Legal Advocate - $19+ - Part Time 24 Hours

Domestic Violence Services of Southwestern PA • Washington, PA

8d

About The Position

The Legal Advocate is primarily based in the Washington Legal Advocacy Office and must be willing to cross-train and provide occasional coverage in the Washington, Greene, and Fayette County Legal Advocacy offices. The role provides trauma-informed support and advocacy to people affected by domestic violence, including guidance on legal options and assistance navigating criminal and civil justice systems. The position also involves working with volunteers, community partners, and legal and law-enforcement systems, as well as supporting outreach and systems advocacy. The role is part-time, 24 hours per week.

Requirements

• Translatable work experience.
• Valid Pennsylvania driver’s license, insurance, and reliable vehicle.
• Excellent interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills.
• Ability to provide ongoing supervision, training, and professional development.
• Ability to collaborate with peers and other agency departments.
• Working knowledge of community resources.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality.
• Proficient computer, Internet, and email skills.
• Successful completion of the required FBI fingerprint-based federal criminal history background check, Pennsylvania Child Abuse History Clearance, Pennsylvania State Police criminal history clearance, and reference check.

Nice To Haves

• Degree in a related field or equivalent work experience.

Responsibilities

• Counsel clients on legal options and expectations and assist them in navigating criminal and civil justice systems, including accompanying them to hearings as requested.
• Accompany clients to law-enforcement agencies and advocate on their behalf as requested.
• Assist clients with filing Protection From Abuse petitions, accompany them to Southwestern PA Legal Services, and advocate for them at hearings.
• Stay current on laws, statutes, and local procedures relating to domestic violence.
• Develop and maintain working relationships with legal and law-enforcement systems and assist with trainings.
• Participate in community outreach and systems advocacy for the Lethality Assessment Program.
• Participate in local, state, and national advocacy activities on behalf of domestic violence victims to increase awareness among policymakers and the public.
• As relevant to the worksite, provide direct services using an educative, supportive, and trauma-informed model, including hotline counseling, safety planning, information and referrals, accompaniment, individual advocacy and empowerment counseling, legal advocacy, transportation, support groups, and victim compensation assistance.
• As relevant to the worksite, provide intakes and transportation as needed and arrange hotline coverage when warranted.
• During hotline counseling, provide education and information about other community options, particularly when DVSSP has no available beds.
• Supervise and train worksite volunteers as directed.
• Report child abuse as required by law and reinforce mandated reporting responsibilities and procedures with volunteers.
• Maintain detailed and timely electronic counseling records and prepare and submit statistics and reports as instructed.
• Maintain confidentiality of facility, staff, volunteers, and clients at all times.
• At the safe house, encourage and supervise clients’ housekeeping chores and perform general housekeeping duties when residents are unavailable or away, prioritizing direct client services.
• When clients are unavailable, remove trash and recyclables for pickup, wash and dry bedding after exits, and ensure spaces are clean as clients leave.
• Complete training as directed by the supervisor and perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Flexible scheduling.
• Paid training.
• Competitive pay.
• Annual education opportunities.
• Internal advancement.
• Comprehensive benefits package, including PTO, sick time, and use of an agency vehicle for work-related travel.
• Pension, life insurance, extended paid leave, medical, dental, and vision benefits, and eligibility for the Student Loan Forgiveness Program for full-time employees and certain part-time levels.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Part-time
• Education Level: No Education Listed