Bilingual Court Advocate

Volunteers of America Oregon • Portland, OR

58d • $23 - $31 • Hybrid

About The Position

To reflect the bilingual requirements for this position, the compensation range has been increased by 3%, resulting in an updated pay range of $23.10 to $31.18 per hour. Make a difference with VOA Oregon! For over 125 years, Volunteers of America Oregon has been dedicated to serving the most vulnerable members of our community. Through our programs in behavioral health, addiction treatment, reentry services, and support for children and families, we provide life-changing services that promote safety, healing, and empowerment. Join a mission-driven organization that truly values its employees! This is a full-time position with excellent benefits, including: Comprehensive health coverage – medical, dental, and vision insurance, with an employee medical premium starting at just $12.50 per paycheck Financial protection – life insurance, short- and long-term disability insurance Retirement security – 403(b) with an automatic 5.5% employer contribution after 18 months, regardless of employee participation Work-life balance – a generous paid time off (PTO) plan, starting with accruals that earn 15 days in the first year, 23 days in the second, and 26 days in the third Upfront sick leave – 80 hours of front-loaded sick time (prorated in the first year), which resets annually on January 1 Paid holidays – 10 paid holidays each year, plus three personal holidays (prorated in the first year) for employees to take time off to celebrate holidays, events, or milestones that matter most to them Student loan forgiveness – As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, VOA Oregon is a qualifying employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program, which can help employees reduce or eliminate their federal student loan debt after 10 years of qualifying payments. Additional perks – flexible spending accounts, an employee assistance program, and other voluntary benefits and discounts At VOA Oregon, you’ll be part of a compassionate and dedicated team, making a real difference in our community. Apply today! Position Close Date: 11/27/2025 Applicants must upload a resume and cover letter to their application in order to be considered for this opportunity. Volunteers of America Oregon is seeking a Bilingual Court Advocate to join our growing team at Home Free. Home Free has been providing advocacy, resources, and support services to survivors of domestic and sexual violence in the Portland area for over 50 years. Gender-inclusive and culturally responsive services offered by Home Free include crisis support, safety planning, housing, and advocacy in legal, healthcare, and community settings. Members of our team mobilize compassion, skillfulness, creativity, and resources to empower over 5,000 survivors annually to weave together options to open life-changing pathways towards safety and self-determination. The Bilingual (Spanish/English) Court Advocate is responsible for development, coordination, follow-up and delivery of court and legal services. The Legal Advocate provides services in Multnomah County Courthouse to survivors seeking protective orders. Courthouse services include accompanying survivors to court hearings and being available to court staff for consultation. In addition, they support survivors with short-term case management based on their needs. Additional services include providing emotional support, safety and stabilization assessment, safety planning, advocacy, and system navigation for domestic violence survivors on a short-term and ongoing basis.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in social work, women’s/gender studies or a related field preferred. Associate's degree and one year of related experience OR High School diploma/GED and two years of relevant experience or lived experience of domestic and/or sexual violence may be substituted in lieu of 4-year degree.
• This position requires experience or willingness to learn in the following areas: networking and building community partnerships, and provision of supportive services, especially within vulnerable and disadvantaged communities.
• This position requires knowledge or willingness to learn in in the following areas: courts, civil and criminal law, legal resources, law enforcement and cross-disciplinary response to domestic and sexual violence.
• Bilingual Spanish/English.
• Excellent communication, collaboration, and community networking skills.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Outlook, Excel).
• Enthusiasm for working with individuals of diverse identities, building bridges, and collaborating with a wide array of community partners including governmental and other non-profit agencies.
• Comfort and skillfulness discussing topics related to domestic and sexual violence, healthy relationships, trauma, and contending with oppressive systemic factors which contribute to the ongoing prevalence of domestic and sexual violence with various entities.
• Ability to be self-directed, multitask, pivot effectively to fulfill the various aspects of the role, be flexible, prioritize daily workload, and operate calmly amidst stressful circumstances.
• An understanding and passion for continued learning around the root causes of domestic and sexual violence, and how injustices intersect based on race, gender identity, sexual orientation, and ability.
• The desire and ability to promote an anti-racist, inclusive, and culturally diverse and culturally responsive environment.
• The ability to relate respectfully with people of diverse backgrounds and ages, and to utilize equitable and trauma-informed practices.
• Awareness of your own personal and/or positional privilege and power.
• Ability to pass a background check.
• Ability to travel around the Portland Metro area for job related activities.
• Completion of 40-hour domestic and sexual violence advocacy training, or equivalent to be approved by the Program Director OR expectation that training will be completed within first six months of employment (provided internally).
• Completion of Assertive Engagement (AE) training, OR expectation that training will be completed after employment (provided internally).

Nice To Haves

• Bicultural and those with lived experience of domestic and/or sexual violence preferred, but not required.

Responsibilities

• Responsible for meeting all Legal Component objectives stipulated by the contract(s) funding this position.
• Provide culturally responsive court and legal advocacy and assistance.
• Provide direct support to survivors of domestic and sexual violence to include systems navigation, needs assessments, linkages to community resources, danger assessments and safety planning, and other services as needed.
• Establish and maintain positive working relationships with Multnomah County Court staff and judges, Family Court Services, Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office, District Attorney’s office, community groups, social service agencies, and other partners.
• Provide case consultation to court staff and other partners to assist with case planning and cross-training.
• Provide petitioners with logistical information on civil legal remedies, civil and criminal justice systems, appropriate community resources, and the dynamics of domestic and sexual violence.
• Provide staffing coverage of the Restraining Order Room and Hotline.
• Support the restraining order room volunteers in the courthouse and on the Restraining Order hotline.
• Organize and implement a monthly survivor group focusing on incarcerated survivors.
• Utilize client assistance to support survivors with transportation needs and debt reduction.
• Adherence to Home Free’s Ethical Communication policies and procedures.
• Work collaboratively with a co-advocacy model with case managers across Home Free programming, providing education and co-case management support as needed.
• Maintain records of service provision, provide necessary statistics, and prepare reports as required by Home Free and funders.
• Maintain files and ensure all required paperwork is kept up to date.
• Develop and maintain positive relationships with community groups, social service agencies, and other community partners.

Benefits

• Comprehensive health coverage – medical, dental, and vision insurance, with an employee medical premium starting at just $12.50 per paycheck
• Financial protection – life insurance, short- and long-term disability insurance
• Retirement security – 403(b) with an automatic 5.5% employer contribution after 18 months, regardless of employee participation
• Work-life balance – a generous paid time off (PTO) plan, starting with accruals that earn 15 days in the first year, 23 days in the second, and 26 days in the third
• Upfront sick leave – 80 hours of front-loaded sick time (prorated in the first year), which resets annually on January 1
• Paid holidays – 10 paid holidays each year, plus three personal holidays (prorated in the first year) for employees to take time off to celebrate holidays, events, or milestones that matter most to them
• Student loan forgiveness – As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, VOA Oregon is a qualifying employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program, which can help employees reduce or eliminate their federal student loan debt after 10 years of qualifying payments.
• Additional perks – flexible spending accounts, an employee assistance program, and other voluntary benefits and discounts

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Number of Employees: 251-500 employees