Senior Paralegal

About the role

Posting number: 03132 Department: Veterans Assistance Commision Job classification: Senior Paralegal Posting type: Open Categories: Legal Summary Veterans Assistance Commission of Lake County (VACLC) is seeking an experienced and highly qualified legal support professional to serve as a Senior Paralegal (SPL). The SPL provides legal research, case-development, document-preparation, and administrative support for veterans benefits, appeals, agency compliance, military discharge upgrades, and other assigned matters. Applicants must upload a copy of their DD-214 (Member 4) confirming Honorable Discharge from the United States Armed Forces, all applicable professional licenses, accreditations, certifications, educational credentials, please provide with resume. The SPL reports to Executive Leadership for supervision, work assignments, priorities, quality control, and related administrative matters. The position supervises the day-to-day operations of Paralegals (PLs) through communication, delivery of services, and assistance. The successful candidate must demonstrate discretion, confidentiality, professionalism, analytical ability, attention to detail, legal research skills, and the ability to manage multiple competing deadlines. The position performs work in support of authorized personnel and does not independently provide legal advice or act as an attorney unless separately licensed and authorized to do so. Examples of duties The SPL will provide legal research, case-development, document-preparation, administrative, and staff-support services, including but not limited to: Research applicable statutes, regulations, Department of War (DOW) and Veterans Administration (VA) guidance, precedential decisions, Illinois law, and other authoritative sources relevant to assigned matters. Review claims and appeal records to identify factual issues, evidentiary gaps, procedural concerns, deadlines, and matters requiring additional development. Draft legal and administrative memoranda, issue summaries, appeal arguments, hearing outlines, correspondence, and supporting documents for review by authorized staff. Review documents for factual accuracy, completeness, grammar, citations, formatting, consistency, and professionalism. Track assigned deadlines, appeal periods, evidence windows, follow-up items, and suspense dates within established procedures. Assist Executive Leadership and Veteran Service Officers (VSOs) with special projects, policy research, training materials, records review, and administrative initiatives. Maintain organized case files, research materials, templates, citations, records, correspondence, and supporting documentation. Execute implementation of procedures, case-management systems, and research resources. Identify barriers to timely case development or completion of assigned work and promptly communicate them to supervisory staff. Coordinate with government agencies, medical providers, community partners, clients, and other authorized sources to obtain records as directed. Client and Case Support Manage assigned research, document-preparation, case-development tasks, deadlines, and workflow priorities. Maintain regular communication with assigned VSOs and supervisory staff regarding case status, client concerns, missing evidence, and follow-up needs. Follow established legal-support, administrative, confidentiality, records-management, and quality-control standards. Assist with structured client interviews and evidence development as directed. Receive, review, organize, and process client documents and records. Support client appointment preparation, hearing preparation, and follow-up coordination. Receive and comprehend significant policy alerts from the VA, National Veterans Legal Services Program (NVLSP), NACVSO, and IACVAC. Explain procedures, evidence requests, scheduling, and administrative processes within the scope of the position. Protect confidential, privileged, sensitive, and identifiable client information. Review incoming records for completeness, relevance, dates, and organization, and identify potential missing evidence for follow-up. Refrain from independently providing legal advice, promising outcomes, or representing a client beyond the authority granted to the position. Staff and Organizational Support Supervise, train, and provide feedback to subordinate Paralegals (PLs) regarding research methods, document organization, citation practices, and case-development procedures. Participate in onboarding, orientation, continuing education, and training as assigned. Report recurring legal, procedural, workflow, or training concerns to supervisory staff. Provide supervision, training, and feedback for the rewarding and disciplining of subordinate PLs. Serve on committees, liaison assignments, or other collateral duties as directed. Assist with community outreach, education, and communication of services, mission, and programs. Support research or information for the Annual Governor’s report, educational activities, agency coordination, and approved public information. Data, Confidentiality, and Decision-Making Responsibilities Research, interpret, organize, and summarize legal, medical, procedural, and administrative information that may affect services or individual client matters. Protect physical and electronic case files, records, credentials, equipment, and confidential information from loss, unauthorized access, or misuse. Exercise tact, discretion, and sound judgment when addressing confidential, sensitive, adversarial, or legally significant matters. Recognize that research errors, missed deadlines, inaccurate summaries, mishandling of records, confidentiality breaches, or failure to follow procedures may affect client benefits, due process, agency operations, or public trust. Additional Information This job posting is based on the Senior Paralegal Position Description and is intended to present the position in the format and style of the Veterans Assistance Commission of Lake County’s Veteran Service Officer In-Charge job posting. Duties, responsibilities, programs, and activities may change, or new ones may be assigned. Qualifications Applicants should possess: An associate or bachelor’s degree in paralegal studies, or a related field, is preferred. Relevant combination of education and experience may be considered. Prior paralegal, legal assistant, veterans-benefits, claims, appeals, government, records-review, or legal-research experience is preferred. Three years of successful management or leadership experience. Knowledge of basic veterans-benefits claims and appeals processes, legal terminology, and administrative due-process concepts. Understanding of military customs, culture, terminology, and veterans-benefit programs. Knowledge of legal research methods, source verification, and citation practices. Ability to prepare professional legal and business correspondence. Familiarity with modern office technology, electronic records systems, and legal research resources. Knowledge of administrative and legal practices applicable to local, State, and Federal frameworks. Strong analytical, organizational, written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills. Required Licenses, Accreditations, and Training The selected candidate must obtain and maintain all required professional credentials and training, including: VA Office of General Counsel (OGC) Accreditation with an active Personal Identity Verification (PIV) card. County background check and completion or maintenance of OMA, FOIA, HIPAA, Notary, and other required training or credentials. Continuing Legal Education (CLE), as appropriate. Attendance at Illinois Association of County Veterans Assistance Commissions (IACVAC) conferences and NACVSO annual conference. Document security, retention, and destruction requirements established by the VA and Illinois State Archivist. County policy requirements. Successful completion of a background check as required by the VA. Annual Document and Client Security Training as required by the VA. Supplemental information The position requires considerable discretion, confidentiality, professionalism, analytical ability, attention to detail, legal research skills, and the ability to manage multiple competing deadlines. The position may require coordination with local, State, and Federal agency officials; Military and Veteran Service Organizations; legal resources; advocacy groups; medical providers; community partners; and the public. The position performs primarily light office work involving standing or walking some of the time, exerting up to 20 pounds of force on a regular basis, and moderate dexterity in operating office equipment. The position requires normal visual acuity and field of vision, hearing, and speaking abilities. Reasonable accommodations will be provided to qualified individuals with disabilities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. VACLC is an Equal Opportunity Employer.