SAFEPLAN Court Advocate - (South Central Courts)

New Hope, Inc.; Westborough (MA); On-site; USD 40,000 - 62,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Dental insurance

Health insurance

Life insurance

Vision insurance

Paid time off

Retirement plan

Flexible spending account

Job summary

New Hope, Inc. seeks a SAFEPLAN Advocate to assist survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking who seek protective orders. The role is based in Westborough, MA, with regional duties across the South-Central area and occasional travel to other court locations.

The Advocate will provide crisis intervention, safety planning, legal system navigation, and referrals to essential services. A Bachelor’s degree is preferred; bilingual candidates are highly valued.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree preferred in social work, criminal justice, or related field.
• Experience in advocacy or legal services is advantageous.
• Familiarity with Massachusetts restraining orders and harassment laws.

Responsibilities

• Provide crisis assessment and intervention for survivors seeking protective orders.
• Screen clients for eligibility and connect them with SAFEPLAN services.
• Develop individualized safety plans for survivors and children.
• Accompany and advocate for survivors in court proceedings.
• Make referrals to relevant domestic violence and social services.
• Maintain professional boundaries and collaborate with court personnel.

Skills

Crisis intervention

Court advocacy

Active listening

Travel flexibility

Bilingual

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

Scope of Work

The primary objective of the SAFEPLAN advocate is responsible for assisting survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking who seek protection through the court system. This position is primarily assigned to Westborough District Court; however, as a member of New Hope's regional SAFEPLAN team, the Advocate will be trained to work across all courts within the South-Central region, including Westborough, Uxbridge, Dudley, Milford, and East Brookfield. To ensure consistent service delivery and adequate court coverage, the Advocate may be required to travel to and provide support at other court locations within the region as needed. Flexibility, collaboration, and the ability to travel between court sites are essential components of this role. The role provides crisis intervention, safety planning, legal system navigation, and referrals to essential services. It is expected that the SAFEPLAN Advocate’s work reflects and promotes New Hope’s core values: respect, teamwork, empowerment, and professionalism.

Primary Duties

• Assist survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking who come to court seeking protective orders by: providing crisis assessment and intervention, assisting survivors in completing protective order application forms, providing information for survivors on legal options, and the process to obtain a protective order.
• Screen potential clients for appropriateness and eligibility to receive SAFEPLAN services.
• Conduct comprehensive safety planning for survivors and their children that is individualized for each client and consists of ways for the client to remain safe in different situations.
• Accompany, support, and advocate for survivors in court during civil proceedings.
• Make referrals and connections for appropriate follow-ups to domestic violence services, other social service programs, and the District Attorney’s office as necessary including counseling, group support, legal services or District Attorney Victim Witness Advocates.
• Maintain appropriate and professional boundaries with individuals receiving SAFEPLAN services.
• Establish professional and collaborative working relationships with court personnel and others including, but not limited to, clerks, judges, attorneys, prosecutors, security officers and victim witness advocates.
• Exercise empathetic and active listening skills.
• Work under the empowerment model to inform survivors of their rights and options as a survivor of domestic violence.
• Discuss the dynamics of abuse with survivors of domestic violence.
• Make follow-up calls to clients, and on behalf of clients to referral sources, and at times follow up with law enforcement to verify that protective orders have been served.
• Adhere to confidentiality policies, recordkeeping and SAFEPLAN Program Guidelines/statistical reporting.
• Be knowledgeable of changes in local, state, and national law as well as legislative issues relating to the provision of assistance to survivors facing court processes and provide training and support to SAFEPLAN volunteers.
• Collaborate with other SAFEPLAN advocates and volunteers to assure coverage in New Hope's eight represented District Courts, in accordance with the court coverage agreement.
• Attend regular supervision with the direct service supervisor regarding specific cases, day-to-day activities, performance evaluations, or case related guidance and overall quality of work issues.
• Attend MOVA quarterly regional meetings and continuing education sessions to discuss systemic advocacy issues and to receive ongoing training.
• Complete statistical data reporting as required.
• Perform other SAFEPLAN related tasks as requested by the Senior SAFEPLAN Advocate and/or Senior Management.
• Travel and provide back‑up coverage at all the courts we serve throughout lower Worcester County and occasionally other office locations, ensuring consistency in survivor support services.

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in social work, criminal justice, or a related field is preferred, but not required. Relevant experience in advocacy or legal services may subsistute for formal education.
• Prior experience in domestic violence advocacy, legal advocacy, or working in a court setting is highly preferred.
• Knowledge of legal issues affecting survivors of domestic violence.
• Bilingual highly preferred.
• Familiarity with domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking issues, as well as knowledge of Massachusetts laws related to restraining orders and harassment prevention.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to sit, stand, and travel for extended periods.
• Ability to carry light materials such as case files and client resources

At New Hope we celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We strive to provide equal employment opportunity to all persons regardless of age, color, national origin, citizenship status, physical or mental disability, race, religion, creed, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, genetic information, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law. In addition, New Hope will provide reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals living with disabilities.

New Hope’s goal is to increase representation of women, people of color, LGBTQIA+, veterans and persons living with disabilities. Our programs are designed to comply with all applicable federal, state and local laws, directives and regulations and cover all human resource actions including employment, compensation, benefits, training, education, tuition aid, transfers, promotions and social/recreational programs.

Job Type

Full‑time

Benefits

• Dental insurance
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Work Location

In person