Senior Court Advocate (Bilingual Preferred)

About The Organization:

Doorways is an Arlington-based non-profit agency helping individuals and families create pathways out of homelessness, domestic violence and sexual assault leading to safe, stable, and empowered lives. We envision a community where all people live free of violence and have safe and stable housing regardless of their gender, race, ethnicity, age, religious beliefs, sexual orientation, abilities, language, or national origin. We see a future without homelessness or domestic and sexual violence.

Doorways began in 1978 when a group of concerned community members saw there was no safe place in Arlington for families in crisis. What began then with one shelter and one response has grown into a series of pathways individually tailored for adults, youth, and children seeking safety and shelter. From immediate crisis intervention to counseling, housing, and employment support, we offer real options and multiple pathways for people of all ages and genders— women, men, youth, and LGBTQIA+ people.

Program Summary:

Doorways’ Community-Based Services is comprised of multiple areas that are designed to support individuals impacted by sexual and domestic violence. Through our Community-Based Services, we provide a spectrum of trauma informed, survivor-centered, lifesaving, supportive and educational services to help survivors of all ages learn about their options, increase their safety, and live a life free of violence. These wraparound services enable individuals and families to obtain safety, stability, and self-sufficiency so that they can progress to the next phase of their life. Our community-based services focus on providing support and education to survivors about risks, lethality, and ways to plan for safety. 

In all our programs, all are welcome, including women, men, and those who identify as LGBTQIA+. 

Doorways’ Court Advocacy program assists survivors of domestic and sexual violence with obtaining immediate and long-term legal protections. With an office at the Arlington County Courthouse, Doorways’ Court Advocates provide education about the legal system, accompaniment during the petition and court hearing processes, and extensive safety planning for anyone impacted by family violence. 

Position Summary:

The Senior Court Advocate works with adult and youth survivors of domestic and sexual violence and their children/families at the Arlington County Courthouse.  The Court Advocacy Program provides supportive services and advocacy to people involved with civil and court proceedings as a result of domestic violence and/or sexual assault.  In addition, he/she conducts target outreach to underserved populations and education activities to other service providers and the community at large.  The Senior Court Advocate provides direct client services such as thorough safety planning and referrals to community resources as well as programmatic facilitation and supervision of the Doorways Court Advocacy Program.  This position is full time and reports to the Program Manager, Community-Based Services.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Program Duties (Service Delivery)

• Provide extensive safety planning and associated emotional support for survivors and their children, paying attention to special cultural interpretations and values.

• Advise survivors about options and resources available to protect and provide for them and their families such as civil protective orders, public benefits, and community programs.

• Provide information and facilitate direct referrals for legal representation via providers such as Legal Services of Northern Virginia

• Assist survivors in the preparation of civil petitions related primarily to protective orders, custody and child support while ensuring requests for language interpretation needs are met.

• If a criminal case is filed, refer and accompany survivor to Commonwealth Attorney’s Victim Witness Program. 

• Accompany survivors and provide emotional support in court waiting area and through their process. 
• Accompany survivors in all civil court proceedings, provide English/Spanish translation, and ensure appropriate translation services for other languages.

• Assist survivors in obtaining copies of court documents. Help client understand all court actions
• Assist survivor how to report a Protective Order violation via Rule of Show Cause, Magistrate, or Law enforcement.
• Accompany survivors to clerk's office to file motion to amend, rule of show cause, precipe, and subpoenas. 
• Accompany survivors to Appeals at circuit court for PO and Custody.
• Collaborate with the Arlington County Sheriff’s Department, and other process servers to ensure service of protective order or subpoena to abusive partner for court hearings and informing survivors of such services.
• In cases of stalking within the criminal arena, assist survivors by complementing the Victim Witness Program’s efforts via direct emotional support, translation services, and guidance.
• Make referral to other agencies for ongoing support and services such as emergency shelter, housing, mental health, education, childcare, financial education, employment, etc.
• Develop and maintain professional relationships with community representatives related to the court advocate program.
• Compile and complete data collection and reporting for Court Advocacy Program and submit timely reports to Domestic & Sexual Violence Program Director.
• Participate in collaboration efforts, and workgroups associated with Project PEACE.
• Participate in Doorways volunteer and staff orientation as needed to train new staff and volunteers and community partners.
  

Supervisory Responsibilities:

• Direct and supervise the day-to-day work performance of the Court Advocacy Program, including Full-Time Court Advocate, interns, and volunteers.
• Serve as a leader, advocate and liaison representing Doorways in community coalitions and committees as they pertain to enhancing survivor services.
• Maintain accurate records as required for grant reporting.
• Data collection and grant reporting as required.
• Document any discrepancies or system breakdowns that impact the survivor's experiences and advocate for system change and improvement  

Administrative Responsibilities:

• Maintain appropriate client files; process and enter VAdata information
• Participate in weekly case review, service coordination, and agency meetings.
• Meet regularly for supervision.
• Collaborate with other local service providers

Agency Responsibilities

• Demonstrate alignment with Doorways core values and mission.
• In partnership with Doorways staff, assist with Doorways client and community events.
• Attend meetings, as required.
• Represent the Domestic and Sexual Violence Program at various community initiatives and events as requested.
• Maintain current industry knowledge and best practices.
• Adhere to agency policies and procedures.

Requirements and Qualifications:

• BA/BA degree in social sciences, counseling, or related field required;
• Three (3) + years of experience working with survivors of gender and intimate partner violence.
• Community based Victim advocacy experience preferred.
• Excellent interpersonal relationship skills and ability to maintain professional boundaries
• Bilingual Spanish/English abilities strongly preferred.
• Effective communicator, with excellent written and verbal communication skills, and ability to speak to an audience.
• Flexible and a self-starter, with demonstrated ability to exercise independent judgment, mitigate risk, and make sound decisions
• Must demonstrate an acceptance and respect for cultural diversity in all its forms, including race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, abilities, and religious backgrounds and an ability to work collaboratively in an ethnically, linguistically, and culturally diverse environment.
• Excellent people skills, with experience collaborating in a multi-disciplinary, diverse, and dynamic team
• Proficiency in Microsoft Suite, navigating technologies such as electronic database and case management systems (e.g., VADATA, ETO), email and internet platforms.
• Must be located in the DMV area.

Compensation:

$56,000-60,000 depending on level of education, experience and fluency in Spanish or other high demand languages. Excellent benefits – health/dental/vision, life, LTD, 403(b), etc.

Doorways for Women and Families is an Equal Opportunity Employer

People of color, women, LGBTQ candidates, and people of diverse backgrounds are strongly encouraged to apply. Doorways is committed to a diverse workplace and to supporting our staff with ongoing career development opportunities. See www.doorwaysva.org for more info.