SA/DV Court Advocate

Title: Court Advocate and Volunteer Advocate Coordinator

Hours: Mon-Fri, 8 am to 5 pm

Status: Full-time40 hours

Location: Jacksonville NC

Wage: $15-17 per hour

Supervisor: Executive Director

Job Summary
This position requires a compassionate individual dedicated to advocating for the rights and well-being of vulnerable populations while navigating complex legal systems. The SA/DV Court Advocate plays a critical role in supporting individuals affected by sexual assault and domestic violence. This position involves providing advocacy, support, and resources to clients navigating the legal system. The advocate will work closely with clients to ensure they understand their rights and options while offering emotional support during court proceedings and related processes. A portion of this role is dedicated to coordinating the sexual assault volunteers.

About Onslow Victims Center:

OWC provides crisis intervention to victims of domestic violence (DV), sexual assault (SA), human trafficking (HT) and a mission to end all forms of interpersonal violence through education and prevention. OVC provides advocacy, case management, community outreach and education, and emergency shelter. Our advocates provide a broad focus on all potential elements of victimization through crisis intervention, identify and respond to cognitive distortions, explore coping with symptoms, provide information, options, resources, explanation of systems and how to interface, and provide psychoeducation about sexual assault and Intimate Partner Violence. Advocates respond to the hospital for sexual assault cases, accompaniment to court, and support the shelter clients. The shelter is intended to be temporary based on emergent and imminent danger for all genders and their children. Additionally, OVC owns and operates a robust Thrift Store called Finders Keepers where all proceeds support the mission of serving survivors.

Responsibilities (but not limited to the following):

Advocacy (85%)

General

• Direct service with clients

• Provide crisis intervention and emotional support to clients experiencing trauma related to sexual assault or domestic violence via telephone, virtual, in-person, in-hospital

• Maintain accurate records of client interactions and case progress while adhering to confidentiality standards.

• Provide information, options and facilitate access to resources such as counseling, shelter, and legal assistance.

• Explanation of systems and how to access

• Provide psychoeducation about sexual assault and intimate partner violence

• Safety Planning

• Participate in community collaborative meetings

• Participate in ongoing training and professional development and maintain best practice

Court Specific

• Assist clients in understanding legal processes, including family law and child protective services

• Engage in conflict management strategies to help clients navigate challenging situations effectively

• Assist with 50B DV Protection Order, Ex Parte, no-contact order applications

• Accompaniment: Court and/or law enforcement meeting

• Communication and support client throughout the process of a legal action.

• Develop and maintain good working relationships with legal, law enforcement, staff, volunteers, and other agencies providing services to clients in need

• Collaborate with law enforcement, military, social services, and other community organizations to ensure comprehensive support for clients

Sexual Assault Volunteer Coordination (15%)

• Coordinate volunteer advocate monthly on-call schedule,

• Communicate updates to volunteer advocates

• Coordinate new advocate training dates

• chart audits, debrief with each advocate after case, resource person for advocates.

• During business hours, respond to the hospital when a SA Crisis call comes in

• Maintain and communicate best practice for SA advocates

Qualifications:

• Language: English, prefer bilingual

• Past experience preferred

• Complete NCCADV/NCCASA/OVC TTAC approved advocacy training within 30 days of start

• Critical thinking in a fast-paced environment

• Effective written and verbal communication skills

• Strong emotional intelligence and professionalism

• Ability to work with difficult subject matter and traumatized clients

• Knowledgeable of the dynamics of domestic violence/sexual assault and be able to respond appropriately in crisis situations

• Understanding of trauma informed practices

• Must be capable of working collaboratively with others within the agency and community partners

• A four-year degree in human service related (or comparable) field is preferred.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $15.00 - $17.00 per hour

Benefits:

• Health insurance
• Paid time off

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift

Work Location: In person

Salary : $15 - $17