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

Attorney

We are currently hiring licensed and pre-licensed attorneys in our Juvenile Division.

POSITION ANNOUNCEMENT

Job Title:          Attorney I

Grade:              18

Location:         Office of the Cook County Public Guardian, Juvenile Division

Salary:             $81,046      

SUMMARY: The Cook County Public Guardian represents youth in care as both their attorney and guardian ad litem.  Child Protection judges appoint the Public Guardian to promote the goals of the Juvenile Court Act and ensure the client’s safety and well-being are met by the Department of Children and Family Services and caregivers.  The Public Guardian’s advocacy extends to various areas of the law and settings.  At all times the attorney is to follow the ethical rules set forth in the Illinois Rules of Professional Conduct and relevant case law.

QUALIFICATIONS: Juris Doctor degree from an accredited law school and licensed to practice law in the State of Illinois or admitted to practice law pursuant to Supreme Court Rule 717.  Experience in public service and children’s issues. Courtroom experience preferred.  Must have excellent professional judgment and demeanor, assessment, communication, interpersonal and problem-solving skills. Must be well organized, and detail-oriented, have the ability to prioritize work, meet constant deadlines, maintain confidentiality, handle multiple tasks, and deal with situations of stress and emergency within a fast-paced environment.  Must work well independently and work as part of an interdisciplinary team.  Strong computer skills especially with Microsoft Office, Word, Excel, and video conferencing applications.

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

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

The following core duties and tasks are fundamental to the performance of the job and must be performed pursuant to office policy.  Other duties may be assigned and/or may be necessary in the performance of the job.

  1. Represent and advocate for clients competently and effectively as attorney and/or guardian ad litem.
  2. Advocate for the client’s wishes and/or best interests based on individual circumstances.
  3. Practice law ethically in accordance with the Illinois Code of Professional Responsibility and relevant case law.
  4. Prepare cases for court, hearings, or other meetings in a timely manner (e.g., initiate discovery, file appropriate pleadings, convene staffings).
  5. Demonstrate familiarity and competency with using the Illinois Code of Civil Procedure, the Juvenile Court Act, other appropriate statutes, and relevant case law for civil and administrative practice.
  6. Draft well-written and factual pleadings, correspondence, and other documents.
  7. Conduct legal research.
  8. Maintain regular and timely in-person and remote contact with clients that includes targeting an average of four field interviews per month, and assisting with out-of-area visits.
  9. Develop and maintain a working knowledge of available resources to assist clients.

Senior Investments/Ward Expense Specialist

 Job Title:          Senior Investments/Ward Expense Specialist                   

 Grade:              17 AFSCME 31, Local 3969

 Location:         Adult Guardianship Division

                           Financial Services Department

Salary:               $66,940

 

JOB SUMMARY:  The Cook County Public Guardian’s Adult Guardianship Division (OPG) serves as the court-appointed guardian for adults adjudicated as persons with disabilities by a judge in the Probate Division of the Circuit Court of Cook County. The Public Guardian’s authorities and responsibilities are bound by the Probate Act of 1975 and other relevant statutes and case law.  As guardian of the person, the Public Guardian is responsible for the personal well-being of the person with a disability.  As guardian of the estate, the Public Guardian is responsible for the finances, legal matters, and property of the person with a disability.  The Senior Investment Specialist is responsible for entering, updating, and reconciling investment records for all OPG estates including brokerage accounts, certificates of deposit, US Treasury obligations, money markets, and IRAs.  The Specialist also prepares annual reports of investment holdings and activity for auditors, responds to auditor inquiries, and conducts annual physical inspection of all savings bonds.  On the ward expense side, the Specialist analyzes, communicates, and reconciles ward expense requests and expenditures.

 

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 in the performance of the job.

  1. Reconcile investment accounts for estates including brokerage accounts, certificates of deposit, US Treasury obligations, money markets and IRAs.
  2. Provide knowledge and support regarding security values and balances to various OPG departments.
  3. Analyze and prepare reports of investment holdings and activities for all audits performed during the fiscal year.
  4. Analyze and update electronic investment records for all audits performed during the fiscal year including balancing and tracking via Panoramic Software.
  5. Assist with the auditor’s inquiries and confirmation requests.
  6. Assist as backup for Home Care and Accounts Departments payroll processing.
  7. Assist with annual 1099 tax preparation.
  8. Review and process checks daily.
  9. Manage deceased client portfolio billing and final account analysis.
  10. Attend all department meetings for the deceased client portfolio.
  11. Complete end of day reconciliation in absence of Director or Assistant Director of Financial Services.
  12. Respond promptly to calls, email, regular mail and other inquiries daily or in an otherwise timely manner.
  13. Perform all other work assigned by the Director of the Financial Services Department.
  14. Maintain open communication with home care workers and case managers to track and complete necessary ward expense requests.
  15. Managing submission of receipts by independent contract home care workers and private agencies, enters receipt information in Access database.
  16. Accurately analyzes and reconciles receipts to ensure expenditures match the ward expense budget and to balance the expense accounts.
  17. Manage and maintain timely and accurate disbursement reports and receipting documentation.
  18. Communicate timely and professionally with attorneys, supervisors, case managers, private agencies, other outside vendors as well as OPG staff.

Qualifications:

  1. A. or B.S. in Finance or Accounting from an accredited college or university. MBA or similar graduate degree preferred.
  2. Must have experience and knowledge with investment instruments.
  3. Must be proficient in data entry and have strong skills in Microsoft word and Excel.
  4. Must possess strong math aptitude and general computer and analytical skills.
  5. Must be well organized, detail-oriented, have the ability to prioritize work, meet constant deadlines, maintain confidentiality, handle multiple tasks, and deal with situations of stress and emergency within a fast-paced environment.
  6. Must have a commitment to the highest level of business and interpersonal ethics. Must be able to work independently and part of a team to meet constant deadlines.

    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 individual 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 individual 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