RUTH’S COTTAGE LEGAL ADVOCATE
COMPENSATION
Hourly, Non-Exempt with Benefits – 40 Hours per Week
Hourly Rate Range: $16.00 – $26.00
General Job Description
Hired by the Executive Director and supervised by the Executive Director providing comprehensive legal advocacy services for victims who seek help through hotline calls to Ruth’s Cottage. Coordinates with and is a liaison for the courts, law enforcement and other service providers to expedite and improve services to domestic violence victims. The Legal Advocate will work with the courts and law enforcement personnel to assist victims of family violence while educating the community on the subject.
Qualifications for Position
- Completion of a high school or general equivalency diploma (GED) as minimum, four year college degree preferred.
- Requires excellent verbal and written communication skills
- Strong organizational and time management skills.
- Emotional maturity.
- Requires ability to follow the law and agency policies and procedures.
- Criminal justice experience preferred.
- Conducting business with professional demeanor and ability to maintain client confidentiality.
- Computer skills sufficient to participate in webinars, utilize work email, and enter data into the program management software program.
- Demonstrates ability to work on a team.
- Prioritization skills required.
- Ability to dress professionally, courtroom appropriate.
- Passage of physical exam, drug screening, and a criminal record check is required before beginning work.
- Dependable transportation and valid GA Driver’s License.
Job Responsibilities and Performance Standards
- Provide immediate crisis intervention for victims seeking protection through protective orders and will assist victims in obtaining whatever services are deemed necessary.
- Explain the range of options to victims such as Temporary Protective Orders, warrants, restraining orders, stalking orders, and safety plans. Provide victim assistance as applicable.
- Offer emergency food, clothing, and/or shelter, and other client assistance as needed and allowed.
- Explain victim rights and help the victim choose the proper proceeding to obtain the relief needed.
- Provide general information about the criminal justice process.
- Assist the victim in completing necessary forms and accompanying them to court/ hearings.
- Communicating information about case status and scheduled court proceedings.
- Provide options for transportation to hearings.
- Provide information on case progress and disposition.
- Provide victim compensation information.
- Provide prevention services aimed at re-victimization.
- Providing information about contact persons at jails, District Attorney’s Office, and/or Solicitor’s Offices.
- Assist in follow-up hearings.
- Coordinate services with the appropriate victim-witness offices and explain community options such as support services and shelters.
- Provide a means of maintaining accurate statistics of domestic violence cases. Be proficient in Caseworthy software program and enter data in a timely and precise manner.
- Submit timely and accurate RCPCH and CJCC Time Sheets.
- Participate in any local task force or other community organizations or groups involved in family violence prevention.
- Works with staff on activities and planning for outreach to underserved populations.
- Attending agency staff meetings.
- Provide presentations/training on DV and legal advocacy to community and law enforcement personnel.
- Assist with planning and carrying out all Domestic Violence Prevention Month activities.
Receive a minimum of 15 hours of training prior to beginning work with a total of 34 hours training in year one of employment. After the first year, receive a minimum of 15 hours of training annually.