Legal Advocacy Program Coordinator

About the organization:

The mission of the Washington State Coalition Against Domestic Violence is to mobilize our member programs and allies to end domestic violence through advocacy and action for social change. We improve how communities respond to violence and create a social intolerance for abuse, support our 69+ member programs across the state, and inform the public. Guided by our Theory of Change, we work to undo the root causes of violence, building racial equity, economic justice, and gender and reproductive liberation to create a world where all people can live and love freely without fear. WSCADV’s team approach facilitates the sharing of power and responsibility across positions.

About the position:

This position is a great opportunity for someone who is enthusiastic about supporting and training front-line domestic violence advocates in their daily work with survivors involved with the legal system, and who is also energized about the longer-term goal of ending gender-based violence and addressing root causes of violence. The ideal candidate will have direct experience in survivor advocacy and a passion for helping advocates and directors to serve survivors more effectively. Familiarity with legal and social service systems that survivors frequently navigate is desired, along with knowledge and ability to problem-solve and provide guidance for membership on a wide range topics such as protection orders, parenting plans, victim-defendants, and navigating legal options and the legal process. A law degree is not expected.

Attending in-person meetings and events, typically in King County or Olympia, and periodic overnight travel are required. Valid driver’s license and/or ability to travel (e.g., trainings, meetings) locally and out of area, as well as proof of COVID vaccination, are required.

Primary Responsibilities:

1) Lead and coordinate WSCADV’s training, support, and representation of domestic violence legal advocates and survivors’ legal issues throughout the state:

• • Plan and conduct in-person trainings, webinars, and technical assistance site visits for domestic violence programs;
  • Develop educational materials for advocates;
  • Respond to questions regarding legal advocacy issues;
  • Develop and update website and online e-learning content;
  • Track and analyze patterns and trends in legal advocacy issues to inform WSCADV policy work;

Typical topics include: legal protections; custody; family law; child welfare; confidentiality and privacy; privilege; subpoenas; victim-defendants; understanding criminal and civil legal systems; working effectively with law enforcement, prosecutors, courts, and defense; immigration status; tenant rights; and issues affecting Indigenous survivors such as Full Faith and Credit.

2) Provide general survivor-driven advocacy training and support (e.g., Advocacy for Rookies, conference):

• • Plan and conduct in-person training, individually or as part of a team, and webinars to an audience of domestic violence advocates from around the state.
  • Provide technical assistance site visits at WSCADV member programs.

3) Reporting and contract deliverables:

• Plan and complete grant narratives, budgets, and reporting for activities under the Office of Crime Victims Advocacy (OCVA) Domestic Violence Legal Advocacy contract, and collaborate with coworkers for other contract deliverables as needed.

4) Represent WSCADV on statewide and national work groups, task forces, and strategy efforts, and with constituents, partners, policymakers, and/or the public at large.

5) Support direct service programs, in a wide range of communities across the state, to strengthen relationships and engage effectively, including with survivors and grassroots leaders in communities historically subject to injustice in the legal system, for example, communities of color, immigrant, and LGBTQ+ communities. Build or strengthen alliances on behalf of WSCADV to do the same.

6) Contribute to WSCADV's strategic visioning and planning to expand the range of options for safety and justice for survivors, and ways to carry this out on-the-ground.

7) Perform other general WSCADV staff duties related to the annual conference, Advocacy Days, and other duties as assigned.

8) Participate in domestic violence, multicultural, and anti-oppression activities and trainings and perform all work in a culturally responsive manner consistent with WSCADV’s mission, Theory of Change, and Principles of Unity.

Required Qualifications:

1. Minimum 5 years of experience and proven skills in domestic violence or sexual assault legal advocacy and/or survivor-driven advocacy services.
2. Strong oral communication skills, such as teaching, training, group facilitation, or coaching with individuals and groups. Good writing skills, for example providing written guidance for advocates or writing grant reports. Ability to establish warm connections and working relationships with people and organizations.
3. Knowledge, skills, and experience with the dynamics of domestic and sexual violence, survivor-driven advocacy, civil and criminal legal systems, and state and federal laws that affect survivors and their children.
4. Strong understanding of the impact of bias, discrimination, and differential treatment of survivors in the law and justice system based on racism, sexism, poverty, and other forms of inequality and oppression. Commitment to supporting survivors who do not or cannot turn to the legal system for help.
5. Tact, empathy, discretion, and strong ability to maintain a nonjudgmental, supportive, and trauma-informed approach to working with survivor advocates, ally organizations, and WSCADV’s statewide membership.
6. Self-starter with strong ability to plan, independently manage workload, and complete tasks with minimal supervision. Experience anticipating and solving problems. Ability to maintain a calm and friendly approach.
7. Commitment to advancing WSCADV’s mission, Theory of Change, and Principles of Unity, including undoing racism, sexism, and other forms of oppression.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Familiarity with restorative, alternative justice, or community accountability approaches to addressing violence.
• Knowledge and experience with legal issues and barriers to safety and justice facing survivors of color, immigrant, LGBTQ+, Indigenous, and other survivors from historically marginalized communities.
• Ability to help our membership navigate legal system dynamics in rural and urban areas.
• Training and technical assistance/consulting experience with nonprofits or Tribal organizations.
• Project and budget management, and grants/contracts administration skills.
• Spanish, ASL, or other language proficiency.