POSITION: Legal Advocate
REPORTS TO: Director of Victim Services
Organization: HOPE HOUSE OF SOUTH CENTRAL WISCONSIN, INC.
POSITION SUMMARY:
Provides legal advocacy, support, information and referral services to victims/survivors of domestic abuse, elder abuse, stalking, and sexual assault in a knowledgeable, empathetic manner so that victims are informed of their rights and legal options.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Client Services
- Provides safety planning sessions and one-to-one meetings with victim/survivors
- Provide trauma-informed supportive counseling, advocacy, safety planning, and resources to youth and adult survivors of current and/or past domestic/dating violence and/or sexual assault
- Keep up-to-date of new laws affecting survivor’s safety
- Provides resources and referrals as needed to help meet survivor needs
- Consults with other members of the legal system for the protection of the victim/survivors and accountability of offenders within the court/criminal justice system.
- Attend and actively participate in staff and agency meetings.
- Complete and submit grant reporting and application information as required.
- Complete and submit program reports and annual work plans.
- Adhere to agency policies, procedures and work rules.
- Proactively engage in behaviors and activities that promote a safe, clean, productive work environment.
- Foster an atmosphere of respect, cooperation and positive energy among co-workers and supervisors.
- Civil/Criminal Justice
- Provide information about the criminal justice process and victims’ rights.
- Understand the types of injunctions available to victims and the respective mandatory firearms surrender provisions, as well as the history leading up to legislative changes.
- Facilitate educational sessions for victims regarding family law topics and provide civil legal assistance with family law issues.
- Possess familiarity with and working knowledge of Wisconsin and federal laws, governing statutes, codes, procedures, and policies.
- Develop understanding of distinctions that exist with the Tribal laws.
- Host legal clinics as needed or requested by government agency or other stakeholders and community members.
- Provide crisis intervention/crisis response services including assessing safety and risk factors.
- Provide follow-up services for program participants, including support and encouragement to identify and achieve their personal goals.
- In collaboration with the mobile advocate teams, identify and implement strategies for identifying under-served populations specific to each individual county.
- On Call Rotation
- Respond to requests from hospitals, health care providers, law enforcement and human services departments to provide direct client services for victims/survivors. Provide accompaniment for victims/survivors as requested.
- Respond to law enforcement requests for advocacy services including victim interviews, Lethality Assessment Protocols, and faxed/email referrals.
- Provide emergency transportation to clients entering shelter when safe to do so and no other option is available.
- Provide shelter shift coverage on-site in the event the staff regularly scheduled is not able to work.
QUALIFICATIONS:
Education/Experience:
- Minimum of Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice, Women’s Studies or related field.
- Licensed Attorney Preferred.
- Two years of experience providing legal advocacy to victims of domestic assault or other crimes.
- Knowledge of social service, welfare, mental health and justice systems pertinent to the needs of abused persons.
- Experience working with diverse populations.
- Ability to maintain high level of confidentiality is essential.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
- The physical demands 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.
- While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand, sit, talk, hear, walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee is occasionally required to smell.
- The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 lbs.
- Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, color vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.
WORK CONDITIONS:
The work conditions for this job description are:
- This position is based at the Resource Center in Baraboo, WI. Travel throughout the 5 county service area and Dane county is required occasionally.
- Access to reliable transportation and travel are required to perform essential duties.
- Must maintain valid Wisconsin driver’s license. Obtains and maintains the required motor vehicle liability insurance requirements and an acceptable motor vehicle record.
- Must pass criminal background check.
- Flexible work hours are required to accommodate for after-hours/weekend on call response, client services, meetings and community events.
NOTE: This information indicates the general nature of work and level of responsibility for this position. It is not intended to be a comprehensive list of duties and responsibilities. Hope House strives for a fully inclusive work environment and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, disability, age, familial or marital status, and/or with regard to public assistance or any other characteristic. Hope House is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
To apply, please go to: https://www.hopehousescw.org/career-opportunities.html
Attachment: Legal Advocate