What are the responsibilities and job description for the Staff Attorney position at Your Safe Haven Inc?
IMMEDIATE SUPERVISOR: EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
EMPLOYMENT STATUS: EXEMPT, Full-Time
SALARY RANGE: $55,000-$60,000
Team Placement: Civil Legal Representation Program
Work Location: On-site
Program Context
The CLR Program operates in collaboration with Your Safe Haven's Domestic Violence (DV)/Sexual Assault (SA) services and follows PCADV CLR requirements and other funder standards. The CLR Staff Attorney is housed at YSH for accessibility and coordination while maintaining independent legal representation, separate legal files, and strict confidentiality boundaries consistent with the Pennsylvania Rules of Professional Conduct and PCADV standards.
Service access: Participation in advocacy services is not a condition of receiving legal representation.
This role supports YSH's stabilization priorities: reliable service delivery, disciplined documentation, strong confidentiality guardrails, and clear professional boundaries in justice-system partnerships.
Position Summary
Provide trauma-informed, survivor-centered civil legal representation to survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault in Bedford County, prioritizing matters that improve survivor safety, stability, and self-sufficiency while supporting continuous improvement in civil-system response. The CLR Staff Attorney may provide task direction to a part-time Legal Assistant, as assigned.
Core Responsibilities
Civil Legal Representation
Provide Legal Consultation And Representation In Matters Including
Protection From Abuse (PFA)
Custody/visitation, child/spousal support
Divorce
Housing/landlord-tenant
Public benefits, consumer matters
Other civil issues impacting safety and economic stability
Key Functions
Legal research; draft pleadings, motions, proposed orders, and agreements
Court/administrative representation
Survivor-centered legal counseling and safety-informed legal planning
Maintain accurate case records and separate legal files
Program Operations, Boundaries, and Reliability
Maintain strong confidentiality controls and program separation (privilege, file security, role-based access)
Follow established intake, referral, file handling, and data-entry protocols
Maintain clear calendaring, deadlines, and documentation to support consistent service delivery and audit-ready records
Use approved communication methods; avoid informal channels that compromise confidentiality or supervision
Provide task direction to the part-time Legal Assistant consistent with program separation requirements
Collaboration & Systems Work
Coordinate with YSH advocates for warm handoffs and complementary services, with survivor consent and clear ethical boundaries
Participate in STOP MDT and other systems collaborations as appropriate, sharing information only as permitted by law and ethics
Support mission integrity in court/partner settings by maintaining the distinction between independent legal representation and system-driven expectations
Identify recurring barriers and elevate them to supervisory attorneys/PCADV as appropriate
Engage in systems advocacy by working with courts, law enforcement, prosecutors, and community stakeholders to improve systemic responses to survivors.
Develop and maintain partnerships with local attorneys, bar associations, legal services organizations, and law schools to expand a network of pro bono attorneys willing to accept referrals when conflicts or capacity issues arise.
Grant Compliance & Reporting
Participate in PCADV/funder monitoring and compliance activities
Submit required data through PCADV reporting systems using de-identified/aggregate data as required
Prepare Required Reports/documentation For PCADV, PCCD, And Other Funders
Other Duties
This job description is not designed to cover all activities, duties, or responsibilities required of the employee. Duties may change as organizational needs evolve.
Work Schedule
Primarily Monday-Friday during standard business hours aligned with court operations. Occasional flexibility may be needed for court deadlines or urgent client safety needs, with advance notice whenever possible.
Training & Professional Development
Complete required victim advocacy training consistent with organizational and funder standards.
Complete continuing legal education (CLE) requirements for Pennsylvania licensure.
Pursue at least 10 hours annually of training related to trauma-informed legal practice, cultural competence, or other relevant legal topics.
Remain current on funder requirements and compliance updates.
Qualifications
Required
Licensed attorney admitted to practice in Pennsylvania
Knowledge of civil legal issues affecting DV/SA survivors
Commitment to trauma-informed, survivor-centered practice
Ability to work within a community-based victim services organization while maintaining professional independence and confidentiality boundaries
Strong documentation and file management skills
Reliable transportation and valid Pa driver's license
Act 33/34 Child Abuse Clearances
Pennsylvania State Police Criminal History
FBI Clearance
Preferred / Desirable
Familiarity with immigration relief options impacting survivors (e.g., VAWA, U visas) and/or ability to make informed referrals (e.g., PIRC) and consult PCADV resources as needed
Experience in systems advocacy or legal policy work
Ethical Expectations
Adhere to the Pennsylvania Rules of Professional Conduct
Maintain survivor confidentiality, privilege, and professional boundaries
Comply with PCADV CLR standards and reporting requirements
Support YSH's mission while preserving the independence of legal representation
Uphold Your Safe Haven's Code of Conduct (confidentiality, professionalism, boundaries, accountability)
Work Environment
This position includes primarily office-based work with occasional evening hours for meetings or organizational priorities.
Equal Opportunity Employer
Your Safe Haven, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to diversity, equity, inclusion, and culturally responsive services.
EMPLOYMENT STATUS: EXEMPT, Full-Time
SALARY RANGE: $55,000-$60,000
Team Placement: Civil Legal Representation Program
Work Location: On-site
Program Context
The CLR Program operates in collaboration with Your Safe Haven's Domestic Violence (DV)/Sexual Assault (SA) services and follows PCADV CLR requirements and other funder standards. The CLR Staff Attorney is housed at YSH for accessibility and coordination while maintaining independent legal representation, separate legal files, and strict confidentiality boundaries consistent with the Pennsylvania Rules of Professional Conduct and PCADV standards.
Service access: Participation in advocacy services is not a condition of receiving legal representation.
This role supports YSH's stabilization priorities: reliable service delivery, disciplined documentation, strong confidentiality guardrails, and clear professional boundaries in justice-system partnerships.
Position Summary
Provide trauma-informed, survivor-centered civil legal representation to survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault in Bedford County, prioritizing matters that improve survivor safety, stability, and self-sufficiency while supporting continuous improvement in civil-system response. The CLR Staff Attorney may provide task direction to a part-time Legal Assistant, as assigned.
Core Responsibilities
Civil Legal Representation
Provide Legal Consultation And Representation In Matters Including
Protection From Abuse (PFA)
Custody/visitation, child/spousal support
Divorce
Housing/landlord-tenant
Public benefits, consumer matters
Other civil issues impacting safety and economic stability
Key Functions
Legal research; draft pleadings, motions, proposed orders, and agreements
Court/administrative representation
Survivor-centered legal counseling and safety-informed legal planning
Maintain accurate case records and separate legal files
Program Operations, Boundaries, and Reliability
Maintain strong confidentiality controls and program separation (privilege, file security, role-based access)
Follow established intake, referral, file handling, and data-entry protocols
Maintain clear calendaring, deadlines, and documentation to support consistent service delivery and audit-ready records
Use approved communication methods; avoid informal channels that compromise confidentiality or supervision
Provide task direction to the part-time Legal Assistant consistent with program separation requirements
Collaboration & Systems Work
Coordinate with YSH advocates for warm handoffs and complementary services, with survivor consent and clear ethical boundaries
Participate in STOP MDT and other systems collaborations as appropriate, sharing information only as permitted by law and ethics
Support mission integrity in court/partner settings by maintaining the distinction between independent legal representation and system-driven expectations
Identify recurring barriers and elevate them to supervisory attorneys/PCADV as appropriate
Engage in systems advocacy by working with courts, law enforcement, prosecutors, and community stakeholders to improve systemic responses to survivors.
Develop and maintain partnerships with local attorneys, bar associations, legal services organizations, and law schools to expand a network of pro bono attorneys willing to accept referrals when conflicts or capacity issues arise.
Grant Compliance & Reporting
Participate in PCADV/funder monitoring and compliance activities
Submit required data through PCADV reporting systems using de-identified/aggregate data as required
Prepare Required Reports/documentation For PCADV, PCCD, And Other Funders
Other Duties
This job description is not designed to cover all activities, duties, or responsibilities required of the employee. Duties may change as organizational needs evolve.
Work Schedule
Primarily Monday-Friday during standard business hours aligned with court operations. Occasional flexibility may be needed for court deadlines or urgent client safety needs, with advance notice whenever possible.
Training & Professional Development
Complete required victim advocacy training consistent with organizational and funder standards.
Complete continuing legal education (CLE) requirements for Pennsylvania licensure.
Pursue at least 10 hours annually of training related to trauma-informed legal practice, cultural competence, or other relevant legal topics.
Remain current on funder requirements and compliance updates.
Qualifications
Required
Licensed attorney admitted to practice in Pennsylvania
Knowledge of civil legal issues affecting DV/SA survivors
Commitment to trauma-informed, survivor-centered practice
Ability to work within a community-based victim services organization while maintaining professional independence and confidentiality boundaries
Strong documentation and file management skills
Reliable transportation and valid Pa driver's license
Act 33/34 Child Abuse Clearances
Pennsylvania State Police Criminal History
FBI Clearance
Preferred / Desirable
Familiarity with immigration relief options impacting survivors (e.g., VAWA, U visas) and/or ability to make informed referrals (e.g., PIRC) and consult PCADV resources as needed
Experience in systems advocacy or legal policy work
Ethical Expectations
Adhere to the Pennsylvania Rules of Professional Conduct
Maintain survivor confidentiality, privilege, and professional boundaries
Comply with PCADV CLR standards and reporting requirements
Support YSH's mission while preserving the independence of legal representation
Uphold Your Safe Haven's Code of Conduct (confidentiality, professionalism, boundaries, accountability)
Work Environment
This position includes primarily office-based work with occasional evening hours for meetings or organizational priorities.
Equal Opportunity Employer
Your Safe Haven, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to diversity, equity, inclusion, and culturally responsive services.
Salary : $55,000 - $60,000