Senior Legal Advocate

Job Summary:

Jenesse Center, Inc. has an immediate opening for a Senior Legal Advocate at our Domestic Violence Clinic (DV Clinic), located inside the Inglewood Courthouse. Utilizing trauma-informed, survivor-centered practices, Legal Advocates assist Jenesse Center clients and the public in completing all documents necessary to obtain Domestic Violence Restraining Orders, including explaining the court process, court preparation and advocacy, and court accompaniment as needed. Qualified candidates are bilingual (English/Spanish) and possess paralegal certification or equivalent work experience. Candidates must be proficient in Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Microsoft Publisher, Adobe, and Lawyaw, have excellent customer service skills, be a team player, and enjoy working collaboratively across different agencies and departments.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities:

• Provide immediate assistance to members of the public seeking domestic violence restraining orders (DVROs).

• Utilizing the provided intake tool assist clients and the public with completing all forms needed to obtain a DVRO.

• Assist with the preparation of written declarations to accompany DVRO applications.

• Provide clear instructions to victims on the DVRO process, including filing, service of notice, the evidentiary hearing, and the steps required at each stage.

• Complete safety plans and lethality assessments with all those seeking services at the DV Clinic; explain the benefits and limitations of DVROs and how a DVRO fits into an overall safety plan for the victim and their family members.

• Connect victims and survivors with referrals to appropriate resources and services such as California’s Victims of Crime Program (CalVCP), shelter, housing, counseling, and comprehensive legal services.

• Provide continued advocacy and support to DV survivors navigating the restraining order process, including court accompaniment when appropriate.

• Coordinate with Jenesse Center’s DART, shelter, and legal services advocates to support Jenesse clients in filing for and obtaining DVROs.

• Provide ongoing outreach to police departments, medical facilities, and other service providers regarding the DV Clinic at the Inglewood Courthouse.

• Represent the DV Clinic at community outreach events.

• Collect, store, collate, and report all data regarding completed DVRO applications, success rates, and other information regarding the DV Clinic’s activities, and assist with data entry and timely reporting of Clinic stats.

• Assist in the recruitment, training, and onboarding of DV Clinic volunteers.

• Provide shift coverage during scheduled and unscheduled Legal Advocate absences.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent experience

• Bilingual Spanish language skills (verbal & written) are required

• 40-hour Domestic Violence Counselor Certification required

• Experience working at a court-based self-help center is highly desired

• Understanding of domestic violence/IPV and related issues

• Experience working with and advocating for victims and survivors of DV/IPV

• Experience utilizing trauma-informed, culturally appropriate practices in working with DV/IPV victims and survivors

• Demonstrated ability to handle confidential information

• Ability to work well under pressure and deadlines

• Excellent writing skills

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills

• Ability to work collaboratively in a fast-paced, demanding environment

• Willingness to undergo a criminal background check and drug screening test

Salary and Benefits:

This is a full-time position. The salary range is $50,000 — $55,000 annually, commensurate with experience. Jenesse Center offers full-time employees a generous benefits package that includes paid sick and vacation leave. In addition, employees can participate in an optional contributory 401(k) retirement plan and dependent and health flex savings accounts (FSA).

About Jenesse Center:

Founded in 1980, Jenesse is one of the oldest and largest nonprofit domestic violence intervention and prevention organizations in South Los Angeles. Jenesse’s mission is to restore and provide trauma-informed, culturally responsive, holistic, comprehensive services to survivors and families impacted by domestic and sexual violence; and advance prevention modalities to sustain healthy and safe communities free of violence. Jenesse’s multi- disciplinary staff provides services 24 hours per day, 365 days per year. In addition, we foster a wellness-based and culturally responsive community offering an array of supportive services, including 24/7 hotline crisis intervention; emergency shelter and transitional housing; case management services; individual and group counseling; direct legal services; workforce development programs; DV, Parenting, Substance Abuse, Anger Management, and Empowerment classes; children and youth programming; permanent housing assistance, and more.

Jenesse Center, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer