LAURA'S HOUSE
JOB DESCRIPTION
JOB TITLE : Bilingual Legal Advocate (Spanish)
REPORTS TO: Legal Advocate Director
STATUS: Non-exempt
LOCATIONS: Aliso Viejo at Domestic Violence Resource Center, Garden Grove at Domestic Violence Advocacy Center, Lamoreaux Justice Center, Additional Designated Courthouse, and Emergency Shelter
JOB SUMMARY:
The Legal Advocate is responsible for the provision of legal advocacy services at the Domestic Violence Resource Center (Aliso Viejo), Lamoreaux Justice Center (Orange), Domestic Violence Advocacy Center (Garden Grove), Emergency Shelter, and additional designated courthouse. S/he provides information and assistance with understanding, preparing and processing the legal forms necessary to obtain temporary restraining orders and also provides hearing preparation and court accompaniment, to Laura's House clients across the locations listed above. The primary accountabilities for this position are to (1) complete legal intakes and assessments; (2) provide restraining order preparation, court advocacy/accompaniment, hearing preparation, information and referral and (3) collaborate with Laura's House staff to facilitate a treatment team approach across sites.
LEGAL ADVOCACY JOB DUTIES:

1. Complete intake assessments in English and Vietnamese with Laura's House clients at the Domestic Violence Resource Center, Domestic Violence Advocacy Center, Emergency Shelter, Lamoreaux Justice Center, and additional designated courthouse.

1. Assist clients with all phases of restraining order litigation, including assessment; form preparation; filing assistance; hearing preparation; court accompaniment to hearings and follow-up tasks such as recommending appropriate attire for court, obtaining records or documents, and connecting with other services providers and justice system professionals.
2. Provide crisis intervention thorough needs assessment, comprehensive safety planning, assistance in navigating the civil justice and social services systems, systems advocacy (help clients cut through bureaucratic red tape), referrals, follow-up services, and ongoing support to victims/survivors.
3. Assist in maintaining accurate, current, and complete case files on each client.
4. Provide telephone and in-person consultations regarding domestic violence restraining orders.
5. Collaborate with immigration law organizations to help clients access immigration services including U-Visa, T-Visa and VAWA application support.
6. Supervise legal advocacy volunteers and interns as needed.
7. Enforce each site's policies and procedures.
8. Participate in community outreach to help raise awareness about domestic violence and Laura's House services.
9. Establish and maintain relationships with other agencies to better serve Laura's House clients.
10. Represent Laura's House at networking events.
11. Other duties as assigned.

ADDITIONAL JOB DUTIES:

• Enter statistical and descriptive data for contract and other reporting requirements as needed.
• Maintain client confidentiality by protecting client information and ensuring that appropriate paperwork is understood and completed by clients (e.g. consent for services forms and release of information forms when collaborating with other programs/entities).
• Maintain the confidentiality of client, staff, volunteer, and agency information. Exceptions include information pertaining to child abuse, elder abuse, danger to self or others or in response to an authorized release of information.
• Adhere to agency policies and protocols related to the security of electronic client service records. Maintain the highest levels of accuracy in record-keeping and reporting, ensuring that all client records and documentation of outreach, training, and other work tasks are complete and up-to-date and submitted to supervisor as directed.
• Maintain an up-to-date shared calendar as directed. Carry out other duties as necessary to ensure organizational success. All Laura's House staff members are encouraged to be flexible and responsive to changes in scope of duties.
• Maintain appropriate boundaries with clients and other staff.
• Represent the agency in a positive, professional manner at all times.
• Maintain a tidy, organized work area.
• Participate in agency functions as a participant or presenter as needed.
• Evening and weekend hours as needed.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

1. Bachelor's degree in social sciences, human services or related field or equivalent experience required.
2. Experience with family violence intervention, case management, and crisis intervention preferred.
3. 40-hour domestic violence training as required by law. (may be completed upon hiring)

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

1. Excellent oral and written communication skills. Oral and written fluency in English and Vietnamese preferred.
2. Adaptability and flexibility while working in a dynamic work environment.
3. Proficiency in MS Word and Outlook, as well as internet research. Comfort in computer network environment.
4. Ability to work collaboratively in an ethnically, linguistically, and culturally diverse environment.

JOB QUALIFICATIONS:

1. Valid driver's license, reliable transportation and appropriate insurance.
2. Completion of Live Scan.
3. Employee is occasionally required to stand, walk, sit, use hands to handle or feel, climb or balance, stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl, talk or hear, and taste or smell. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.

This description reflects the principal functions of the job for the purpose of job evaluation. It should not be construed as a detailed description of all work requirements of the job nor shall be construed as giving exclusive responsibility for every function described.
To apply please visit this link:
EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY
Laura's House is committed to providing a work environment that is free of discrimination. It is the policy of Laura's House to conduct our relations with employees and applicants for employment based on merit without regard to race (including traits historically associated with race, including, but not limited to, hair texture and protective hairstyles such as braids, locks, and twists), color, citizenship status, religion (all aspects of religious beliefs, observance or practice, including religious dress or grooming practices), creed, political affiliation or belief, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, age, gender (including gender identity and gender expression), gender transitioning, physical or mental disability, physical handicap, national origin (including language use restrictions and possession of a driver's license issued under Vehicle Code section 12801.9), marital status, ancestry, medical condition, genetic characteristics, genetic information, military or veteran's status, status as a victim of domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking, updating personal information based on a lawful change of name, social security number, or federal employment authorization document, Employee's receipt of public assistance (such as Medi-Cal), or any other protected status in accordance with the requirements of all Federal, State and local laws prohibiting discrimination. Company policy also prohibits unlawful discrimination based on the perception that anyone has any of those characteristics or is associated with a person who has or is perceived as having any of those characteristics. Discrimination can also include failing to reasonably accommodate religious practices or qualified individuals with disabilities where the accommodation does not pose an undue hardship.
The Company is committed to compliance with all applicable laws providing equal employment opportunities. This commitment applies to all persons involved in the operations of the Company and prohibits unlawful discrimination by any employee of the Company.
Pay discrimination between employees of the opposite sex or different race or ethnicity performing substantially similar work, as defined by the California Fair Pay Act as amended and federal law, is prohibited.