Legal Advocate

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

Lorain County Safe Harbor is a non-profit domestic violence, human service, and social change agency, providing emergency confidential shelter and a wide variety of community-based intervention, education, support, and prevention services throughout Lorain County.

Title: Legal Advocate

This is a full-time, hourly, non-exempt position that involves outreach, legal advocacy for victims to various location in the community as well as in the shelter. This position reports directly to the Manager of Justice Systems Advocacy.

Key Responsibilities:

Systemic Advocacy:

· Stay apprised of new laws and policies within courts that impact victims of domestic violence

· Promote key concepts of domestic violence advocacy in municipal and domestic relations courts throughout Lorain County, such as victimless prosecution, harsher consequences for domestic violence offenders, fewer reductions and dismissals of domestic violence charges, higher bonds for particularly dangerous offenders, etc. The goal of this behavior should be to elicit systemic change that will improve the experience of victims who encounter the judicial system

· Communicate with all members of the judicial system before, during and after domestic violence cases regarding dynamics of domestic violence, including but not limited to concepts like lethality, reluctance of victims to engage with the criminal justice system, dangers associated with leaving a violent relationship, the Cycle of Violence, etc.

Victim Advocacy:

· Inform victims of domestic violence about their rights as the victim of a crime

· Inform victims of the VINE (Victim Information and Notification Every day) system, providing them with information about the program and assisting them in registering with VINE

· Assist victims in completing applications for the Victims of Crime Compensation Program

· Accompany clients throughout court proceedings, as each client chooses, such as pre-trial hearings, preliminary hearings, sentencing hearings, protection order hearings, and others. This includes both municipal court and common pleas court as well as domestic relations court, as needed

· Work toward ensuring the safety of clients as they appear in court, by helping them to find a location to wait during proceedings that feels safe for them

· Make appropriate referrals to all clients for outside resources, such as mental health counseling, substance abuse treatment, housing referrals, etc.

· Refer all clients to the array of Genesis House services available to them, such as shelter, support groups, the hotline, art programming for children, etc.

· Provide education to all clients about key domestic violence concepts, such as safety planning, lethality, the Cycle of Violence, warning signs of an abusive personality, the impact of domestic violence on children

General:

· Attend all staff meetings and required trainings

· Attend at least two Legal Advocacy Caucus meetings organized by the Ohio Domestic Violence Network each year

· Attend and contribute to the organization and carrying out of agency events and fundraisers

· Maintain statistical records, submitting monthly reports as requested by the agency

· This position involves some time in various courts in the community, as well as some time in the shelter

· The staffing needs of the shelter are always the priority of the agency. Therefore, there may be times when Legal Advocates are required to provide coverage for the shelter or perform other duties for the shelter that take precedence over court coverage

· Be knowledgeable and prepared to carry out all duties of a Shelter Advocate, consisting of:

In-House Responsibilities:

· Conduct in-house intake interviews

· Linkage duties including needs assessment, goal setting, and goal evaluation

· Make referrals and advocating for clients regarding securing appropriate services and resources for mental health services and social services

· Facilitate peer group sessions

· Individual case management

Crisis Telephone Responsibilities:

· Crisis support and linkage with Emergency Stabilization Services

· Provision of information and referrals including linkage to mental health and social service agencies

· Conduct telephone intake screenings

Additional Responsibilities:

· Provide transportation to clients

· Maintenance of shelter including conducting a daily shelter tour and reporting needed repairs and/or health and safety concerns in the logbook

· Complete record keeping tasks and maintaining client’s files

· Attend all scheduled staff meetings and/or in-services

· Run agency errands, including donation pick-ups and grocery shopping

· Participate in activities that promote the agency in the community

· Other duties as assigned

Minimum Requirements:

• BA degree in social work or related field, with two years of experience, or equivalent life experience.
• Must have a valid driver’s license, reliable transportation, and insurance
• Must be able to successfully pass a background check

· Basic computer skills, including simple database usage, Microsoft Word programs, and internet research abilities

• Must be able to lift and carry items weighing up to 50 pounds
• Must be able to vary their work location according to the agency’s needs. (This variance will likely be minimal)

· Excellent written and verbal communication skills are a must

· An understanding of trauma and trauma-informed care is necessary

· Strong conflict-management skills

· An appreciation for the importance of maintaining strict confidentiality as well as strict professional boundaries

· A commitment to equality in relationships and women’s empowerment

· An understanding of and commitment to social change, with the ability to inspire and advocate for said change.

• Excellent understanding and demonstration of clear boundaries and professional conduct

Lorain County Safe Harbor is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Bi-lingual candidates are strongly encouraged to apply

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: From $18.00 per hour

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Paid sick time
• Paid time off
• Professional development assistance
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift

Work Location: In person

Salary : $18