Legal Advocate

Position Summary:

The Legal Advocate will provide assessment, safety planning, supportive counseling, and legal advocacy for survivors of domestic violence at the Clearwater Courthouse, Justice Center, and Outreach Center. The Legal Advocate will assist survivors in completing injunctions for protection and attend return hearings. The Legal Advocate will act as the liaison with Safe House and Outreach Center Advocates and provide referrals for community resources, as needed.

Job Specifications/Qualifications: (Min. knowledge, skills, and abilities required) .

Education/Training (or equivalent):

H.S. Degree

College Degree* Certification/License*

- Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work or related field preferred

- CORE certification preferred

Experience: (Type of work experience, min. number of years):

- 2+ years of experience in domestic violence or legal field preferred

Technical or Administrative Knowledge:

- Knowledge of Microsoft Office Productivity Tools (MS Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint)

Special Skills and Abilities and/or:

- Fluency in Spanish (in both written and verbal form) preferred

- Ability to work independently

- Ability to work with people in crisis and deescalate situations using verbal and nonverbal communication skills

- Excellent public speaking skills and ability to provide training in formal and informal settings

- Must possess a valid Florida Driver’s License and have reliable transportation

Physical Requirements and Working Conditions:

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 that do not cause an undue hardship on the company may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions, as long as that would not hinder or prevent performance of duties, or be of a safety concern.

Key to denote % of time requirements necessary to perform essential functions of this job.

0% = Zero (O) 1-35% = Little (L) 36-70% = Moderate (M) 71-100% = Great (G)

- Physical Requirements: Light: Lifting 0-10 lbs. Moderate: Lifting 11-25 lbs. Heavy: Lifting 25+ lbs.

L – Lifting

L – Typing

L – Operate motor vehicle

M – Standing

M – Kneeling

M – Sitting

M – Walking

M – Bending/stooping

M – Pushing/pulling movements

M – Climbing stairs/ladders

M –Color / Depth perception

M – Fine hand & finger movements

M – Operate various equipment

M – Reaching above/below the waist

- Necessary traits for this position: Seeing Hearing Talking* Reading* Writing*

Basic comprehension of English language using the traits* marked above for purposes of safety, management direction and job responsibility, and minimal third party interaction.

Proficiency of the traits* marked above in the following languages for business letters, memos, customer interaction, presentations, demonstrations, employee direction, audits, etc: English Spanish 

Job Functions, Unique Duties and Responsibilities:

Essential Functions include, but are not limited to, the following:

General

• Follow the administrative guidelines and policies

• Maintain a community image consistent with the mission

• Engage in a relationship with the team which is mutually beneficial, fosters t       eamwork, and advances the mission

• Exercise due care and stewardship of resources, including equipment, food,       money, volunteers, and staff time

• Oversee the general physical environment for health, safety, and property           maintenance of facilities

Legal Advocacy

• Assess the needs of survivors of domestic violence and explain the legal           process and the options and services available

• Assist survivors in filing injunctions for protection at the Clearwater                     Courthouse or virtually

• Communicate with survivors between filing for the injunction for protection          and the hearing

• Accompany survivors to return hearings

• Make referrals for legal services and other community resources

• Act as liaison with Safe House and Outreach Center Advocates for additional     services

• Safety plan with survivors

Program Support

• Answer the phone and assist walk in participants, as needed

• Regularly update team members regarding resource listings and the status of     participants receiving or soon to be receiving services

• Update and maintain participant files

• Collect, organize, and enter data into appropriate formats for the WS database   and other funders’ databases regularly

• Develop self-knowledge of issues of domestic violence, laws, policies, and          case histories

• Participate in training opportunities, including, but not limited to, Core                   Certification training and maintaining 17 hours of domestic violence training per   year

• Attend staff meetings

Advancement/Community Relations:

•    Collaborate with other organizations and groups within the community to             build partnerships and enhance fundraising activities.

•    Assist in planning and coordinating events meant to raise funds (sanctioned       events, community events, etc).

•    Provide staff support at events, as needed.

Other

• Assist with other duties as assigned