Client Advocate

Justice At Last
is the only nonprofit law firm in the San Francisco Bay Area exclusively serving the legal needs of survivors of human trafficking, regardless of their age, sex, gender identity, abilities and equity needs, nationality, or type of trafficking. Founded in 2015, Justice At Last (JAL) provides free legal representation and support services as a mobile practice that meets our clients where they are at within their own communities. We specialize in the areas of law that have been identified by our clients and survivor leaders as being the most critical and least available. Justice At Last is a diverse, growing team of individuals working to making impactful change in the anti-trafficking field.

The Client Advocate (CA)
works in tandem with JAL attorneys to provide multidisciplinary services to our clients. Our model recognizes the impact of trauma on survivors pursuing legal remedies and utilizes both attorneys and advocates working together to actively address barriers in accessing justice for our clients. The ideal candidate will be exceptionally familiar with screening and identifying survivors of trafficking, providing case management, de-escalating crises, advocating on behalf of clients, and connecting clients to community-based resources. CAs are responsible for working with clients to formulate individualized case plans that assess their needs and promote progress towards goals, self-sufficiency, and long-term stabilization. This position requires thorough knowledge and understanding of human rights, and utilizing a strengths-based and trauma-informed approach to serve and empower survivors. CAs employ key social work values including survivor empowerment; the right to self-determination; setting and maintaining strong professional boundaries; and pursuing robust work-life balance through building a practice of self-care and resiliency.
This position retains attorney-client privilege afforded under Justice At Last and, as such, is not a mandated reporter
.

Responsibilities include:

Case Management

• Provide trauma-informed, client-centered services for trafficked persons to enhance stability throughout their legal representation.
• Manage initial contact for new clients, from performing conflicts checks and screening potential clients for service eligibility to providing initial safety planning and resource linkage.
• Conduct comprehensive needs assessment and craft individualized service plan; support clients in accessing a wide breadth of resources including mental health services, California Victim Compensation program, and public benefits.
• Specialize advocacy for clients dealing with court systems; from education and empowerment around legal systems and processes to arranging transportation, managing logistics, and providing emotional support services during court proceedings.
• Coordinate and collaborate with JAL attorneys as part of a multidisciplinary model of service provision; provide guidance and consultation to attorneys on trauma-informed practices.
• Manage case files and provide clear, detailed progress notes in a database on a daily basis which are protected under attorney-client privilege.

Community Engagement, Advocacy and Outreach

• Identify barriers to services and advocate on behalf of clients (i.e. culturally and linguistically appropriate services) while developing and maintaining positive working relationships with key community partners.
• Utilize trauma-informed, client-centered principles to ensure protection of identity, privilege, and confidentiality in line with client's safety, needs, and preferences.
• Participate in outreach, including development and delivery of technical assistance and training to community-based organizations, government, and law enforcement officials, and others as needed.

Skills and Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Social Science, Human Sciences, Social Welfare, or relative fields
  or four (4) years of experience directly related to the responsibilities specified;
  Master of Arts in an interdisciplinary field, i.e., Social Work, Public Policy, or Public Administration, is preferred.
• Minimum one (1) year of relevant experience in the anti-trafficking field serving the needs of diverse populations, preferably in a community-based setting serving under-resourced communities.
• Bilingual proficiency (Spanish)
  required
  ; non-bilingual candidates will not be considered during the hiring process.
• Ability to maintain a positive, collaborative, and professional approach to working with clients, colleagues, and partners; work effectively in team-oriented, dynamic work environment.
• Ability to assess and de-escalate stressful situations in a trauma-informed manner.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, and high degree of organization related to the management of multiple clients, priorities, and projects.
• A working understanding of culturally humility as it pertains to working with BIPOC and other historically marginalized/underserved communities preferred.
• Access to a vehicle, insurance, and a valid driver's license; ability to travel throughout the San Francisco Bay Area, Central Valley (Merced), and other nearby counties as needed.

Don't meet the exact qualifications? We still encourage you to apply. Research tells us that

communities of the global majority – Black, Indigenous, and all people of color – tend to opt out of applying for jobs they are qualified for because they don't meet the exact requirements. JAL is dedicated to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace. 
We strongly encourage individuals from traditionally underrepresented communities to apply including survivors of trafficking. Justice At Last is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion. Justice At Last does not discriminate based on race, color, religious creed, sex, gender, gender expression, gender identity, age, national origin, ancestry, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, military status, prior contact with the criminal justice system, or any other basis prohibited by law. However, for this position, the candidate must not have been a client of Justice At Last within the last 2 years.

Hours and Compensation:

This is a full-time, 40-hours per week, at-will, exempt, remote-first position with expectations that staff will work in our offices or in the field as needed (i.e. accompanying clients to court for testimonies). JAL prioritizes a competitive annual salary of $70,304 including a
generous paid time off policy which includes a bilingual stipend for priority languages, sick leave, parental leave, 14 holidays each year - including a birthday holiday - a two-week winter closure of the entire office at the end of each year, quarterly staff wellness days (4 days total annually), and vacation days (starting at 12 days and increasing with additional years of employment). JAL offers a competitive and comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, vision, life insurance and AD&D. JAL's benefits package includes 100% coverage for most health plans including Kaiser. JAL offers a 403(b) employee retirement benefit with a 4% match; professional development opportunities; and training and conference attendance opportunities. Mileage, parking, and toll costs are reimbursed when working in the community along with a modest monthly stipend for home internet use during work hours. 

Justice At Last has a Vaccination & Booster Mandate Policy and proof of a COVID-19 vaccination or a reasonable medical or religious accommodation must be provided prior to hire date.

Perks of Working at Justice At Last:

• Part of a multi-disciplinary team doing groundbreaking social justice work on behalf of trafficked persons and the opportunity to practice human rights, harm reduction strategies, and advocating for systemic changes that can help change the trajectory of clients' lives.
• Professional development, including trainings and conferences, and meaningful opportunity for growth within JAL.
• Ongoing access and support around self-care resources and an organizational culture focused on mitigating vicarious trauma, compassion fatigue, and burnout by building a culture of resilience
  .