Anishinabe Legal Services is seeking a full-time Paralegal/Non-Attorney
Legal Advocate to provide civil legal assistance to Native Americans members of
the Leech Lake, White Earth and Red Lake Bands and/or people who reside on or
near those Reservations.
BACKGROUND: Anishinabe Legal
Services (ALS) is a Legal Services Corporation (LSC) funded 501(c)(3)
organization providing free legal assistance and court representation to
low-income individuals living on or near the Leech Lake, White Earth, and Red
Lake Reservations in Northern Minnesota. Most of our staff resides in Bemidji,
MN or Walker, MN and the surrounding communities.
RESPONSIBILITIES: ALS is
looking for an advocate to provide direct service legal assistance such as, but
not limited to, filling out forms and writing basic wills to low-income Native
Americans in our service region, under the supervision of an attorney, and to
give presentations on topics of interest to elders in our communities. This position will be housed out of our main
administrative office located in Cass Lake, Minnesota. Cass Lake is close to Bemidji, Minnesota and
Walker, Minnesota. This advocate will be
expected to work out of the Cass Lake office (non-remote position).
Primary duties will
include handling a wide variety of civil forms such as, but not limited to,
basic wills, delegation of parental authority forms, on-line self-help forms,
administrative forms, etc. Other duties
include basic advice on dealing with debt and assisting the elderly and
disabled individuals with dealing with other care-providing agencies,
businesses, and government agencies. The
advocate will also be required to participate in outreach activities ensuring
successful advocacy for clients including preparing newsletter articles and
networking with other agency providers.
We require at least a
two-year advanced degree in any field but would prefer one related to the legal
profession such as a Paralegal degree.
In the alternative, a four-year college degree in social work,
psychology, pre-law or Native American studies.
QUALIFICATIONS: Qualified
applicants must possess strong oral and written communication skills,
negotiation skills, and the ability to handle a large caseload throughout a
wide geographic service area. Applicants
must also be able and willing to work efficiently and effectively as part of a
team. 0+ years of experience are welcome
to apply.
Prior experience or
education regarding working within Indian Country and/or Native Americans is preferred,
but not required. Native Americans are
highly encouraged to apply. Enrolled members
of Leech Lake, White Earth and Red Lake may be eligible to practice law in
their respective Tribal Court without a law degree. EEO, M/F/H.
All applicants are
expected to have a valid driver’s license, insurance, and automobile.
COMPENSATION: $39,000/yr.+
D.O. experience and education. Generous
benefit package for individual and families, including health and dental
insurance, paid time off, paid holiday leave, and life insurance. We allow flexible scheduling of our 37.5 hour
full time work week.
TO APPLY: Please email a
cover letter, resume, and three (3) references to ALS Executive Director Cody
Nelson, at: cnelson@alslegal.org. Deadline for applications is September 30,
2022. Position is open until filled.
