Legal Advocate

Servicing Bureau, Marshall, Putnam, Stark and Henry Counties, the Legal Advocate is responsible for providing counseling, crisis intervention, information, and assistance with completion of emergency and follow-up Orders of Protection. This job role requires the use of independent judgment in all service-related responsibilities. The Legal Advocate is not a lawyer or medical professional; therefore, legal, and medical advice is not given to clients. This position will primarily serve victims in Henry County (in our Cambridge and Kewanee satellite offices) with occasional Bureau, Marshall, Putnam, and Stark County coverage.

**Essential Responsibilities**

These include but are not limited to:

- Document all client contact, advocacy, referrals, and community contacts as necessary and according to internal and external requirements.
- Serve as liaison to and on behalf of the client with law enforcement and court officials.
- Accompany clients to meetings with law enforcement, court officials, and to appropriate court proceedings.
- Maintain client confidentiality as defined in Illinois Domestic Violence Act.
- Provide crisis intervention and transportation to adult clients and their dependent children as needed.
- Provide individual and group counseling to victims of domestic violence regarding IDVA, legal remedies, crime compensation act, criminal sanctions, and other related areas.
- Identify, explain, and clarify options available to victims, including reporting to police and state’s attorneys’ offices.
- Assist clients in preparation for official law enforcement and court related proceedings.
- Provide clients with assistance and support for completion of emergency and follow-up orders of protection.
- Assist clients and provides emotional support when violations of orders of protection occur.
- Provide professional training to law enforcement agencies and medical professionals.
- Provide on-call shelter coverage for 1st, 2nd, or 3rd shifts, which may include
- weekends & holidays.
- Holiday shift rotation for agency coverage.

**Other Responsibilities**

These include but are not limited to:

- Frequent local and occasional national travel (training) may be required.
- Establish and maintain effective working relationships with local law enforcement and criminal justice officials.
- Develop and/or build upon a list of potential client support agencies and partners.
- Advocate for criminal justice system policies and procedures that are supportive of the needs of domestic violence victims, Illinois Domestic Violence Act, and availability of program services.
- Serve as a Mandated Reporter.
- Other duties as assigned by Program Manager.

**Qualification Requirements**
- High School diploma or 1-3 years of experience in social services field.
- Ability to assess levels of emotional distress and respond accordingly.
- Excellent organizational and computer skills.
- Knowledge of domestic violence best practices and survivors support strategies.
- Excellent oral and written communications skills.
- Successful completion of sixty hour combined domestic violence/sexual assault training by an ICDVP certified training site.
- Ability to work independently as well as in collaboration with teammates.
- Excellent written, verbal, and counseling communication skills.
- Experience, ability, and willingness to communicate and work well with survivors from a variety of racial, cultural, and economic backgrounds and with various religious beliefs, life styles, sexual orientations, age variance, and differing abilities.
- Ability to maintain professional boundaries and agency confidentiality.
- Possession of a valid Illinois Driver’s License and proof of insurance.
- Be able to comply and pass a background check with a drug test.
- Flexibility with work schedule as may vary to client and/or agency needs.

Pay: $19.75 - $20.25 per hour

**Benefits**:

- Dental insurance
- Employee assistance program
- Health insurance
- Health savings account
- Life insurance
- Paid sick time
- Paid time off
- Retirement plan
- Vision insurance

Schedule:

- 8 hour shift
- Monday to Friday

Travel requirement:

- Travel

Work Location: In person