Legal Advocate
About The Position
The Legal Advocate is responsible for providing confidential, survivor-centered support and advocacy to individuals who have experienced domestic and sexual violence who are seeking civil legal services or who come to SafePlace as drop-in clients. This includes crisis intervention, safety planning, emotional support, information and referrals, program intake, answering crisis line calls, and providing system navigation support for civil legal or other needs. The advocate also works collaboratively with community partners to improve survivor access to resources and ensures that the safety and legal intervention needs of the client are met. This position requires occasional flexibility to cover phone advocacy needs for crisis line shifts outside of the regular work schedule.
Requirements
- Associate’s degree in social work, social services, criminal justice, or related field.
- One year’s experience working with survivors of trauma, including domestic or sexual violence within a legal system context, or any equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Commitment to social justice, anti-oppression, and survivor-centered practices.
- Demonstrated understanding of sexual and domestic violence issues and legal protections.
- Working knowledge of the court system, law enforcement systems, and legal procedures.
- Strong communication and emotional resilience skills.
- Ability to maintain confidentiality and clear boundaries.
- Available for on-call phone advocacy shifts, including evenings and weekends, as needed.
- Completion of 30+ hours of domestic violence and sexual assault advocacy core training (or willingness to complete upon hire).
- Valid driver’s license and reliable transportation.
- Familiarity with Thurston County resources and social service systems.
- Adherence to SafePlace mission, vision, values and philosophy.
Nice To Haves
- Fluency in a second language (especially Spanish, ASL, or other commonly spoken languages in Thurston County).
- CPR/First Aid certification.
Responsibilities
- Provide trauma-informed, culturally responsive support to domestic violence and sexual assault survivors of all genders and backgrounds.
- Provide and assist with legal advocacy for survivors pursuing protection orders, restraining orders, anti-harassment orders. May support client pursuing family law issues via referral to appropriate entities.
- Ensure confidentiality and clear boundaries. Adhere to applicable program parameters and compliance measures to provide advocacy only ; advocates do not provide legal advice in any circumstance.
- Conduct intakes for the legal program and ongoing advocacy in person with clients, supporting system navigation for legal issues and other resources.
- Assist with safety planning, system navigation, coordinated entry connection and resource referrals.
- Assist clients and coordinate with community partners for client participation in legal clinics.
- Maintain accurate knowledge of relevant community resources.
- Maintain accurate and confidential documentation in accordance with organizational policies and state/federal guidelines.
- Accurately record time worked and partner with manager and teammates to ensure program coverage.
- Accurately log service hours with each client. This position is expected to log a minimum of 18 hours of direct client advocacy per week.
- Collaborate with staff and community partners to improve trauma-informed response systems.
- Participate in regular supervision, team meetings, and ongoing training.
Benefits
- Medical, dental, vision
- paid holidays and paid time off in accordance with agency policy and procedure
- Employee Assistance Program
- retirement benefits upon meeting eligibility requirements
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Entry Level
Education Level
Associate degree
