Legal Advocate - $19+ - Part Time 24 Hours

Domestic Violence Services of Southwestern PA•Washington, PA

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

This person will be primarily based out of the WASHINGTON LEGAL ADVOCACY OFFICE but must be willing to cross train and be available for occasional coverage in Washington, Greene, and Fayette County Legal Advocacy offices. The role involves counseling clients in legal options and expectations, supporting them in the criminal and civil justice systems, and accompanying them to hearings and law enforcement agencies. The advocate will also assist clients in filing Protection From Abuse petitions and advocating for them at hearings. A key aspect of the role is staying updated on prevailing laws, statutes, and local procedures pertaining to domestic violence, developing relationships with legal and law enforcement systems, and participating in community outreach and systems advocacy. The position utilizes a trauma-informed model to provide direct services such as telephone hotline counseling, safety planning, information and referrals, accompaniment, individual advocacy, individual empowerment counseling, legal advocacy, transportation, support groups, and victim compensation assistance. Additionally, the role involves providing intakes, arranging hotline coverage, and offering education about community options. A significant responsibility includes supervising and training worksite volunteers, reinforcing mandated reporting of child abuse. The advocate will maintain detailed electronic records, prepare reports, and ensure confidentiality. In the safe house, the role involves encouraging and supervising clients' housekeeping chores and performing general housekeeping duties when residents are unavailable. The advocate must also complete assigned trainings and other duties as assigned.

Requirements

Translatable work experience
Must possess valid PA driver’s license, insurance, and reliable vehicle.
Excellent interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills
Ability to provide on-going supervision, training, and professional development
Collaborate with peers and other departments within the agency
Working knowledge of community resources
Ability to maintain confidentiality
Proficient computer, Internet, and email skills
Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) fingerprint processed in accordance with Public Law 92-522 and the Child Protective Services Law (Title 23, Pa C.S. Chapter 63), Federal Criminal History Background Check.
Pennsylvania Child Abuse History Clearance.
PA State Police Report of Criminal History Clearance.
Reference Check
Possess current PA driver’s license, insurance, and reliable vehicle

Nice To Haves

Degree in Related Field or equivalent work experience

Responsibilities

Counsel clients in legal options and expectations.
Support and assist clients in all aspects of the criminal and civil justice systems, accompanying them to hearings as requested.
Accompany clients to law enforcement agencies and advocate on their behalf as requested.
Assist clients in filing Protection From Abuse petitions, accompanying them to Southwestern PA Legal Services and advocating for them at hearings.
Keep up to date with prevailing laws, statutes, and local procedures pertaining to domestic violence.
Develop/maintain good working relationships with and assist in trainings to legal/law enforcement systems.
Participate in community outreach and systems advocacy for Lethality Assessment Program.
Participate in advocacy activities on behalf of domestic violence victims on a local, state, and national level.
Provide direct services including: telephone hotline counseling, safety planning, information and referrals, accompaniment, individual advocacy, individual empowerment counseling, legal advocacy, transportation, support groups, and victim compensation assistance.
Provide intakes and transportation as needed, arrange hotline coverage as warranted.
Offer education and information about other community options, particularly if DVSSP has no available beds.
Supervise and train worksite volunteers as directed.
Report child abuse as mandated by law, reinforcing to volunteers that they are mandated reporters.
Maintain detailed and timely electronic counseling records.
Prepare and submit all statistics and reports as instructed.
Maintain facility, staff, volunteer, and client confidentiality at all times.
Encourage and supervise the performance of housekeeping chores by clients in the safe house.
Perform general housekeeping duties when residents are unavailable or away.
Complete trainings as directed by supervisor.
Other duties as assigned.

Benefits

Flexible Scheduling
Paid Training
Competitive Pay
Annual education opportunities
Internal Advancement
Comprehensive Benefit package including PTO, Sick Time, and Agency Vehicle use for work related travel.
Pension
Life Insurance
Extended Paid Leave
Medical/Dental/Vision
Eligibility for the Student Loan Forgiveness Program!