Legal Advocacy Director

Summary:

The Legal Advocacy Director is responsible for modeling and fostering a mindful, nurturing, and trauma informed environment within the legal advocacy department and provide emotional support to clients and staff. They will demonstrate a thorough understanding of trauma and its impact on physical and emotional well-being of the individual, family, and staff. To manage the Legal Advocacy program of YWCA York the director will be an advocate for victims and serve as a liaison with the legal system, i.e., attorneys, magistrates, courts, police, probation, judges, and community partners. They will develop and maintain positive relationships with staff and clients; advocate for victims of sexual assault, domestic violence, and human trafficking; be dedicated to the mission of YWCA York.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Recruit, train, supervise and evaluate Legal Advocacy Coordinator, Legal Advocates, Attorney and Paralegal. Oversee operations at the Protection From Abuse Office.
• Responsible for interfacing with directors of all agency programs to assure the continued provision of appropriate and adequate legal advocacy to all program service recipients.
• Responsible for in-depth client interviews, gathering and organizing information and keeping statistical data as required.
• Provide support and options counseling to resident and non-resident individuals/groups regarding applying for, or receiving Protection from Abuse orders. This support shall include information about their rights, options and restrictions, including such information necessary to allow applicants to make informed decisions as to disclose information regarding family violence.
• Develop extensive knowledge of Protection from Abuse (PFA) statute and alternatives; draft PFA/SVP/PFI Pro Se petitions.
• Provide accompaniment and advocacy to victims at preliminary hearings, pretrial conferences, trials, sentencings, and civil protection order hearings.
• Stay up-to-date and have a thorough knowledge of all legislation which may affect the agency.
• Represent the agency at PCADV and PCAR; York County Task Force on Domestic Violence, Law Enforcement/Judicial subcommittee, York County Domestic Violence Fatality Review Team and other community coalitions as necessary.
• Coordinate and mentor legal interns.
• Implement and maintain the Lethality Assessment Program, training new advocates and law enforcement officers and ensuring policies and procedures are up to date.
• Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with community agencies and services and legal systems.
• Participate in public speaking, community and group trainings to educate and raise awareness of the problem of domestic violence and available legal options including, safety needs and privacy concerns.
• Responsible for maintaining statistics and reports as required by grants, funding sources and the CSO. Responsibility of contractual service provision compliance of Legal Advocacy Program.
• Facilitate Legal Advocacy Program team meetings in regard to clients, programmatic and agency issues.
• Participate in grant/proposal writing; development/administration of program budgets and long-range planning.
• Other duties as required or assigned.

Education and Experience:

• Current Juris Doctorate (J.D.) Current license to practice law in Pennsylvania.
• Minimum of 2-4 years of litigation experience.
• Substantive knowledge of family law.
• Experience with and passion for the provision of services to victims of domestic violence and sexual assault.
• Ability to communicate well both orally and in writing.
• Must complete PCAR/PCCD/PCADV advocate training within 90 days of employment.

Job Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Knowledge/skills in the provision of services to victims of domestic violence sexual assault, and other violent crime.
• Access to reliable transportation required.

Competencies:

• Demonstrates a thorough understanding of the impact of trauma and vicarious trauma, and facilitates a trauma sensitive approach to services provided by the Legal Advocacy Program.
• Shows respect and sensitivity for cultural differences. - Treats people with respect; Works with integrity and ethically; upholds organizational values.
• Approaches others in a tactful manner; Reacts well under pressure; Treats others with respect and consideration regardless of their status or position.
• Observes safety and security procedures.
• Adapts to changes in the work environment.

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to lift, push, and/or pull up to 25 pounds.
• Frequent sitting, standing, walking and typing.