• Job Description

  Req#: 112596

  Job Details

  Job Location: Portland Metro Area - Portland, OR

  Salary Range: $22.43 - $30.27 Hourly

  Description

  Position Close Date:10/10/23

  ***Applicants must upload a resume and cover letter to their application in order to be considered for this opportunity.***

  Volunteers of America Oregon is seeking a Bilingual Court Advocate to join our growing team at Home Free.

  Home Free has been providing advocacy, resources, and support services to survivors of domestic and sexual violence in the Portland area for over 50 years. Gender-inclusive and culturally responsive services offered by Home Free include crisis support, safety planning, housing, and advocacy in legal, healthcare, and community settings. Members of our team mobilize compassion, skillfulness, creativity, and resources to empower over 5,000 survivors annually to weave together options to open life-changing pathways towards safety and self-determination.

  The Bilingual (Spanish/English) Court Advocate is responsible for development, coordination, follow-up and delivery of court and legal services. The Court Advocate provides services in Multnomah County Courthouse to survivors seeking protective orders. Courthouse services include accompanying survivors to court hearings and being available to court staff for consultation. In addition, they support survivors with short-term case management based on their needs. Additional services include providing emotional support, safety and stabilization assessment, safety planning, advocacy, and system navigation for domestic violence survivors on a short-term and ongoing basis.

  Compensation: $22.43 - $30.27/hour (Depends on Experience and/or Certifications). This is a full-time position with excellent benefits! Benefits package includes medical, dental and vision insurance, life insurance, short and long-term disability insurance, 403(b) with automatic 5.5% contribution after 18-months regardless of employee participation, flexible spending account, employee assistance program, and other voluntary benefits and discounts. A generous paid time off plan includes 15 days in the first year, 23 days in the second year, and 26 days in the third year, in addition to 10 paid holidays and 3 paid personal holidays per year.

  Education, Training & Experience:

  • Bachelor’s degree in social work, women’s/gender studies or a related field preferred. Associate's degree and one year of related experience OR High School diploma/GED and two years of relevant experience or lived experience of domestic and/or sexual violence may be substituted in lieu of 4-year degree.
  • This position requires experience or willingness to learn in the following areas: networking and building community partnerships, and provision of supportive services, especially within vulnerable and disadvantaged communities.
  • This position requires knowledge or willingness to learn in in the following areas: courts, civil and criminal law, legal resources, law enforcement and cross-disciplinary response to domestic and sexual violence.

  Competencies:

  • Bilingual Spanish/English.
  • Excellent communication, collaboration, and community networking skills.
  • Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Outlook, Excel).
  • Enthusiasm for working with individuals of diverse identities, building bridges, and collaborating with a wide array of community partners including governmental and other non-profit agencies.
  • Comfort and skillfulness discussing topics related to domestic and sexual violence, healthy relationships, trauma, and contending with oppressive systemic factors which contribute to the ongoing prevalence of domestic and sexual violence with various entities.
  • Ability to be self-directed, multitask, pivot effectively to fulfill the various aspects of the role, be flexible, prioritize daily workload, and operate calmly amidst stressful circumstances.
  • An understanding and passion for continued learning around the root causes of domestic and sexual violence, and how injustices intersect based on race, gender identity, sexual orientation, and ability.
  • The desire and ability to promote an anti-racist, inclusive, and
  • culturally diverse and culturally responsive environment.
  • The ability to relate respectfully with people of diverse backgrounds and ages, and to utilize equitable and trauma-informed practices.
  • Awareness of your own personal and/or positional privilege and power.
  • Bicultural and those with lived experience of domestic and/or sexual violence preferred, but not required.

  Additional Eligibility Requirements:

  • Ability to pass a background check.
  • Ability to travel around the Portland Metro area for job related activities.
  • Completion of 40-hour domestic and sexual violence advocacy training, or equivalent to be approved by the Program Director OR expectation that training will be completed within first six months of employment (provided internally).
  • Completion of Assertive Engagement (AE) training, OR expectation that training will be completed after employment (provided internally).

  Duties & Responsibilities:

  • Responsible for meeting all Legal Component objectives stipulated by the contract(s) funding this position.
  • Provide culturally responsive court and legal advocacy and assistance.
  • Provide direct support to survivors of domestic and sexual violence to include systems navigation, needs assessments, linkages to community resources, danger assessments and safety planning, and other services as needed.
  • Establish and maintain positive working relationships with Multnomah County Court staff and judges, Family Court Services, Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office, District Attorney’s office, community groups, social service agencies, and other partners.
  • Provide case consultation to court staff and other partners to assist with case planning and cross-training.
  • Provide petitioners with logistical information on civil legal remedies, civil and criminal justice systems, appropriate community resources, and the dynamics of domestic and sexual violence.
  • Provide staffing coverage of the Restraining Order Room and Hotline.
  • Support the restraining order room volunteers in the courthouse and on the Restraining Order hotline.
  • Organize and implement a monthly survivor group focusing on incarcerated survivors.
  • Utilize client assistance to support survivors with transportation needs and debt reduction.
  • Adherence to Home Free’s Ethical Communication policies and procedures.
  • Work collaboratively with a co-advocacy model with case managers across Home Free programming, providing education and co-case management support as needed.
  • Maintain records of service provision, provide necessary statistics, and prepare reports as required by Home Free and funders.
  • Maintain files and ensure all required paperwork is kept up to date.
  • Develop and maintain positive relationships with community groups, social service agencies, and other community partners.

  Work Environment: Travel around the Portland Metro Arrive for home visits and items drop off as needed. Access to Home Free office space is optional and on-site work in the Courthouse is expected, outside of when needed, and the remainder of work will be performed remotely on a laptop and smartphone provided by VOA Oregon.

  Schedule: This is a full-time position; 40 hours per week, Monday through Friday. Extended and weekend hours may be necessary on an occasional basis.

  Volunteers of America Oregon is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, age, sexual orientation, protected veteran status, disability or any other category protected by federal, state or local law.

  Qualifications

  
  

• About the company

  Helping Oregonians since 1896, VOA Oregon is committed to helping those most vulnerable, the abused, and those in need of a second chance.

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