Cook County Public Guardian, Attn: Legal Internship Coordinator, 69 West Washington Street, Suite 700, Chicago, Illinois 60602. Deadlines for submitting applications are November 15th for Spring clerkships, April 15th for Summer clerkships, and July 15th for Fall clerkships.

Caseworker Advocate Internship

The caseworker advocate student internship allows qualified students to assist the caseworker advocacy unit in interviewing children in order to gather information from the child’s perspective. This is a field position, requiring students to have a vehicle, a valid driver’s license, and insurance.

Psychology Student Internship

The Juvenile Division welcomes master’s and doctorate-level psychology students interested in completing a social justice practicum as part of their training through their academic program. Students interested in learning about advocacy, public service, marginalized populations, legal proceedings, and child welfare are encouraged to apply.  Internships are unpaid. Psychology students will complete a project as part of a team that aims to facilitate advocacy in meeting the needs of our clients. Interns must be enrolled in an accredited school with an educational agreement with our office, demonstrate good time management, analytical skills, and organization, and have an interest in research and passion for learning about the work with this population. Psychology students receive weekly supervision by a licensed clinical psychologist.

THE OFFICE OF THE PUBLIC GUARDIAN IS AN EQUAL-OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER