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JOB DESCRIPTION - Bilingual Legal Advocate

Position: Domestic Violence Legal Advocate (Bilingual)

Wage: $15.39/hour - $16.01/hour

Reports to: Program Manager

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

Location: Visalia, CA

Supervises: N/A

Department: Legal

Language: English

About Family Services
Family Services helps children, adults, and families heal from violence and thrive in healthy relationships. We serve victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, human trafficking, child abuse, and other trauma through shelter, mental health services, and comprehensive support services. Our prevention programs also help stop the cycle of abuse. We are a private, nonprofit organization working to build a community of safe homes, safe relationships, and safe children—which means a safer, healthier community for everyone. Family Services offers salary and highly competitive benefits (medical, dental, vision, life, vacation, sick, retirement), commensurate with experience and skills. Family Services is highly committed to diversity and a workplace environment that respects, appreciates and values employees from all backgrounds.

Summary:
Interview and assess the needs of domestic violence victims for legal assistance. Counsel and refer to Legal Aide, private attorneys, paralegals, or legal typing services as appropriate. Provide advocacy as needed. Provide emotional support and trauma-informed crisis intervention to domestic violence victims.

Responsibilities:

  • Maintain awareness of current laws pertaining to domestic violence victims, e.g. restraining orders, stalking, custody considerations, etc.
  • Interview and assess the needs of the residents of Karen’s House for legal assistance.  Counsel and refer to Legal Aide, private attorneys, paralegals, or legal typing services as appropriate.  Provide advocacy as needed.
  • Provide transportation to domestic violence victims, if necessary, to complete legal services.
  • Provide Court accompaniment to domestic violence victims.
  • Maintain required statistics, document activities and prepare reports as assigned in a timely, accurate, and complete manner.
  • May provide domestic violence training presentations to criminal justice system professionals on domestic violence legal issues and legal procedures training to others.
  • Coordinate with other domestic violence response services staff, Family Court Services, Victim Witness Assistance, rape crisis response services, the Courts and other relevant entities or service providers.
  • Attend staff meetings and training as required.  Communicate progress, problems, and needs to supervisor on a regular basis.
  • Perform all tasks in a safe manner as to avoid injury to self and others.
  • Adherence to policies related to HIPAA, confidentiality, information sharing and appropriate use of agency-client database.
  • Other duties as assigned

Qualifications:

  • Education: Paralegal certification preferred, Associate of Arts in Social Science or equivalent combination of education and experience required.  Additionally, must have completed or be able to complete the minimum training for counseling victims of domestic violence specified in the California Evidence Code Section 1037.1
  • Experience: One year experience in paralegal, counseling, or domestic violence response services.
  • Transportation: A valid California Driver License and minimal auto liability insurance as required by law.  Must be able to use personal vehicle in the course of performing routine job duties.
  • Additional Requirements: Bilingual English/Spanish. Must complete a 40-hour certified domestic violence coun­selor training program prior to employment. Must be at least 21 years of age. Must receive clearance from the Department of Justice Criminal Record Offender Information Database.

 

To Apply:

Complete our online application below or download and submit an employment application with a resume and cover letter by one of the following methods:

Mail:
Family Services of Tulare County
Attn: Human Resources Coordinator
815 W. Oak
Visalia, CA 93291

E-mail: info@fstc.net
Fax: (559) 732-1987

The conditions described above must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions.

Family Services is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer.

Thank you to our generous sponsors.

  • First 5 Tulare County
    First 5 Tulare County
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