Court Advocate

Mission Statement: To reduce the occurrence and impact of domestic violence in the Midlands.

Position Summary: In Newberry County, provide trauma-informed services, advocate for domestic violence survivors and their children, and provide legal advocacy services for clients to assist them in proceeding through the legal system and safety from their abuser. Assist and support survivors and their children in receiving health-related screenings, medical services, health education, community medical referrals, and follow-up medical services through coordination efforts.

Responsibilities:

1. Assess rural client needs for legal advocacy and serve as a liaison between the client and the law enforcement victim advocate.

2. Provide written and verbal information to the clients regarding their legal options, rights and intimate partner violence abuse laws.

3. Accompany clients to court and provide legal advocacy and emotional support.

4. Work cooperatively with family and criminal court personnel.

5. Remain current on the status of intimate partner violence abuse laws, procedures and practices of the judicial and law enforcement systems.

6. Advocate on behalf of victims of intimate partner violence with local DSS offices and human service agencies. Provide general information on services, referral sources, and full wraparound case management.

7. Ensure that intimate partner violence survivors and their children receive health-related screenings, health education, community medical referrals, and follow-up medical services through coordination of services.

8. Provide referrals and collaborate with outpatient and inpatient health care services and serve as the liaison between organization and health service providers.

9. Work to expand access for survivors in the rural areas by helping clients utilize mobile health units closer to where they work and live.

10. Help survivors access local mobile health units to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 and alleviate health disparities among vulnerable domestic violence survivors (homeless, displaced populations, immigrant communities, migrant workers, the under-insured, and children.

11. Input direct service and collateral time into client database management system according to organization's policy and procedures.

12. Participate in staff meetings, case staffing, and other agency meetings.

13. Attend twelve (12) hours of Victim Service Provider (VSP) training each year to remain in compliance and active status as a VSP.

Qualifications:

· Bachelor’s degree in social work or human services or equivalent in years of experience.

· Knowledge of intimate partner violence abuse laws and procedures, and practices of the judicial and law enforcement systems.

· Minimum of one (1) year of experience in direct services working with survivors. Experience working with survivors in crisis.

· Knowledge of community resources available to assist survivors.

· Skill in communicating effectively with intimate partner violence survivors. Understanding intimate partner violence and its effect on survivors and their children.

· Ability to relate in a non-judgmental manner with individuals with a wide range of challenges, work in a cooperative team effort, and handle emergency situations on an independent basis.

· Must have a valid South Carolina driver’s license and a vehicle to be used for work related travel and vehicle insurance.

Physical Demands and Work Environment:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the functions.

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate to loud. The employee frequently is required to use hands or fingers, handle, or feel objects, tools, various forms of technology or controls. The employee must be able to stand; walk; sit; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; and stoop, kneel, crouch, run or crawl. The employee must have the ability to follow written and oral instructions and procedures.

The employee must be able to work under regular, moderate levels of stress and must be able to regularly lift and move up to 10 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this position include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, and the ability to adjust focus.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $36,565.70 - $44,036.11 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Flexible schedule
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• Monday to Friday

Experience:

• Crisis management: 1 year (Required)

License/Certification:

• Driver's License (Required)

Ability to Commute:

• Newberry, SC (Required)

Ability to Relocate:

• Newberry, SC: Relocate before starting work (Required)

Work Location: In person

Salary : $36,566 - $44,036