Bilingual SAFEPLAN Advocate

HAWC Healing Abuse Working for Change; Salem (MA); On-site; USD 48,000 - 52,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Vacation time

Holidays

Sick leave

Personal days

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Family & Medical Leave

Disability insurance

Employee Assistance

Life Insurance

HRA

FSA

401K

Job summary

HAWC Healing Abuse Working for Change, based in Massachusetts, seeks a Bilingual SAFEPLAN Advocate to provide crisis intervention and advocacy for survivors in Lynn, Salem, and Essex County courts. The role supports 209A/258E orders and requires strong bilingual communication.

Reporting to the Senior SAFEPLAN Advocate, you will coordinate safety plans, referrals, and coordination with MOVA and court partners. This is a full-time, union-adjacent position with comprehensive benefits.

Qualifications

• Bilingual Spanish and English required for direct client contact.
• Commitment/experience working with victims of domestic violence.
• Knowledge of domestic violence and crisis intervention.
• Knowledge of the judicial system and abuse prevention order process.
• Strong interpersonal, verbal and written skills.

Responsibilities

• Provide crisis assessment and intervention for survivors.
• Explain legal options and the process to obtain protective orders.
• Assist with completing protective order applications.
• Accompany and advocate in court during civil proceedings.
• Create comprehensive safety plans for each client.
• Refer to follow-up services and resources as appropriate.

Skills

Bilingual Spanish & English

Victim support experience

Crisis intervention

Judicial system knowledge

Interpersonal communication

Independent & teamwork

HAWC pre-service training

MOVA SAFEPLAN Certification

Bicultural (preferred)

Education

HAWC pre-service training (M.G.L. 233 s.20(k))

MOVA SAFEPLAN Certification

Job description

Healing Abuse Working for Change, Inc., creates social change by taking action against personal and societal patterns of violence and oppression. Since 1978, HAWC has provided free services and support to victims of domestic abuse on Massachusetts’ North Shore to help them make informed, independent decisions about their futures. More information is available at www.hawcdv.org.

Position Title

HAWC Bilingual SAFEPLAN Advocate

Department

HAWC Legal Services

Reports to

Senior SAFEPLAN Advocate

Effective Date

07/06/2026

Salary

$23-$25/hour based on experience and includes HAWC’s compensation for bilingual language skills

Summary Of Benefits

• 3 weeks of vacation per year during first year; increases at year 5, carryover of 2 weeks
• 13 Holidays off per year
• 13 Sick days per year
• 5 Personal days per year
• 70% Health Insurance paid by HAWC
• 70% Dental Insurance paid by HAWC
• 70% Paid Family & Medical Leave paid by HAWC
• 100% Short & Long Term Disability paid by HAWC
• 100% Employee Assistance Plan paid by HAWC
• 100% paid Life Insurance (1x annual salary up to $50,000)
• Health Reimbursement Account (HAWC pays first 50% of deductible)
• Flexible Spending Account
• 401K Plan

Position Summary

This full-time position provides crisis intervention, advocacy and referral services to survivors of domestic violence. The SAFEPLAN Advocate will be based in the Lynn District Court but will also work in Salem District Court and the Essex County Probate and Family Court providing assistance to victims seeking 209A restraining orders or 258E harassment prevention orders. The position reports to the HAWC Senior Safeplan Advocate.

The SAFEPLAN Program is a court-based civil advocacy program created by Massachusetts Office for Victim Assistance (MOVA) in 1995. SAFEPLAN is a partnership between MOVA and community-based domestic violence and sexual assault programs. SAFEPLAN Advocates are housed in district and probate and family courts throughout the Commonwealth, and work in 2 collaboration with court personnel, district attorneys’ offices, and other allied criminal justice and social service agencies. Together, they provide a system of advocacy for victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking considering a 209A restraining order or a 258E harassment prevention order. SAFEPLAN Advocates are available in one of the three SAFEPLAN courts HAWC serves during the court’s open hours.

Position Experience

• Bilingual Spanish & English – Required
• Bicultural – preferred
• Commitment/experience working with victims of domestic violence
• Knowledge of domestic violence and crisis intervention
• Knowledge of the judicial system and abuse prevention order process
• Strong interpersonal, verbal and written skills
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team
• Completion of HAWC’s pre-service training in compliance with M.G.L. 233 s.20(k)
• Complete additional legal advocacy training and MOVA SAFEPLAN Certification

Position Details

Assist victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking who come to court seeking protective orders through:

• Crisis assessment and intervention services
• Information on legal options and the process to obtain a protective order
• Assistance in completing protective order application forms
• Accompaniment and advocacy in court during civil proceedings
• Availability to assist victims, in accordance with the court coverage agreement
• Creation of a comprehensive, individual safety plan with each SAFEPLAN client, whether or not the client chooses to pursue the protective order
• Referrals and connection to appropriate follow-up services and resources deemed appropriate for each individual client, or by client request including, but not limited to other services provided by HAWC such as counseling, group support, legal services; or other programs outside of HAWC; or District Attorney Victim Witness Advocates
• Discussion of the dynamics of abuse with victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking
• Advocate safety is paramount. Advocates are not required to stand with anyone with whom they feel unsafe
• If an advocate does not wish to stand with someone, they can offer him/ her general information about the 209A process and give him/her a referral to the HAWC hotline

Additional roles and responsibilities to enhance service delivery to victims

• Development and advancement of professional and collaborative working relationships including, but not limited to, clerks, judges, attorneys, prosecutors, security officers, and victim witness advocates 3
• Adherence to HAWC guidelines and protocols to ensure client confidentiality
• Attendance at regular supervision with the HAWC Senior Safeplan Advocate regarding specific cases, day-to-day activities, performance evaluations, or case related guidance and overall quality of work issues
• Attendance at MOVA quarterly regional meetings and continuing education sessions to discuss systemic advocacy issues and to receive ongoing training
• Knowledge of the SAFEPLAN Policies and Procedures Manual and job-related tasks within the boundaries set forth by the manual
• Complete statistical data forms for every client contact
• Performance of other SAFEPLAN-related tasks, duties and assignments as requested by HAWC and MOVA
• Able to flex hours to meet position responsibilities

HAWC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. People of color, LGBTQ people, bicultural and bilingual people, people with disabilities, and survivors of partner abuse are encouraged to apply. HAWC provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, gender or gender identity, familial status, disability, ancestry, age, marital status, public assistance status, sexual orientation, veteran history/military status, genetic information or membership in any group protected by federal and state law.