Sandra Rosenbaum School of Social Work

Legal Advocate

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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