Laura's House Legal Advocate Full Time - Bi Lingual Spanish

The Legal Advocate is responsible for the provision of legal advocacy services at the Domestic Violence Resource Center (Aliso Viejo), Lamoreaux Justice Center (Orange), Domestic Violence Advocacy Center (Garden Grove), Emergency Shelter, and additional designated courthouses. S/he provides information and assistance with understanding, preparing, and processing the legal forms necessary to obtain temporary restraining orders and also provides hearing preparation and court accompaniment to Laura’s House clients across the locations listed above. The primary accountabilities for this position are to (1) complete legal intakes and assessments; (2) provide restraining order preparation, court advocacy/accompaniment, hearing preparation, information and referrals, and (3) collaborate with Laura’s House staff to facilitate a treatment team approach across sites., * Complete intake assessments in English and Spanish with Laura’s House clients at the Domestic Violence Resource Center, Emergency Shelter, Lamoreaux Justice Center, and additional designated courthouse.

• Assist clients with all phases of restraining order litigation, including assessment; form preparation; filing assistance; hearing preparation; court accompaniment to hearings and follow-up tasks such as obtaining records or documents, assisting with uploading evidence to the evidence portal, and connecting with other service providers and justice system professionals.
• Provide crisis intervention through needs assessment, comprehensive safety planning, assistance in navigating the civil justice and social services systems, systems advocacy (help clients cut through bureaucratic red tape), referrals, follow-up services, and ongoing support to victims/survivors.
• Assist in maintaining accurate, current, and complete case files on each client.
• Provide telephone and in-person consultations regarding domestic violence restraining orders.
• Collaborate with immigration law organizations to help clients access immigration services including U-Visa, T-Visa, and VAWA application support.
• Supervise legal advocacy volunteers and interns as needed.
• Enforce each site’s policies and procedures.
• Participate in community outreach to help raise awareness about domestic violence and Laura’s House services.
• Establish and maintain relationships with other agencies to better serve Laura’s House clients.
• Represent Laura’s House at networking events.
• Other duties as assigned., * Enter statistical and descriptive data for contract and other reporting requirements as needed.
• Maintain client confidentiality by protecting client information and ensuring that appropriate paperwork is understood and completed by clients (e.g. consent for services forms and release of information forms when collaborating with other programs/entities).
• Maintain the confidentiality of client, staff, volunteer, and agency information. Exceptions include information pertaining to child abuse, elder abuse, danger to self or others or in response to an authorized release of information.
• Adhere to agency policies and protocols related to the security of electronic client service records. Maintain the highest levels of accuracy in record-keeping and reporting, ensuring that all client records and documentation of outreach, training, and other work tasks are complete and up-to-date and submitted to supervisor as directed.
• Maintain an up-to-date shared calendar as directed. Carry out other duties as necessary to ensure organizational success. All Laura’s House staff members are encouraged to be flexible and responsive to changes in scope of duties.
• Maintain appropriate boundaries with clients and other staff.
• Represent the agency in a positive, professional manner at all times.
• Maintain a tidy, organized work area.
• Participate in agency functions as a participant or presenter as needed.
• Evening and weekend hours as needed.

• Bachelor’s degree in social sciences, human services or related field or equivalent experience required.
• Experience with family violence intervention, case management, and crisis intervention preferred.
• 40-hour domestic violence training as required by law. (may be completed upon hiring)

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Oral and written fluency in English and Spanish preferred.
• Adaptability and flexibility while working in a dynamic work environment.
• Proficiency in MS Word and Outlook, as well as internet research. Comfort in computer network environment.
• Ability to work collaboratively in an ethnically, linguistically, and culturally diverse environment., * Valid driver’s license, reliable transportation and appropriate insurance.
• Completion of Live Scan and Drug Test
• Employee is occasionally required to stand, walk, sit, use hands to handle or feel, climb or balance, stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl, talk or hear, and taste or smell. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.

Pulled from the full job description 403(b) Health insurance Vision insurance Dental insurance Life insurance

At Laura’s House, we don’t just offer jobs-we offer purpose. Be part of a compassionate, mission-driven team making a real difference in the lives of domestic violence survivors and their families., Come be a part of something bigger than a job. Join our Laura’s House family and help us create safe, bright futures for children and families in need.