Client Advocate

Haven is the only nonprofit in Gallatin County serving survivors of domestic and sexual violence, sex trafficking, and stalking. Our approach makes us unique — everything we do is deeply and genuinely rooted in empowerment. We connect survivors to available resources and the help they need while trusting they should be the ones to decide what’s best for their own journey.

Haven began serving survivors in 1979. Over the last four decades, Haven has worked to both provide safe intervention for survivors of domestic violence, as well as to prevent future violence from occurring. We believe increased awareness through community education can make us all allies in ending domestic violence. At Haven, we keep survivors at the center of everything we do.

Employees are expected to show up each workday ready to work, prioritize tasks effectively, accomplish work efficiently, and follow through on all commitments. Employees are expected to assume best intent when communicating with peers and to lead with curiosity, not judgment.

Haven’s Client Advocate is a member of the Survivor Legal Services team and provides advocacy, support, and information to clients as part of Haven’s holistic, client-centered model of representation for survivors of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking. Working within an interdisciplinary team, the Client Advocate helps provide coordinated, trauma-informed legal services through holistic advocacy, emotional support, and service referrals. The Client Advocate also conducts in-depth client intakes, prepares clients to appear and testify in court, and helps clients collect and organize evidence and information to assist the Staff Attorney in pursuing clients’ claims.

Responsibilities:

Client Advocacy (80%):

Provide culturally responsive holistic advocacy, emotional support, and information under the direction of the Staff Attorney to clients of Haven’s Survivor Legal Services program. Refer clients to appropriate service agencies to address concerns related to housing, mental and physical health, employment, education, parenting dynamics, and other social challenges.

Conduct prospective client intake screening from intra-organization referrals. Interview prospective clients to collect information regarding legal issues, economic challenges, and social conditions. Apply program eligibility and case selection criteria to referrals. Screen referrals for conflicts of interest. Recommend to Staff Attorney acceptance of appropriate referrals. Triage referrals based on legal urgency.

Assist clients with information gathering, evidence collection, witness identification, personal and case-specific goal setting, safety planning, and accessing wraparound services aligned with and in support of clients’ stated legal objectives.

Transport clients in a Haven vehicle to and from court appearances, or other required in-person meetings, as necessary.

Support the Staff Attorney in helping clients prepare for court appearances and testimony in matters filed in courts within Gallatin County. Accompany clients to court, depositions, interviews, and other appearances related to clients’ legal matters.

Maintain detailed documentation of advocate-client interactions in the program’s designated electronic case management system (eCMS). Utilize the eCMS to securely communicate with clients, store client records, and track time spent on each matter. Build and maintain intake forms in the eCMS.

Collaborate with other program staff to develop high-quality, enhanced self-help materials targeted to meet the legal needs of survivors of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking.

Attend regularly scheduled legal clinics and advice appointments to provide advocacy and support to clients receiving limited scope representation.

Participate in regular program team meetings to develop and coordinate legal case strategy and holistic advocacy and support services.

Perform all work consistent with all legal and ethical requirements of the Staff Attorney.

Data Collection and Management (5%):

Maintain case and client data fields in the eCMS to ensure accurate and consistent data tracking and reporting as required by funding sources.

Track costs and expenses associated with individual cases and assist with balancing client accounts.

Interagency Networking (10%):

Act as staff liaison between Haven and systems‐based partner agencies.

Participate in outreach and attend briefings to law enforcement, judges, court personnel, jail personnel, and other groups providing legal intervention services.

Collaborate with Gallatin County Victim Services Program Director and staff as appropriate while maintaining attorney-client privilege, attorney-client confidentiality, and VAWA confidentiality requirements.

Collaborate with Bozeman City Attorney’s Office Victim Services Coordinator and staff as appropriate while maintaining attorney-client privilege, attorney-client confidentiality, and VAWA confidentiality requirements.

Attend all inter-organizational team meetings on behalf of Haven’s Survivor Legal Services program, including meetings of the Domestic Violence Response Team (DVRT) and the 18th Judicial District Family Justice Coordinating Council (FJCC).

Maintain records of all interagency networking and meetings.

Other (5%):

Attend staff meetings and other meetings as directed by the Staff Attorney and the Intervention Manager.

Provide support for fundraising and volunteer activities as needed.

Train advocates, volunteers, and other Haven personnel as required by the Staff Attorney and Intervention Manager.

Supervise undergraduate interns.

Other duties as assigned by the Staff Attorney.

Minimum Qualifications:

Bachelor’s Degree in a social science, human services, or related field. Relevant fields may include communication, criminal justice, economics, education, human development, human geography, political science, psychology, public health, public policy, social work, sociology, or urban studies.

Knowledge in the fields of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking.

Experience with crisis intervention and trauma-informed advocacy.

Proficient in Microsoft Office 365 and Google Workspace Suite.

Excellent oral and written communication skills.

Driver’s license, reliable transportation, and auto insurance.

Highly organized, detail-oriented, flexible, innovative, and able to maintain a positive attitude.

Ability to adapt, cope, and make decisions independently under high‐stress conditions.

Ability to empathize with individuals from diverse backgrounds and cultures.

Must have integrity and self-initiative.

Understanding of mental health, trauma, diversity, co‐occurring issues, and cultural adaptability.

Preferred Qualifications:

Knowledge of Montana and federal laws related to domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking.

Experience working for an attorney or within a law practice.

Experience coordinating local, state, and inter-state service referrals.

Experience cultivating and maintaining relationships with community-based and institutional partners and stakeholders.

Training that is provided:

Haven Volunteer Advocacy training.

Montana Coalition Against Domestic & Sexual Violence Basic Advocacy training.

Training on the dynamics and effects of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking as required by the Staff Attorney or Intervention Manager.

CPR/First Aid training as required by the Staff Attorney or Intervention Manager.

ASIST suicide intervention training as required by the Staff Attorney or Intervention Manager.

Other training and shadowing as required by the Staff Attorney or Intervention Manager.

Physical Demand and Work Environment:

The physical demands and work environment described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit and talk or hear; use hands and fingers to handle, feel or operate objects, tools or controls; and reach with hands and arms. Position requires walking, climbing stairs, and lifting at least 25 lbs. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus. The noise level in the environment is usually quiet.

Responsible to:

Staff Attorney

Hours of Work:

This is a full-time, non-exempt hourly position with a 36-hour work week.

Compensation:

Haven uses a compensation equity calculator to set pay at the organization. The hourly pay range for this position is $25.80 - $29.43. Calculator scores are determined by responsibilities, professional and personal experience, and physical and emotional labor required to successfully meet the job requirements.

Additionally, Haven offers generous benefits including health coverage per our company policy, and an additional opt-in vision and dental plan at the employee’s expense; 160 hours of annual paid time off (PTO) during the first three years of employment and 200 hours of annual PTO thereafter; 10 paid holidays annually; one week of sick leave annually; accrue up to 10 weeks of paid parental leave fully available after 12 months of employment; wellness reimbursement of up to $80 per month; an employee matching SIMPLE IRA available January 1; and a cell phone stipend of $40 per month.

Probation Period:

12 months

To Apply:

Please submit a cover letter, resume, and three professional references as attachments to Julie Walters at View email address on click.appcast.io by 8 am on Monday, August 3, 2026. Please include in the subject line the name of the position. In the cover letter, please tell us why you are interested in working for Haven and why this position would be a good fit for you. Incomplete and/or late applications may not be considered. No phone calls please.

Haven is an Equal Opportunity Employer and encourages applicants from all backgrounds, races, genders, and identities to apply.