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VOLUNTEER JOB DESCRIPTION - Legal Advocate

Brief Description of Program: 
Family Services was founded for the original purpose of maintaining a hotline (732-5941) and an emergency shelter for battered and abused women and children. These crisis intervention services have remained the core of our Domestic Violence Response Program. With the expansion of the legal assistance services volunteers remain vital to the Domestic violence program. 

Commitment Required: 
•    36 hours each month (may include nights/weekends/holidays) throughout a one year period. 
•    It is helpful if volunteers can be flexible and occasionally adjust their shift hours to meet the needs of the clients or shelter. 
•    Attend meetings and training sessions as scheduled. 

Job duties and Responsibilities: 
•    Provide trauma-informed, personal, confidential peer counseling to domestic violence victim/survivor. 
•    Facilitated/Provide support to legal advocate in legal clinics throughout Tulare County
•    Answer and route phone calls on multiple lines. Check voicemails and forward to appropriate party.
•    Screen potential clients; refer those who do not meet grant requirements to other services/agencies.
•    Provide court accompaniment to domestic violence victims as needed. 
•    Maintain basic awareness of current laws pertinent to domestic violence victims, e.g. restraining orders, stalking, custody considerations, etc.
•    General clerical duties, such as copying, filing, mailings
•     May transport clients to court, shelter and/or other safe locations 
•    Communicate ideas for program development/improvement or other Legal Advocacy needs to DV Program Manager or Legal Advocacy Coordinator. 
•    Perform all duties in a safe manner so as to avoid injury to self and others. 
Duties may vary as needs arise and/or change.

Qualifications: 
•    Must be at least 21 years of age. 
•    Ability to respond to emergency calls and incidents; sensitivity to domestic violence victims. 
•    Must possess or immediately complete 40 hours of Domestic Violence Advocate training. 
•    Bi-lingual is helpful. 

Screening Requirements and Process: 
•    Must interview with Program Manager and/or Program Staff 
•    Must receive clearance from the Department of Justice Criminal Record Offender Information database. 
•    Provide proof of a valid CA Driver’s License; proof of auto insurance; DMV Record 

Benefits of Training: 
All volunteers will receive effective training and an excellent opportunity to gain knowledge in the social services field, all while helping their community.
 

Thank you to our generous sponsors.

  • First 5 Tulare County
    First 5 Tulare County
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