Legal Advocate

Job Description

Job Description

JOB DESCRIPTION

POSITION TITLE: Advocate - Legal

FT/PT: Full time (35+ hours per week, may include some evenings and weekends)

CLASSIFICATION: Non-Exempt - Salaried

PAY GROUP: Grade 16

REPORTS TO: Program Director

SUPERVISES: N/A

FUNCTION: The Legal Advocate will assist in the development and implementation of services for adult victims of domestic violence. The Advocate will provide all necessary advocacy, and link clients to needed services. The Legal Advocate has the responsibility to provide information and IDVA advocacy and support to clients of the agency.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Assist clients, in the court setting, in obtaining Orders of Protection.
• Provide follow-up services to both walk-in clients as well as referred clients.
• Provide crisis intervention to walk-in clients, call-in clients or clients referred by other means.
• Develop Service Plans jointly with each client. Will continuously monitor progress of the client(s), and adjust service plans as necessary. Monitors the goals, objectives and quality of the program. Time frames must be clearly specified.
• May provide employment counseling and referrals for job placement.
• On behalf of the client and/or Family Rescue, will coordinate and advocate with outside entities which may include; social service organizations, mental health organizations, substance abuse organizations, housing organizations and/or legal/law enforcements agencies, etc.
• Serves as a liaison between Family Rescue and the community at large.
• Works with internal agency programs to link clients to appropriate services.
• Provide effective case management/documentation which includes completing all required documentation in a timely manner and maintaining records, files, reports etc. as directed.
• Complete intake/screening of clients for services.
• Provide follow-up service for a minimum of six (6) months, to clients once they have left Family Rescue services.
• Attend staff meetings, trainings etc. as required and/or scheduled.
• Other Duties as assigned.

MARGINAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Assist in picking up and distribution of donations
• Research and/or gather resources to directly assist clients and/or to perform job.
• Assist in the up-keep (cleaning) of office/building space(s).
• Provide assistance with transportation to scheduled appointments.
• Assist in other programs both inter-agency as well as inter-program.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Education & Experience:

• A Bachelor Degree or degree in social service or related field.
• Will consider an Associate Degree with two (2) or more year’s applicable experience.
• May consider a High School Diploma with four (4) or more year’s applicable experience.
• Must have 40-hour domestic violence training (within 3 months of hire date).
• Must be CPR/first aid certified (within 1 year of hire date).

Language/Writing Skills:

• Must have excellent verbal skills.
• Must have the ability to communicate effectively to diverse group(s) of people in varied settings.
• Must be able to write in a logical, clear and grammatically correct way.
• Bi-lingual Spanish speaking, reading and writing may be required.

Reasoning Ability:

• Must have the ability to read, analyze and interpret common reports and documents.
• Must be able to respond to the needs and/or request of clients, co-workers, supervisors and others in a professional and timely manner.
• Must have the ability to plan and organize in a logical manner.
• Must be able to prioritize and multi-task in an efficient manner.

Physical Demands:

• Must be able to stand and walk up to 2/3 or more of the time.
• Must be able to sit up to 1/3 of the time.
• Must be able to use hand and/or fingers up to 2/3 or more of the time.
• Must be able to lift up to 10lbs up to 1/3 of the time.
• Must be able to hear and talk 2/3 or more of the time.
• Must have clear vision up to 20 inches minimally.

Equipment Used:

• Must be proficient in the use of the computer and various software packages.
• Must be able to use standard telephone.
• May have to use general office equipment including; fax machine, copier, calculator, typewriter, etc.

Work Environment:

• Must be able to work in an office setting with moderate noise levels.
• May be exposed to outdoor weather conditions 1/3 to 2/3 of the time.

• Must be able to travel locally and regionally.