JOB TITLE: Legal Advocate
REPORTS TO: Director of Programs
Provide high-quality legal advocacy-related services for case management clients with complex challenges to help them achieve short-term and intermediate outcomes toward longer-term goals. Legal advocacy services focus on keeping survivors safe as they navigate the district, probate, immigration and law-enforcement legal systems, and include assessments, supportive services and referrals.
Perform job in accordance with the mission, goals and objectives, core values and personnel policies of HarborCOV. Support and participate in the miscellaneous tasks of the organization not necessarily defined in job description. Carry out all job tasks collaboratively and cooperatively based on an understanding of culturally competent, strength-based strategies within an economic and social justice framework.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
• Provide intensive case management, consistent advocacy, referrals and follow-up through specialized services for survivors with complex legal-related challenges and needs in accordance with HarborCOV’s survivor-centered, trauma-informed goals, objectives and core values
• Work with survivors to develop individual goal plans to achieve short-term and intermediate outcomes that support them toward longer-term stabilization
• Serve on internal and three-city high-risk assessment team
• Serve as key point person for direct service staff on HarborCOV’s specialized legal projects and activities, including law students and attorneys
• Coordinate on-site court coverage in our local catchment areas
• Support direct service staff through training and up-to-date information sharing around developing strategies to address legal system obstacles and access resources
• Collect, update, and facilitate participants' use of local and area resources for legal services
• Provide hotline, on-call, walk-in, intake and court-based coverage, and coordinate consistent presence at local courts
• Coordinate training and provide consistent supervision for volunteers and interns in the area of legal advocacy
• When appropriate, develop and facilitate regular in-house workshops and trainings for emergency, transitional and permanent housing, and community-based residents, and co-facilitate educational groups and activities
• Record accurate daily data on services and client progress in organizational data management system
• Collect, maintain and share up-to-date information to facilitate clients’ access to and use of local and area resources for education and employment, legal, housing, health and other community services.
• Actively participate in weekly supervision, all-staff and direct service meetings and regularly required trainings to promote continuity in high-quality services, meaningful leadership and a supportive agency-wide culture that fosters accountability and ongoing skill-building
• Adhere to strict organizational personnel, confidentiality and conflict of interest policies
• Work with the staff, Board of Directors, volunteers and interns to promote understanding and advancement of the HarborCOV mission, philosophy and programmatic goals.
• Support agency-wide culture that fosters accountability and ongoing skill-building.
• Other duties as assigned.
COMPETENCIES
• Above-average knowledge of 209A restraining and no-abuse, probate and immigration-related issues affecting survivors of domestic violence and the associated tools and resources necessary to support client success
• Understanding domestic violence dynamics, and how these affect different populations and intersect with racial and social justice.
• Understanding of client-centered approaches that focus on the client’s current strengths and needs for facilitating realistic and empowering goals, along with fostering long-term relationships and impacts.
• Effective, supportive and culturally competent supervision skills
• Effective group facilitation and public-speaking skills
• Ability to develop and maintain strategic community collaborations relevant to legal advocacy work
• Demonstrated understanding of culturally competent, strength-based strategies within an anti-racism, and economic and social justice framework
• Knowledge of community-based resources, especially in low-income communities.
• Ability to assess, deal constructively, manage and/or de-escalate crises using a trauma-informed approach
• Strong listening, communication, and solution-focused problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work both independently and in a team environment.
• Demonstrated understanding of culturally competent, strength-based strategies within an anti-racism, and economic and social justice framework.
• Strong organizational skills, including the ability to work calmly under pressure.
• Be a team player with enthusiasm about working in a linguistically and culturally diverse environment.
• Experience with and proficiency in Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, and Microsoft Office.
• Experience with Clarity, HMIS comparable databases, or other data entry in the social work field is a plus.
QUALIFICATIONS
We hire for life experience. People of color, trans people, survivors of partner abuse especially encouraged to apply. The following qualifications are for an ideal candidate, but we will consider all types of experience and will absolutely consider candidates who don’t meet all the qualifications. An ideal candidate will:
• Bilingual in Spanish and English required
• Bachelor's Degree or Associates with three years relevant experience in the DV field preferred.
• Case Management or direct service experience of at least 2 years in the DV field.
• Social Justice and cultural competence/ awareness /and willingness to learn more about it.
• Must be familiar with the impact of homelessness, substance abuse, and mental health in domestic violence issues.
• Must have experience working with and advocating for low-income families.
• Demonstrated group facilitation skills.
• Strong crisis management, problem-solving, and interpersonal skills.
• Knowledge of Greater Boston area human services.
• Proficient written and oral communication skills.
• Some computer literacies with a working knowledge of Data Base input and utilization, word
• processing, e-mail, and Internet.
• A valid driver's license and access to a vehicle preferred.
HOURS: 35 hours per week. For positions that work five days per week, this includes three in the office and two working remotely. For positions that work four days per week, this includes three in the office and one working remotely. Some flexibility with hours required to match client needs.
SALARY AND BENEFITS:
• Full-time position $50,000- $55,000 annually depending on experience
• Health, dental, vision insurance
• 401k retirement plan
• 12 floating holidays customizable to the employee
• 12 days of sick time per year
• 6 days of personal time per year
• 3 weeks of vacation the first year, increasing with time.
Equal opportunity: HarborCOV has cultural and linguistic diversity in all its programs.
Minorities, bilingual/bicultural candidates, survivors of domestic & sexual violence, and LGBQ/T candidates are strongly encouraged to apply. HarborCOV is an affirmative action, equal opportunity employer.
Please submit resume and cover letter to the Hiring Committee at
hiringcommittee@harborcov.org
Send cover letter & résumé to:
P.O. Box 505754
Chelsea, MA 02150
Email .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Fax 617-884-9929
No phone calls.
About HarborCOV
Harbor Communities Overcoming Violence (HarborCOV) is an innovative nonprofit organization that offers culturally relevant emergency and longer-term resources, and affordable housing for survivors of domestic violence and their children, while educating the public about the causes and consequences of domestic violence.
HarborCOV values diverse life experience and is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. People who are bilingual/bicultural, of color, Native/Indigenous, with disabilities and/or identifying as LGBQT are strongly encouraged to apply.