Description:

What You'll Do
The District Attorney, Domestic Violence Advocate, fosters and maintains collaborative working relationships with the Assistant District Attorneys while providing supportive services to victims throughout the criminal justice process. They will serve individuals with needs arising from, but not limited to, human trafficking, intimate partner violence, teen dating violence, sexual violence, and other types of crime victimization.

Who Should Apply:
The A Non-Profit Organization! District Attorney Domestic Violence Advocate is:

Passionate about ending gender-based violence, racism, classism, sexism, ageism, homophobia, ableism, and all forms of oppression.
Self-motivated and invested in continuous growth, training, and skill building.
Collaborative and works effectively with colleagues, clients, and community partners.
Confident and able to learn quickly, make an immediate impact, and contribute value-added service to clients, community partners, and colleagues.
Flexible and adaptable to operating in an ever-changing fast, paced environment.
Committed to being an effective communicator who connects and builds relationships with colleagues, clients, and community partners.
Human-centric and solution-focused, keeping the client's needs the driving force.

What You'll Bring Along

Must Have a Bachelor's Degree in Criminal Justice, International Relations, or A Related Field or Equivalent Work Experience in Providing Direct Crisis Counseling and Advocacy Services.
Must be knowledgeable in Microsoft Office programs and have experience with client management software.
Valid Driver's License, Auto Insurance, and reliable transportation to travel between the agency's office sites and other locations throughout the service region.
Physical demands include but are not limited to long periods of sitting, standing, walking, driving, lifting up to 50 pounds, and navigating stairs.

Key Responsibilities:

Advocacy & Program Specific Responsibilities

Coordinate with Assistant District Attorneys in supporting and meeting with victims for interviews, Grand Jury appearances, and other necessary meetings.
Liaise between victims and assigned Assistant District Attorneys throughout criminal cases, providing essential and up-to-date information to Assistant District Attorneys regarding case developments, restitution, violations of orders of protection, and victims' needs and concerns.
Support victims in understanding the criminal justice system, provide case information and ensure they know their rights.
Assist with necessary legal remedies, including orders of protection, supporting depositions, registration for notification of inmate release, address confidentiality program enrollment, etc.
Provide critical outreach and supportive services to domestic violence victims throughout the criminal prosecution process.
Attend criminal court appearances and provide outreach for Domestic Incident Reports (DIRs), as assigned, to support connection to services for victims.
Provide clients with information regarding the NYS Office of Victims Services, assist with filing applications for OVS compensation, and serve as a liaison between clients and OVS.
Serve as the primary point of contact with the OVS Vocational Rehabilitation Unit and New York State Civil Legal Network.
Assist victims with criminal justice support and advocacy, information and referrals, counseling, and other related services.
Provide comprehensive advocacy services, including safety planning, supportive individual and group counseling, assistance in preparing court documents, court and social service agencies accompaniment, and referrals and information to outside agencies and providers (i.e., legal, housing, transportation, and economical options).
Provide culturally informed, trauma-responsive crisis intervention and nonjudgmental, supportive, comprehensive services to clients, including, but not limited to, assessments; intakes; individual and group supportive counseling; advocacy and accompaniment; follow-up contact, as safe and appropriate, and outreach; and information and referrals.
Provide on-call advocacy outside of traditional business hours, as scheduled.
Proactively collaborate with agency staff within the Family Justice Center, residential settings, and collocated offices to strengthen program knowledge to ensure efficient client support.
Work closely and collaboratively with the project coordinator, law enforcement, social service caseworkers, and other community partner organizations while supporting the advocacy needs and safety planning of child and youth victims of trafficking.

Administrative & Agency Responsibilities

Contribute toward fostering inclusive and supportive work environments throughout the agency.
Work closely and collaboratively with the Director of Community Services and other supervisory staff, as appropriate, to understand and accomplish position responsibilities.
Attend and actively participate in supervision with the Director of Community Services, program-specific and agency-wide meetings, training, awareness month activities, and agency events.
Maintain the confidentiality of clients, staff, volunteers, and agency information, including adherence to agency policies and protocols related to the security of electronic client service records.
Maintain the confidentiality of clients, staff, volunteers, and agency information. Exceptions include information about child abuse, danger to self or others, or in response to an authorized release of information.
Maintain the highest levels of accuracy in recordkeeping and reporting, ensuring that all client records and documentation of work activities are complete and up-to-date and submitted to the supervisor as directed.
Accurate and timely records and documents of outreach, training, and other work tasks are complete, up-to-date, and submitted to the supervisor as directed.
Attend and proactively participate in assigned webinars, agency, and external training, including awareness month activities and agency events for clients.
Ensure timely response and follow-up to email communication and voicemail messages.
Staff members are encouraged to be flexible and responsive to changes in the scope of duties, including other duties as assigned by immediate and other supervisors.

Worksite Safety & Hygiene

Actively engaging in basic housekeeping, maintenance, organization of donations, and other assigned tasks.
Proactively monitor the overall condition of the agency and ensure the maintenance of a clean, welcoming environment for individuals accessing services.
Adhere to and uphold agency policies and protocols for the physical and electronic security of client and service records.

Additional Must-Have Requirements

Ability to model and uphold appropriate boundaries in work with clients, colleagues, supervisors, and the community.
Demonstrates good judgment with the ability to make timely and sound decisions.
Experience with data management and knowledge of Microsoft Office.
Excellent organizational and time management skills and ability to work in a fast-paced, crisis-oriented environment: assess priorities, take the initiative, handle multiple assignments, maintain organization, and meet deadlines.
Possess strong communication skills (both oral and written).
Ability to maintain effective working relationships with others, communicate as needed, and exhibit patience and understanding toward the client population served.
Experience working with diverse populations and seeking an understanding of cultural differences.
Understand and work from a feminist philosophy of empowerment and support the agency's mission.
Display commitment to ending violence against humans and a commitment to social change through active participation in working towards ending racism, classism, sexism, ageism, homophobia, ableism, and all forms of oppression; demonstrate a willingness to gain an understanding of issues of oppression, battering, and sexual assault.

Bonus Qualifications:

Direct experience navigating legal systems, social services, and other community resources is preferred.
Bilingual/bicultural candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.