General Information

Compensation and Hours

Job Description

Title: Legal Advocate
Supervised by: Program Services Manager
Salary: Non-Exempt
Position Summary: The Legal Advocate position is a full-time position that assists with screening,
crisis intervention and safety planning for victims of domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking
(DV/SA/ST) and the coordination of community resources. Provides court advocacy by assisting
program participants in the civil protective order process through assistance with the completion of
documents and court accompaniment for civil hearings. This position requires an ability to work closely
and represent AWAIC professionally with individuals in the Alaska Court System including Magistrates,
Judges, Attorneys, and Court Staff.

Essential Functions include and are not limited to:

• Program Implementation
o Adhere to all AWAIC Policies and Procedures and remain current on updates and changes.
o Implement policies, protocols, and services designed to provide legal advocacy and support
services to victims of DV/SA/ST including the development of creative strategies for
detecting, intervening, and preventing domestic violence and child victimization.
o Maintain accurate participant records including statistical information and summary of
contacts according to AWAIC Confidentiality Policy, AWAIC Program Policies and Procedures,
and grant requirements.
o Complete all statistical tracking within established timelines.

• Direct Services
o Facilitate the provision of consistent, exceptional service to all AWAIC program participants.
o Provide crisis intervention, individual support, information, and internal/external service
referrals victims of DV/SA/ST.
o Increase victims' safety including individual safety planning.
o Educate program participants about the civil and criminal justice system including
support/coordination with the Anchorage Police Department (APD), the Municipality of
Anchorage Department of Law (MOA/LAW), and the Alaska Court System, Violent Crimes
Compensation Board (VCCB) and other related agencies as needed.
o Provide court advocacy by assisting program participants in the civil protective order
process through assistance with the completion of documents and court accompaniment for
both civil and criminal hearings.
o Advocate on behalf of program participants with community agencies to establish rapport
and cooperation.
o Develop and maintain a trusting, empowering relationship with the program participant that
supports the program participant’s goal plan.
o Be proactive and effective in de-escalation of crisis situations.

• Training/Outreach
o Conduct presentations and training to community organizations regarding AWAIC services,
DV/SA/ST as directed.
o In coordination with the Alaska Network on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault,
participate in the training of Legal Advocates across the state and offer technical assistance
via phone and e-mail.
o Represent AWAIC at various community meetings as directed.
o Attend and contribute in all required staff meetings and actively participate in the training of
new staff, volunteers, and interns. Provide supervisory support to volunteers and interns as
directed by supervisor.

• Other
o Remain current on all Federal and Alaska State laws affecting victims of DV/SA/ST, including
but not limited to: confidentiality, child custody, divorce, Immigration/Naturalization, civil
protective orders, and basic criminal procedure.
o Remain updated on current information in the field of DV/SA/ST through research,
workshops and training opportunities.
o Acknowledge the diversity reflected in the AWAIC program population and demonstrate a
commitment to cultural competency.
o Adhere to AWAIC model of ethical communication to include addressing conflict and
establishing boundaries.
o Act as the liaison between the Alaska Network on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault
Legal Advocacy Project (LAP) and AWAIC programs and participants to include training
AWAIC staff on referral process and protocols and acting as the single point of contact for
the LAP.
o Consistent and dependable attendance.
o Other duties may be assigned as needed.

The above noted job description is not intended to describe, in detail, the multitude of tasks that may be assigned
but rather to the associate a general sense of the responsibilities and expectations of his/her position. As the
nature of business demands change so, too, may the essential functions of this position.

Required Job Qualifications