General Summary:

Responsible for assisting clients with navigation of the legal and judicial system. The Legal Advocate’s direct service responsibilities include providing support, information, advocacy, and court accompaniment to victims of domestic violence and sexual assault. The Legal Advocate is not a lawyer and does not give legal advice.

Essential Functions:

General Duties:

• Provides trauma-informed care practices into service provision for all clients.
• Attend daily Domestic Violence charging conferences, at the District Attorney’s office.
• Assist clients with safety planning, identifying options, and problem solving with a priority on completing and filing paperwork for obtaining a restraining order and providing service representation at injunction hearings.
• Completes client intakes and maintains accurate program paperwork and documentation in paper files and within Osnium according to agency procedures and timelines.
• Provides support answering FRIENDS, Inc.’s 24/7 crisis line providing support and resources.
• Attends Sexual Assault Charging Conferences in conjunction with SA Advocate (rotate as able)
• Maintain positive relationships with community partners (District Attorney, Clerk of Courts, and Judiciary).
• Maintain working knowledge of the legal system, and be able to explain to clients in a trauma informed way their options and resources.
• Provides crisis intervention, advocacy, and case management to community domestic violence and sexual assault clients.
• Responds to requests for the Safe At Home Program.
• Assist with reporting requirements, including tracking and gathering program statistics, providing success stories, and written summaries related to the programs/clients.
• Attend committee meetings, both internal and external, as requested.
• Attend and participate in all staff meetings, coordinator meetings, shelter meetings, and weekly one-one ones with Program Director.
• Supports and attends all FRIENDS, Inc. special events and functions including internal committees.
• Represents FRIENDS, Inc. in a positive manner.
• Other duties as assigned.

Additional Duties Specific to Sexual Violence:

• Participates in a rotation of daytime coverage for the SANE program and CAC (Child Advocacy Center) calls, along with other agency staff.
• Participates in a rotation of after-hours coverage for the SANE program, along with other agency staff.

Minimum Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Required:

• Requires a level of knowledge acquired through the completion of a bachelor’s degree in Human Services, Criminal Justice, or related field OR a combination of relevant education and employment required.
• Bi-Lingual Spanish (spoken and written) fluency preferred.
• Knowledge of domestic and sexual violence dynamics, the trauma-informed service provision framework, legal system and the rights of victims in the civil court procedures.
• Strong self-motivation and organizational skills to manage a variety of diversified tasks in a timely manner.
• Ability to maintain the highest level of confidentiality.
• Ability to work flexible hours.
• Maintains a high degree of professionalism with sound judgment.
• Ability to work well in a team or independent environment.
• Working knowledge of all Microsoft Office products.
• Valid driver’s license and insurance.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $42,000.00 - $44,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Monday to Friday
• Weekends as needed

People with a criminal record are encouraged to apply

Work Location: In person