DV Legal/Medical Advocate

Survivor Empowerment Center; Carbondale (IL); On-site; USD 36,000 - 48,000; Full time

Job summary

Empoweringsurvivors in Carbondale, IL is seeking an advocate to provide information and assistance for Orders of Protection to walk-in and residential clients, coordinate legal advocacy activities, and train staff on domestic violence issues. The role includes interviewing clients, guiding options under applicable acts, accompanying clients to court, and organizing community advocacy efforts.

A Bachelor's degree in a human services field is preferred, with strong public speaking and

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a human service field or equivalent experience.
• Counseling or legal advocacy experience and training preferred.
• Strong public speaking skills required.
• Knowledge of sexual assault/domestic violence issues and previous training preferred.
• Strong people and organizational skills with attention to detail.

Responsibilities

• Provides individual advocacy on behalf of domestic violence survivors.
• Interviews clients seeking Orders of Protection, determines eligibility for services, explains options under the Illinois Domestic Violence Act, Karinas Law, Crime Victim Compensation, and the process in obtaining an Order of Protection, assesses and refers for services to other Shelter staff or community resources.
• Assists clients in filing charges and obtaining Orders of Protection, including accompanying them to court.
• Trains Survivor Empowerment Center staff and volunteers on the Illinois Domestic Violence Act, Karinas Law, and Crime Victim Compensation as requested by the Domestic Violence/Shelter Program Manager.
• Organizes, with the support of other court advocates, Court-Watch programming for counties served.
• Participates and disseminates information from legislative alerts as directed by ICADV.

Skills

Public speaking

Counseling

Legal advocacy

Confidentiality

Teamwork

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in human services

Job description

Summary

Responsible for providing information and assistance in obtaining Orders of Protection to both walk-in and residential clients at the Shelter Program, coordinating legal advocacy activities with other court advocates, and providing professional training and advocacy within health care settings in regards to victims of domestic violence.

Mon - Fri 8am - 4pm

Essential Functions

1. Provides individual advocacy on behalf of domestic violence survivors.
2. Interviews clients seeking Orders of Protection, determines eligibility for services, explains options under the Illinois Domestic Violence Act, Karinas Law, Crime Victim Compensation, and the process in obtaining an Order of Protection, assesses and refers for services to other Shelter staff or community resources.
3. Assists clients in filing charges and obtaining Orders of Protection, including accompanying them to court.
4. Trains Survivor Empowerment Center staff and volunteers on the Illinois Domestic Violence Act, Karinas Law, and Crime Victim Compensation as requested by the Domestic Violence/Shelter Program Manager.
5. Organizes, with the support of other court advocates, Court-Watch programming for counties served.
6. Participates and disseminates information from legislative alerts as directed by ICADV.
7. Collects statistical information in Criminal Justice systems for counties served.
8. Provides institutional advocacy on behalf of domestic violence survivors.
9. Facilitates professional trainings on legal and medical advocacy issues, Orders of Protection, for Law Enforcement, State's Attorneys, circuit clerks, victim advocates, and medical professionals.
10. Makes appropriate referrals to Land of Lincoln and private attorneys.
11. Documents all contacts with clients in individual client files according to funding standards, maintains up-to-date case records in accordance with the procedures of Survivor Empowerment Center, and provides this documentation as requested.
12. Attends all community and/or interagency meetings as directed by the Domestic Violence Program Manager and/or the Executive Director.
13. Serves as a back-up to other court advocates in case of illness or vacation.
14. Helps victims obtain medical services and documentation of injuries.
15. Performs other related duties as assigned by management.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree preferably in a human service field or equivalent experience
• Counseling or legal advocacy experience and training preferred
• Strong public speaking skills required
• Knowledge of sexual assault/domestic violence issues and previous training on those issues preferred
• Strong people and organizational skills with the ability to set priorities and give attention to detail
• Ability to communicate orally in conversation both in person and by telephone
• Ability to work well with people from a variety of racial, ethnic, socioeconomic, sexual orientation, and age groups, and with individuals who are differently-abled
• Ability to deal with stress-related situations
• Ability to interact with others and remain focused while dealing with multiple objectives and timelines
• Ability to maintain confidentiality
• Ability to work in a team setting and embrace the concept of teamwork
• Must have a demonstrated commitment to women and non-violence through previous volunteer work or employment preferred
• Willingness to complete the required 64-hours of training on working with domestic violence and sexual assault survivors within 6-months of employment
• Must have current driver's license, car with current automobile insurance, and a willingness to travel (30%)