Justice System Advocate

Journey Center for Safety and Healing•Cleveland, OH

9d•$0 - $19

About The Position

The Justice System Advocate assists victims of domestic violence and related crimes by providing a range of services, including help with compensation claims, crisis intervention, court support, case-status information, community referrals, and community awareness. The role advocates for victims within the community and criminal justice system, supports victims and their families through interviews and court processes, and facilitates a weekly support group for domestic violence victims. The advocate also maintains case records, follows up with victims about case developments, promotes Journey Center’s program, and maintains working relationships with courts and municipalities. Other related duties may be assigned.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent years of experience.
Valid Ohio driver’s license, appropriate insurance coverage, and a driving record that meets requirements.
Availability for extended and non-traditional work hours and ability to tailor work hours to families’ needs.
Considerable knowledge of the criminal justice system, crisis intervention practices, interviewing, community resources, crime victimization, victims’ rights, and advocacy techniques.
Computer skills, including word processing, database management, email, fax, and Windows applications.
Ability to make sensitive and insightful observations and determine an appropriate course of intervention.
Ability to respond to crisis situations requiring prompt decisions and action.
Knowledge of safety issues and the social, emotional, and personal aspects of domestic violence.
Working knowledge of community resources available to adult victims of domestic violence.
Ability to work with initiative and independent judgment, analyze problems, and develop plans of action or correction.
Ability to organize work, manage varied tasks, and consistently meet deadlines.
Sound judgment, strong interpersonal skills, emotional maturity and stability, personal integrity, initiative, and resourcefulness.
Ability to communicate clearly and sensitively with staff, board members, accrediting bodies, grantors, funding bodies, clients, volunteers, and the public.
Good written and verbal communication skills.
Ability to communicate effectively with victims, defendants, law enforcement, and court personnel and maintain effective working relationships with courts, agencies, and individuals.
Commitment to child abuse and domestic violence prevention.
Experience in and commitment to building and supporting trauma-informed organizations.
Ability to maintain a positive attitude.
Thorough knowledge of the rules, regulations, functions, procedures, organization, and policies governing Journey Center for Safety and Healing.
Ability to incorporate Journey Center’s values into assigned duties.
Ability to perform responsibilities across multiple levels without elevators, provide services at various locations, communicate consistently in person, electronically, or by phone, and maintain regular and predictable attendance.

Nice To Haves

Experience working with victims of domestic violence.

Responsibilities

Provide crisis intervention and emergency assistance, assess immediate needs, and refer victims to community resources.
Help victims apply for State Victim Assistance Compensation by gathering information and documents, completing and processing paperwork, and following cases through payment of bills; coordinate with victim service providers and the Ohio Attorney General’s Office.
Explain the procedural status of criminal proceedings and cases, orient victims to the criminal justice system, and provide court support.
Create case records and submit timely documentation of case activities to the JSA Coordinator.
Advocate for victims’ needs with the community and criminal justice system; confer with law enforcement and prosecutors about case status and assist with temporary protection orders, reimbursement claims, and other processes that protect victims’ rights.
Support victims and family members during interviews with law enforcement officers, attorneys, and court personnel, and explain victims’ criminal justice system rights.
Follow up with victims about case status and disposition, charges filed, criminal proceedings, probation terms and conditions, and parole hearings and release dates when applicable.
Promote Journey Center and its Justice System Advocacy program through community meetings.
Facilitate a weekly support group for domestic violence victims.
Maintain positive working relationships internally and with assigned courts and municipalities.
Respect and promote Journey Center’s mission, vision, values, and goals.
Complete agency orientation and training required for the role.
Assume other responsibilities and duties as directed or assigned.