Full-time Receptionist/Administrative Assistant

Notice of Job Posting

Full-time Receptionist/Administrative Assistant

Summary

Uptown People’s Law Center (UPLC) is hiring a reception/administrative assistant to answer phones, greet visitors and clients at the front desk, and provide administrative support to the legal team and management staff. Responsibilities include a broad range of important administrative tasks which are vital to keeping UPLC operating efficiently. Salary range is $50,000 to $60,000, depending on experience.

Responsibilities

This individual will regularly interact with UPLC clients and community members in-person and on the phone as they seek legal assistance and schedule appointments with staff. They will answer the phones, and return voicemails within 48 hours. They will work with UPLC’s social worker to understand the social service landscape in Chicago and provide accurate referrals to folks we are unable to assist. They will also work with the outreach team to identify groups and sites which would benefit from and be interested in hosting UPLC’s outreach programs. Additionally, they will assist with UPLC’s efforts to enhance use of technology and data tracking systems.

Administrative tasks will include scheduling prison telephone calls and visits, ordering office supplies, managing outreach materials, packaging and sending individual and mass mailings, paperwork filing, general office organization, data entry, and other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

This is an entry level position. However, some experience performing administrative tasks in a professional office environment,  as an intern, work study, or a volunteer is preferred.
Incredibly detail-oriented, with strong organizational and project management skills, and ability to juggle multiple priorities.
Fluency in Spanish is strongly preferred.
Computer skills including at least intermediate knowledge of Microsoft Word and Excel, and the ability to adapt to new technologies quickly and effectively.
Strong verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to communicate effectively with diverse audiences.
Ability to work with clients who have experienced trauma and/or crisis.
Cross-cultural competencies and self-awareness around issues of power, privilege, and difference.
Flexibility, and ability to work independently with little supervision, or collaborate with others as needed.
All UPLC employees must be fully vaccinated and boosted against COVID, with exceptions as provided by law.
Required Hours

Generally, the work hours are Monday through Thursday, 9:30am to 5:00 pm, and Friday 9:30 – 2:00, approximately 35 hours per week, with 30 minute lunch breaks. However, there is some flexibility, depending on the applicant’s schedule. While there may be very limited opportunities for some remote work days, this role should be viewed as 100% in-person, due to the nature of the receptionist position.

Organization Background

Uptown People’s Law Center is a nonprofit legal clinic located on the North Side of Chicago. Our work is focused on three areas: representing disabled people who have been denied Social Security disability benefits; representing tenants who are facing eviction, or other issues relating to their tenancy; and representing prisoners in civil rights lawsuits.

UPLC offers an entrepreneurial environment with a small staff of kind people who are passionate about their work. The dress code is casual (but still presentable to clients and the public) and we are conveniently located a short walk from the Wilson Red Line stop.

UPLC has a 45 year history of commitment to engaging with social justice work, and values the diversity of perspectives its workers can bring to the table. We have begun working to formalize our commitment to diversity/equity/inclusion and to integrate it more explicitly into our work and office culture. We look forward to this position’s input and participation in that work.

In addition, we as an office have extensive experience providing accommodations as necessary in order to establish equity in our working environment. If you are interested in discussing accommodations for this position or for the interview process, please feel free to include your query with your application. We do not require a disclosure of disability in order to extend an accommodation.

To Apply

Send a cover letter and resume to hiring@uplcchicago.org, and include “Receptionist/Administrative Assistant” in the subject line. Job is posted August 5, 2024 and is available until filled. Please, no phone calls, visits, or social media contact regarding the position.

Salary depends on experience and starts at $50,000/year. UPLC provides up to $400 a month towards health benefits (depending on personal costs, and untaxed if you get BCBS insurance through UPLC), as well as 2% of your salary to a Simple IRA, and generous paid time off to its employees, including office closure the week between Christmas and the New Year.

UPLC is proud to be an equal opportunity employer, and as an organization committed to diversity and the perspective of all voices, we strongly encourage applications from people of color, LGBTQ folks, people with disabilities. Because of our extensive work with people in prison, people with lived experience with the criminal justice system are encouraged to apply. Staff members are chosen on the basis of ability without regard to race, color, religion, ethnicity, sex, age, national origin, veteran status, disability, HIV status, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression, national origin, or prior record of arrest or conviction, in accordance with federal and state law.