Legal Advocate

Mankato, MN 56001

End Date 10/30/2026

• Salary Range: $54,803.00 - $65,576.00 Salary/year

Minnesota Disability Law Center: Legal Advocate / ​Compliance Reviewer

Position Type: ​Regular Full-Time​ Non-Exempt​  

Location: ​ Northern Minnesota – Preferably North of Brainerd (Remote or hybrid work)

Introduction:  

The Minnesota Disability Law Center (MDLC), a division of Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid, serves as the protection and advocacy system for people with disabilities in Minnesota. MDLC is seeking a full-time legal advocate position that will conduct compliance reviews as part of MDLC’s Representative Payee Review Team. This legal advocate may live in the Northwest or North Central Minnesota, with the ability to travel across the state. All work must be performed on a secure laptop issued by the Social Security Administration (SSA). This position will also require extensive travel and frequent in-person interviews with payees and beneficiaries. Pre-approved travel and mileage costs will be reimbursed. The applicant must have a dependable automobile, valid driver’s license, and current liability insurance. Position is contingent on passing an extensive SSA background check.  

What’s in it for you?  

• We believe in work-life harmony. This role offers the flexibility to blend remote work with in-office collaboration.   

• On Fridays, the office closes at noon and employees enjoy a half-day of paid flex time.  

• MMLA provides on-the-job training and mentorship, with opportunities for growth within the organization.    

Why MMLA?  

• We’re not just ticking boxes. We’re genuinely committed to diversity. Bring your unique identity, experiences, and perspectives—we want them all!  

• Our mission? Equal justice for all. In your cover letter, tell us how your background can amplify this cause. Let’s change our lives together.  

• Discrimination and harassment have no place here. We’re building a respectful, supportive workplace where everyone thrives.  

MDLC’s Representative Payee Review Team

You will join our Rep Payee Review Team that is responsible for completing in-person onsite reviews of representative payee’s activities and financial records. This project monitors the payees’ compliance with SSA policy and uncovers any instances of exploitation or financial abuse. SSA selects representative payees for a periodic reviews while some reviews are assigned in response to allegations or concerns about performance, compliance or suitability.

Purpose of the Job

The Rep Payee Review Team is looking for self-motivated legal advocate who will conduct compliance reviews to protect SSA beneficiaries, strengthen accountability, and advance MDLC’s mission. Working closely with MDLC staff and attorneys, this position will be responsible for the reviews and investigations of Social Security Administration (SSA) representative payees to ensure compliance with legal standards and SSA policies and to uncover and correct any misuse, mismanagement, or fraud of beneficiary SS benefit income. 

This position will work in a hybrid environment with travel throughout Minnesota required. This position will investigate money management practices and report findings that will result in lasting programmatic improvements to the way SSA beneficiary income is managed by representative payees. Ultimately, success in this role means consistently delivering high-quality investigative work.

In addition to conducting compliance reviews/investigations of representative payees, our legal advocate/rep payee reviewers are valued members of a team that offers education, advocacy, resources and referrals to rep payees and to vulnerable populations from diverse cultural backgrounds.

Responsibilities:  

Essential functions are the job responsibilities an employee must be able to perform. Essential job functions include:

Investigations:

• Conduct site reviews and investigations as requested by the Social Security Administration (SSA) and directed by MDLC, following SSA case processing guidelines. These reviews require review and analysis of financial documents, interviews of beneficiaries and rep payees, and confidential management of protected data.

• Develop corrective action plans to assist representative payees to conform to requirements specified by the SSA. This corrective action plans should provide practical, respectful guidance to representative payees to help them achieve compliance and improve their financial management practices.

• Provides referrals to help the SSA beneficiaries and others gain access to alternative advocacy agencies, legal services or other resources.

• Prepares comprehensive and accurate reports detailing the representative payee review using approved SSA forms, citing deficiencies, notifications, issues, and referrals. These reports must be submitted to SSA for final review within a timely manner.

• Applies the principles of Legal Aid’s Racial Justice Values Statement in all work-related business and interactions   

• Performs other responsibilities as assigned 

Community-Based Advocacy:

• Prepare written materials and conduct outreach to, and education and training of, consumers, community groups, advocates and others, particularly those from traditionally underserved communities on issues pertaining to their rights as SSA beneficiaries and the duties of their rep payee.

• When travelling throughout the state for rep payee reviews, this position will also engage in voting rights outreach and education for people with disabilities.

Qualifications:  

• This position must be able to obtain a Level V moderate risk public trust government clearance by the United States Government Office of Personnel Management

• A minimum of two years previous investigation, program audit, disability service program supervision or case management experience is required. This experience should demonstrate attention to detail including confidentiality and contemporaneous record-keeping.

• High school diploma or general education degree (GED); plus 3 years related experience and/or training; Associate’s Degree (AA) in related subject may substitute for 2 years’ experience.

• Knowledge of federal and state disability benefits and service programs (i.e. Social Security Disability Insurance and Supplemental Security Income), housing, employment, or wage laws.

• Demonstrated functional knowledge in basic accounting principles and terminology.

• Good communication skills, both verbal (phone, TEAMs & in person) and written (email, letters, teams & reporting in SSA database),

• Excellent organizational skills, attention to detail, and ability to maintain and manage large amounts of records 

• Ability to meet case processing deadlines such as completing and filing paperwork, record keeping, and submission of records into the SSA database 

• Ability to work independently and as part of a team 

• Strong interpersonal skills, empathy, and cultural competency to work effectively with individuals from diverse backgrounds including people with disabilities

• Experience conducting interviews of individuals with disabilities, including cognitive or mental health disabilities, and gathering relevant information from multiple sources, including documents and witnesses.

• Experience working with individuals with disabilities, including individuals with cognitive, developmental, and/or mental health disabilities.

• Access to reliable transportation is required 

• Valid Driver’s License and current liability insurance required    

• Proficiency using Microsoft Windows and Office is required, including Excel 

• Extensive travel (weekly) is required, including possibly overnight trips across Minnesota 

• Experience conducting compliance reviews, investigations, audits, and/or financial reviews

Preferred Qualifications:  

• Second language ability, particularly Spanish, ASL, or Somali, is a plus  

• Diverse economic, social, or cultural experiences are a plus   

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, and Other Characteristics

Knowledge

• Knowledge of federal disability benefits programs, including Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI), or the ability to learn applicable program requirements.

• Knowledge of basic accounting principles, financial recordkeeping, and document review practices.

• Knowledge of confidentiality requirements and the handling of sensitive or protected information.

• Knowledge of disability rights, equal access, and person-centered services.

Skills & Abilities

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, including Word, Excel, Outlook, and Teams.

• Strong written communication skills, including the ability to prepare accurate reports, correspondence, and case documentation.

• Strong investigative, analytical, and problem-solving skills.

• Effective interpersonal skills and the ability to build professional relationships with beneficiaries, representative payees, colleagues, and community partners.

• Ability to organize, maintain, and review large volumes of information and records with attention to detail.

• Ability to gather and analyze information from interviews, records, and other sources to reach well-supported conclusions.

• Ability to manage multiple assignments, prioritize work, and meet established deadlines.

• Ability to maintain accurate, timely, and confidential records.

• Ability to communicate effectively with individuals from diverse backgrounds, including individuals with disabilities, using a variety of communication methods.

• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively as part of a team.

• Ability to provide education, guidance, referrals, and resources in a respectful and culturally responsive manner.

• Ability to travel throughout Minnesota to conduct in-person reviews, investigations, and outreach activities.

Other Characteristics

• Commitment to the mission of Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid and the Minnesota Disability Law Center.

• Demonstrated cultural humility and commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, accessibility, and racial justice.

• Self-motivated, adaptable, and able to exercise sound judgment.

• Experience conducting investigations, audits, compliance reviews, case management, financial reviews, or similar work requiring attention to detail and accurate documentation.

• Understanding of, connection to, or experience with disability communities through professional, volunteer, educational, caregiving, family, or lived experience is valued.

Compensation Information: 

• $54,803 to $65,576 per year, depending on experience, plus benefits. Benefits include family medical and dental insurance, long-term disability, life insurance, 403(b) with employer match, FSA, employee assistance programs, and generous paid time off. 

• Salary Determination: Salary is based on relevant prior experience and aligned with our organizational salary matrix. Candidates are placed on the schedule according to years of directly related experience to ensure consistency and equity. 

• Language Proficiency Credit: For client-facing roles (e.g., attorneys, legal assistants, intake staff), fluency in a relevant non-English language or ASL may count as one additional year of experience. Fluency must be certified at Intermediate High or above, with sufficient oral and written skills to perform all job duties without an interpreter. Assessment is conducted by an external testing service. 

• Language Requirement (if applicable): If a role requires fluency in a specific language or ASL, candidates must achieve a certified rating of Intermediate High or above in both oral and written communication. Offers are contingent on meeting this standard; failure to do so may result in withdrawal of the offer. 

Application Submission: 

Interested candidates should submit their resume and cover letter at https://mylegalaid.org/employment by 10/30/2026. 

If the above link directed you to our Career Page and you do not see the correct posting, we have paused or ended the application submission window.  

If you require a reasonable accommodation for completing this application, interviewing, or otherwise participating in our employee selection process, please contact Megan Cook at mcook@mylegalaid.org.  

Please direct all other inquiries to hiring@mylegalaid.org.  

Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid is an Equal Opportunity employer. The terms and conditions of employment, including wages, benefits, and job security, may vary based on union status. Positions within our organization may be governed by collective bargaining agreements and union representation, while others are not.