DV Court Liaison

Metropolitan Family Services; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 32,000 - 34,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical Coverage

Dental Coverage

Vision Coverage

HSA contributions

Teladoc services

401K match

Job summary

Metropolitan Family Services seeks a Part-Time In-Person DV Court Liaison for the Jane Addams DV Court Advocacy Program at the Centralized DV Courthouse in Chicago. The role provides direct services to survivors, including crisis intervention, safety planning and court support.

The position requires an Associate’s degree (Bachelor’s preferred) and 2 years’ relevant experience, preferably in gender-based violence or criminal justice.

Qualifications

• Associate’s degree plus 2 years’ work experience in gender-based violence or criminal justice fields (required).
• Bachelor’s degree in Human Services, Criminal Justice, or related field preferred; prior DV field experience favored.
• Illinois CDVP certification preferred.
• 40-hour Domestic Violence training preferred at hire; to be completed before contact with DV clients.

Responsibilities

• Provide direct services to survivors of domestic abuse, including crisis intervention, safety planning, advocacy, and referrals.
• Assist clients through court procedures related to Orders of Protection, DV, divorce, and family court.
• Support survivors with resources and information, ensuring access to community programs.
• Help prepare petitions for Orders of Protection and accompany clients through court processes.
• Develop knowledge of MFS programs and coordinate linkages with services inside and outside MFS.
• May train program staff, volunteers, or interns and conduct public education presentations.
• Complete paperwork timely (intakes, case notes, documentation) for client files.
• Meet contractual and reporting requirements and provide accurate statistical data for grants.
• Keep current on DV field developments and participate in relevant trainings/workshops.
• Advocate for clients with agencies and the legal system, maintaining professionalism.

Skills

Crisis intervention

Advocacy

Trauma-informed care

Communication skills

Team collaboration

Self-care

Bilingual/bicultural

Education

Associate’s degree

Bachelor’s degree

CDVP certification

Job description

We are now hiring for a Part-Time In-Person DV Court Liaison to join our Jane Addams DV Court Advocacy Program Team housed out of the Centralized DV Courthouse.

SALARY : The average starting salary for this position will fall in the range of $23-$25 per hour . Where candidates fall i this range will be based on the skill; and experience level.

Essential Job Functions

• Provides direct services to survivors of domestic abuse and/or their children, including crisis intervention, safety planning, emotional support, advocacy, information, and/or referrals.
• Assists and accompanies clients and witnesses through court procedures relating to Orders of Protection, domestic violence, divorce and family court.
• Offers support and information for survivors of domestic violence.
• Assists clients in preparing petitions for Orders of Protection; accompanies them throughout the court process; prepares Orders for the judge.
• Develops and maintains a strong working knowledge of MFS programs and community based resources. Facilitates linkages with services both within MFS and in the community.
• May assist in training program staff, volunteers, and/or interns. May conduct public education presentations, police trainings, or other educational offerings related to court advocacy services.
• Admi­nisters any required outcome tools at their designated intervals.
• Attends any mandatory group supervision and program/agency meetings.
• Participates in a team-oriented approach by collaborating with departmental staff and other programs to provide comprehensive services for clients.
• Completes paperwork in a timely manner, including intakes, case notes and other documentation needed for a client’s file.
• Works within contract, grant, and program expectations, including meeting timelines and reporting requirements. Provides timely, accurate statistical information for program grants.
• Remains cognizant of current developments in the field of domestic violence. Attends appropriate workshops, conferences, etc. to enhance professional development and understanding of issues in the field.
• Works closely with and advocates on behalf of clients with other agencies and the legal system (e.g. State’s Attorneys; Legal Aid; DCFS; police and Sheriff’s departments; private attorneys; investigators; etc.). Represents Metropolitan Family Services and the domestic violence program with a high degree of professionalism, an awareness of courtroom etiquette, and an understanding of the expectations of the criminal justice system.
• Provides services in accordance with the Illinois Certified Domestic Violence Professionals’ code of ethics.
• May perform other specialized duties as assigned, which may be specific to the needs of the particular site or program where this position is based (e.g. court follow-up contacts, etc.

Qualifications

• Required: Associate’s degree plus 2 years’ work experience, preferably in the field of gender-based violence and/or a criminal justice-related capacity.
• Preferred: Bachelor’s degree in Human Services, Criminal Justice, or a related field, with experience in the legal system or the field of gender-based violence strongly preferred. Prior experience in social services or domestic violence field preferred.
• Experience with Orders of Protection and/or individual domestic violence support is particularly preferred. Illinois Certified Domestic Violence Professional (CDVP) certification preferred.
• Training: 40-hour Domestic Violence training preferred at time of hire. This training is required at first opportunity upon hire and must be completed prior to any contact with DV program clients or their personally identifying information.

Skills/Abilities

• Knowledge of community resources, advocacy and crisis intervention skills, and an understanding of trauma and Trauma-Informed Care is beneficial. Is a strong advocate for survivors within the criminal justice system.
• Empathic, non-judgmental, service-oriented attitude in work with clients. Recognizes domestic violence survivors as the experts of their own lives and partners with clients to build upon their strengths and to identify and implement interventions that will increase their safety.
• Ability to respond appropriately in varied situations, multi-task, and function with minimal supervision.
• Ability to work and problem-solve both independently and collaboratively within a team environment, demonstrating professionalism, flexibility, and mature judgment.
• Must demonstrate self-awareness, insight, and commitment to ongoing professional growth. Models healthy boundaries and good self-care with clients and coworkers.
• Bilingual/bicultural preferred, and may be required for particular programs or sites.
• Must have excellent verbal and written communication skills and demonstrate understanding and effectiveness in working with diverse populations.
• Additional skills may be required specific to the particular program or site where this position is based.

Additional Requirements

• Satisfactorily pass all relevant screening and criminal background checks.

Transportation/Travel Requirements

• Driving for work required with transportation of clients in a personally owned vehicle. Travel between sites required.

Physical Demands

• While performing the essential duties of this job, the employee is required to sit and stand for sustained periods of time, frequently talk, hear, use hands and fingers to feel, handle and operate objects or controls, and occasionally stand, bend, stretch, stoop, kneel and crouch. The employee is required to have close visual acuity to perform an activity such as preparing and analyzing data and figures, transcribing and viewing a computer terminal. The employee must be able to walk up and down stairs to clients' apartments. The employee may occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.

Benefits

Metropolitan Family Services puts our people first with a top-of-the-line benefits package.

• Medical Coverage, Guardian Dental Coverage, and VSP Vision Coverage.
• Metropolitan Family Services contributions of $2,000 to individual, and $4,000 to family, HSA accounts, pro-rated to your benefits start date.
• FREE General Medicine and Behavioral Health Teladoc services provided to all team members.
• Ascensus 401K plan services with a 4% employer match, vested at 100% on day one of eligibility.

And so much more!

More About Us: Metropolitan is Illinois' first comprehensive human services agency and reaches more than 122,970 individuals and families in Chicago, Evanston/Skokie, the southwest suburbs, and DuPage County with services promoting education, economic stability, emotional wellness, and empowerment.

Verbal and Written Communication

Advanced

Interpersonal Skills

Advanced

Team Player

Works well as a member of a group

Innovative

Consistently introduces new ideas and demonstrates original thinking

Enthusiastic

Shows intense and eager enjoyment and interest

Dedicated

Devoted to a task or purpose with loyalty or integrity

Goal Completion

Inspired to perform well by the completion of tasks

Work-Life Balance

Inspired to perform well by having ample time to pursue work and interests outside of work

Self-Starter

Inspired to perform without outside help

Ability to Make an Impact

Inspired to perform well by the ability to contribute to the success of a project or the organization

Education

Associates or better in Criminal Justice.

Experience

DV and/or court Experience

Preferred

Crisis intervention

Equal Opportunity Employer
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