Description

Position close date: 6/10/2024

Position Summary:

The Court Advocate provides both in-person and remote services for survivors filing protection orders in Multnomah County. At the courthouse, the advocate assists survivors in filing protection orders in person, works with those referred by the courthouse or Legal Resource Center, and accompanies survivors to their ex parte or contested restraining order hearings. Additional responsibilities include offering emotional support, conducting safety and stabilization assessments, safety planning, advocacy, and system navigation for domestic violence survivors on both a short-term and ongoing basis. Preferred candidates will have lived experience or professional experience working with domestic and sexual violence survivors.

Education, Training & Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in social work, women’s/gender studies, or a related field preferred. Associates degree and one year of related experience OR high School diploma/GED and two years of relevant experience or lived experience of domestic and/or sexual violence may be substituted in lieu of 4-year degree.
• This position requires experience or willingness to learn in the following areas: networking and building community partnerships, and supportive services.
• This position requires knowledge or willingness to learn in in the following areas: courts, civil and criminal law, legal resources, law enforcement and cross-disciplinary response to domestic and sexual violence.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (Competencies):

• Knowledge of community networking and collaboration techniques.
• Knowledge of issues related to domestic and sexual violence, healthy relationships, trauma, and systemic factors contributing to these issues.
• Knowledge of the root causes of domestic and sexual violence and the intersection of injustices based on race, gender identity, sexual orientation, and ability.
• Skilled in communication, collaboration, and community networking.
• Skilled in discussing topics related to domestic and sexual violence, healthy relationships, trauma, and systemic oppression with various entities.
• Skilled in promoting an inclusive and culturally responsive environment.
• Skilled in crisis intervention techniques, including but not limited to de-escalation strategies, active listening, conflict resolution, trauma-informed care, suicide prevention, risk assessment, and collaboration with interdisciplinary teams to provide comprehensive support and intervention for individuals experiencing crises.
• Skilled in networking with community organizations and agencies, including the ability to leverage these networks to facilitate resource-sharing, coordinate outreach efforts, and advocate for community and survivor needs.
• Skilled in utilizing Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Outlook, Excel) for documentation and reporting purposes.
• Skilled with and ability to work with people of diverse backgrounds, cultures, and perspectives, including the ability to understand and respect difference and fostering an inclusive environment where all voices are valued and heard.
• Skilled in utilization of interpersonal skills, including the ability to adopt interpersonal skills to work across partnerships and business groups.
• Ability to be self-directed, multitask, pivot effectively, be flexible, prioritize daily workload, and operate calmly amidst stressful circumstances.
• Ability to work enthusiastically with individuals of diverse identities and collaborate with a wide array of community partners, including governmental and non-profit agencies.
• Ability to engage and relate respectfully with people of diverse backgrounds and ages, utilizing equitable and trauma-informed practices.

• Ability to manage priorities effectively within defined deadlines.
• Ability to work collaboratively, exercising good judgment, decision-making, and problem-solving skills to achieve shared goals.
• Ability to engage in advocacy for survivors of domestic and sexual violence by utilizing de-escalation strategies, active listening, conflict resolution, trauma-informed care, suicide prevention, risk assessment, and collaboration with interdisciplinary teams to provide comprehensive support and intervention for individuals experiencing crises..
• Ability to utilize equitable and trauma-informed practices when interacting with survivors and colleagues.
• Ability to continuously learn and adapt to evolving understandings of domestic and sexual violence and social injustices.
• Ability to maintain strict confidentiality.

Additional Eligibility Requirements:

• Ability to pass a background check.
• Ability to travel around the Portland Metro area for job related activities.
• Completion of 40-hour domestic and sexual violence advocacy training, or equivalent to be approved by the Program Director OR expectation that training will be completed within first six months of employment (provided internally).
• Completion of Assertive Engagement (AE) training, OR expectation that training will be completed after employment (provided internally).

Duties & Responsibilities:

• Responsible for meeting all Legal and Court Program component objectives stipulated by the contract(s) funding this position.
• Provide culturally specific legal and court assistance and supportive services to survivors in Multnomah County.
• Assist survivors in-person, on site in the Multnomah County Protection Order room at the Downtown Circuit courthouse. Return calls to help survivors on our Protection Order Hotline
• Provide direct support to survivors of domestic and sexual violence to include systems navigation, court accompaniment, needs assessments, linkages to community resources, danger assessments and safety planning, and other services as needed.
• Establish and maintain positive working relationships with Multnomah County Court staff and judges, Family Court Services, Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office, District Attorney’s office, community groups, social service agencies, and other partners.
• Provide case consultation to court staff and other partners to assist with case planning and cross-training.
• Provide information about crime victim rights, protective orders, prosecution, and family law legal options.
• Provide information and systems navigation in requestion Reasonable Accommodations within the Courthouse.
• Provide petitioners with logistical information on civil legal remedies, civil and criminal justice systems, appropriate community resources, and the dynamics of domestic and sexual violence.
• Work with the Legal and Court Advocacy team to provide specialized training for community partners.
• Maintain records of service provision, provide necessary statistics, and prepare reports as required by Home Free and funders.
• Co-facilitate a support group.
• Provide leadership in the identification of participant needs and development of new services across Home Free.
• Adherence to Home Free’s Ethical Communication policies and procedures.
• Cross-train and provide occasional support to Home Free’s emergency services and other staff.

Work Environment:  Travel around the Portland Metro Arrive for home visits and drop off resources as needed. Access to Home Free office space is optional and on-site work in the Multnomah County Courthouse is expected, outside of when schedule to work from the Multnomah County Courthouse, work may be be performed from an approved alternative worksite remotely on a laptop and smartphone provided by VOA Oregon. The requirements of this position are subject to change to full-time remote, returning to the office environment full-time, or alternating office and remote work. These decisions will be based on operational needs and guidance from State and local officials.

Schedule: This is a full-time position; 40 hours per week, Monday through Friday. Extended and weekend hours may be necessary on an occasional basis.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by the incumbent(s) of this job. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and activities required for this position.

Qualifications