DV Legal Advocate

DV Legal Advocate

 

Location: NW Divisional Headquarters (111 Queen Anne Ave N # 300, Seattle, WA 98109)| Schedule: Monday-Friday, 8:00am-4:30pm

Status: Full-Time/Non-Exempt | Pay: $29.45-#31.00/hour

 

Join a team where you can offer compassion, dignity, and sustainable opportunities for people in need in your local community!

The Salvation Army is an inspiring place to work. With offices in every major US city and over 120 countries around the globe, it’s a place where people can invest in people on every level. In the Northwest region of the United States, we are committed to being an efficient and effective network of local offices that provide the community with resources, such as food and shelter opportunities. As one of the most impactful social service organizations in the world, we hire people who constantly seek new ways to keep us moving forward.  

The Domestic Violence Legal Advocate works in Seattle with adult DV survivors to provide: safety planning, legal information, civil and criminal justice systems navigation, help obtaining and completing court paperwork, referrals to legal, community and other resources, crisis response, financial assistance and case-management services. This position will provide mobile advocacy services when necessary by driving an agency vehicle to meet and serve clients in locations throughout Seattle/King County. This role is not hybrid/remote – office attendance at our Queen Anne location is required.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Perform phone screenings of potential clients and conduct in-person intake interviews and assessments.
• Handle client and agency data in a confidential and secure manner.
• Deliver comprehensive legal advocacy services (excluding legal advice or representation) including the provision of: legal information, assistance obtaining protection orders and completing court paperwork, help to claim crime victims compensation, referrals to assorted legal programs, clinics and pro-bono programs in such areas as protection orders, child support, parenting plans, dissolutions, immigration matters, bankruptcy, criminal victim-defendant, landlord-tenant, public benefits and administrative law.
• Must complete a minimum of twenty (20) hours of DV education per year (in the year directly following the first year of hire). and ten (10) must include training on diversity, cultural competency, and working with interpreters.
• On an empowerment-based model, provide comprehensive case management services to clients, including safety planning,domestic violence education and referrals to access housing and other resources, for example, medical and dental, education and training, childcare, employment and public benefits.
• Provide regular “mobile advocacy” services by meeting with and accompanying clients to a variety of locations such as various court houses, legal clinics, the DSHS, and other social service providers.
• Respond to crisis calls by providing support, safety planning, information, and referrals to resources.
• Arrange necessary contacts, letters, or communications with other agencies or individuals to assist client attainment of goals and access to resources.
• Respond to emergency situations that may arise, making independent decisions within policy guidelines, as necessary, and institute security procedures should a critical or threatening situation arise and provide timely and appropriate notification to police, fire, emergency medical, and internal and external supervisory authorities.
• Provide crisis intervention services
• Work closely with the DV advocacy team on all matters related to client plans, goals and objectives, safety, and other issues.
• Participate as a representative on committees or for special events and projects, as needed.
• Maintain accurate program records, files, outcome reports, databases and statistics to satisfy strict deadlines.
• Work cooperatively with other Salvation Army programs.
• Participate in in-service trainings, conferences, classes, and related opportunities in order to meet Washington State requirements for domestic violence service providers and to continue professional growth and development.
• Respectfully represent The Salvation Army’s programs to the community and referral agencies.
• Other duties as assigned by the Director of Domestic Violence Programs.

Education & Experience

• B.A. in social work or related field or equivalent relevant experience.
• Desired: One year’s experience providing domestic violence advocacy-based services with a focus on civil and criminal legal issues impacting survivors of gender-based violence.
• Desired: Education in the field of domestic violence and empowerment-based advocacy including 20 hours of domestic violence education per WAC 388-61A-0350 in the first year of hire and 20 hours in each year thereafter, plus a minimum of ten hours of training each year on providing services and advocacy to individuals from marginalized populations. This training can be provided in-house by the Salvation Army.
• Experience in networking and advocating with other agencies on behalf of adults and children in need of services desirable.

The information in this job description indicates the general nature and level of work performed by an employee in this classification. It is not to be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications of employees assigned to this job. Management has the right to add to, revise, or delete information in this description.

 

A generous benefits package is included with full-time positions:  paid holidays, vacation time, sick time, and medical, vision, and dental insurance.

Health Insurance:  Low bi-weekly premiums for employee-only coverage, Kaiser HMO for those residing in a Kaiser service area, Anthem EPO/PPO is available for those residing outside a Kaiser service area.  Voluntary +1 and +family coverage at additional cost.  Delta Dental DHMO and DPPO dental insurance are offered. 

Life and Voluntary Options.  An employer-paid life insurance policy covers employees.  Voluntary supplemental life, short-term and long-term disability plans are available.

Retirement Plans:  Employer-funded Money Purchase Pension Plan (Defined Contribution Plan) 50% vested at five years eligible service time. Plus, an employee-funded voluntary 403(b) option.

Parental Leave:  The benefit is 40 hours of Paid Leave for qualifying events.

Sick Leave:  12 days of Sick Leave annually accruing from day one, eligible for use after three months’ service time. 

Paid Vacation:

• Two weeks annually, accruing from day one, for non-exempt positions.
• Four weeks annually, accruing from day one, for exempt positions.
• Accrued vacation is eligible for use after six months’ service time.

Paid Holidays:  13 designated holidays + 1 floating holiday per year

 

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against based on disability. The Salvation Army is committed to providing reasonable accommodation for qualified job applicants, job candidates, and employees with disabilities to ensure they enjoy equal access to all employment opportunities and benefits of employment as required by the Americans with Disabilities Act. EEO is the Law.

The Salvation Army, an international movement, is an evangelical part of the universal Christian Church. Its message is based on the Bible. Its ministry is motivated by the love of God. Its mission is to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ and to meet human needs in His name without discrimination.

“The Salvation Army will comply with all governmental orders and any contractual obligations relative to COVID-19 safety measures, including mandatory vaccination of staff if required.  The Salvation Army will consider requests for exemptions from any such requirements on either religious or medical grounds.”

Once a conditional offer has been made and then accepted by the applicant, The Salvation Army may then ask specific questions about vaccination status, if applicable.  If the applicant requests an exemption, then the processes described in this summary should be followed.