Court Advocate

Job Description

Job Description

YWCA Northeast Kansas is dedicated to eliminating racism, empowering women and promoting peace, justice, freedom and dignity for all. We provide transformative services in the areas of domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking and human trafficking, Community Violence Interruption, before- and after-school programming, and leadership and inclusion initiatives.

Job Classification: Exempt, Full-Time

Work Schedule: Monday-Friday between the hours of 8:00AM-5:30PM

Reporting Relationship: Rural Project Manager

JOB SUMMARY

Reporting to the Rural Project Manager, the Court Advocate maintains a safe, confidential, and trauma-informed environment for clients of YWCA Northeast Kansas’ Center for Safety and Empowerment (CSE). The Court Advocate provides survivor-centered advocacy to individuals impacted by domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, and human trafficking, with a primary focus on navigating the civil and criminal legal systems. This role supports victims/survivors through court processes, promotes informed decision-making, coordinates services across agencies, and helps reduce barriers to safety and justice.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Court Advocacy & Victim/Survivor Support

• Provides crisis intervention, safety planning, and advocacy services to individuals impacted by domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, and human trafficking.
• Assists victims/survivors in completing and filing Protection From Abuse (PFA), Protection From Stalking (PFS), and other applicable protection orders while providing education regarding the legal process.
• Attends criminal, civil, and Protection Order dockets to provide emotional support, information, advocacy, and connection to services.
• Supports victims/survivors throughout court proceedings by explaining court processes, accompanying clients when appropriate, and helping reduce barriers to participation.
• Responds to victims/survivors in person and over the phone, including hotline calls, walk-ins, and referrals from community partners.
• Provides advocacy and/or transportation to court hearings and other legal appointments, as appropriate.
• Carries a caseload of clients, providing ongoing advocacy, case coordination, and follow-up based on individual needs.
• Provides supportive counseling and referrals to additional services, including shelter, case management, counseling, housing, medical care, and community resources.
• Answers hotline calls and provides support, including identification of potential trafficking situations and appropriate response.
• Assists with walk-in clients and crisis situations, as needed.

Legal Systems Coordination

• Maintains collaborative working relationships with the District Attorney's Office, law enforcement agencies, court personnel, judges, Kansas Legal Services, KCSDV Legal Assistance, and other legal partners.
• Advocates on behalf of victims/survivors to help ensure access to rights, resources, and victim-centered services within the justice system.
• Coordinates referrals with legal service providers when legal representation or additional advocacy is needed.
• Maintains current knowledge of applicable laws, court procedures, victim rights, and best practices in victim advocacy.

Teamwork & Collaboration

• Maintains regular communication with community partners regarding available resources.
• Refers and coordinates services with community agencies for needs not provided by CSE.
• Attends community meetings and collaborates with partner agencies, as needed, to support client services and systems coordination.
• Attends all required YWCA Northeast Kansas, CSE, and shelter staff meetings.
• Serves in the on-call rotation, including after-hours, overnight, weekend, or holiday availability as required.

• Completes all required documentation for each client served in a timely, accurate, and confidential manner.
• Enters all client contacts, services, case notes, and outcomes into the agency database in accordance with program and funder requirements.
• Maintains strict adherence to confidentiality laws and ethical standards, including VAWA/VOCA/FVPSA protections.

Other Position Functions

• Refrains from assuming any duty that is unrelated to and/or interferes with the responsibilities of the position.
• Advocates, promotes, and practices cultural sensitivity and responsiveness in day-to-day interactions.
• Performs other duties assigned by the supervisor or CEO. The job description does not state or imply that these are the only activities to be performed by the employee holding this position.

QUALIFICATIONS

At a minimum, the Court Advocate must have a degree in Social Work, Public Health, Human Services, or a related field. Relevant professional experience may be substituted for formal education requirements, depending on the nature and scope of the experience. In addition, the Court Advocate shall have:

• Basic understanding of dynamics of domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, and human trafficking.
• Knowledge of local community resources and support services.
• Sensitivity to the needs of others.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage individuals in crisis.
• Ability to function well in a crisis setting where interruptions are frequent.
• Valid driver’s license, reliable transportation, and the ability to travel within service areas.
• Dedication to relationship building and a commitment to working as an integral part of a team, while exercising significant initiative and autonomy.
• Commitment to the YWCA mission and values, including a strong focus on racial equity and social justice.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

The physical requirements described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions:

• Work Environment: Office
• Lifting Requirement: 25 pounds
• Able to climb flights of stairs multiple times daily.
• Travel Requirements:
  • Valid driver’s license.
  • Transportation.
  • Auto insurance.
  • Travel throughout the multi-county rural service area required.
• Pass various background checks.

NON DISCRIMINATION

YWCA Northeast Kansas is an equal opportunity employer committed to building an inclusive, equitable, and trauma-informed workplace. We recognize that systemic inequities impact many aspects of society, and we strive to address these through our policies, practices, and organizational culture. We believe that diversity in all its forms strengthens our mission and our work.

We do not discriminate in hiring or employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, age, national origin, sexual orientation, disability, or any other protected status in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws. No question on our application is intended to secure information to be used for such discrimination.

We are also committed to fair hiring practices, including the consideration of qualified applicants with criminal records, in line with applicable laws and our values of second chances and community reintegration.

We strongly encourage applications from individuals of diverse backgrounds — including Black, Indigenous, and People of Color; immigrants and refugees; LGBTQIA+ individuals; people with disabilities; gender-diverse individuals; survivors; and members of other historically underrepresented communities.