Legal/Medical Advocate

*** Seeking a full-time candidate to work primarily at the Maywood Courthouse. This position will be based at Maywood for domestic violence legal work and will also have requirements to provide coverage on a rotating basis for the SA hotline on nights and weekends. ***

SUMMARY

Advocate on behalf of sexual assault and domestic violence survivors with law enforcement, criminal justice and emergency department personnel. Engage law enforcement, criminal justice and medical systems in improving services to survivors of sexual assault and domestic violence. Provide training to professionals on issues related to sexual abuse/sexual assault and domestic violence.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Provide crisis intervention to survivors and their significant others as needed.

• Provide back-up to 24-hour volunteer hotline on a rotating basis with the other Medical/Legal advocates.

• Participate in departmental, line of service, and organizational meetings as required.

• Act as liaison between survivors and person(s) involved in the investigatory process, i.e., police, DCFS, state's attorney, ER nurse or physician. Coordinate services to reduce the number of investigative interviews survivors are expected to participate in.

• Prepare survivors and significant others for court proceedings to ensure their full participation.

• Facilitate survivors in court to obtain a civil no contact order (CNCO) for protection from the perpetrator.

• Accompany survivors and significant others to court hearings in order to provide support and to act as liaison between survivors and state's attorney's office, as warranted.

• Represent the survivor at their request with service institutions, including court, police, DCFS, hospital.

• Cultivate and maintain relationships with players in the criminal justice system, emergency room personnel, rape crisis center staff in order to coordinate services in the best interest of the survivor and their non-offending family members.

• Provide support, crisis intervention and individual advocacy until the state's attorney office refuses to prosecute the case; or, through to the disposition of the case in court. When the state's attorney office drops a case, the advocate refers the survivor to counseling services.

• Document and maintain service statistics and client files and case notes in compliance with policies and procedures of Pillars Community Health Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault Services. Turn in service statistics, personnel activity reports (PARs), and case notes to data entry worker on a weekly basis.

• Facilitate required number of training and education events with service providers on treatment of sexual assault and domestic violence survivors, sexual assault/domestic violence legislation, criminal justice and medical advocacy.

• Perform other duties as assigned to accomplish program goals and objectives.

• Participate in training and awareness activities during Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault Awareness Month in April and October.

QUALIFICATIONS:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed are representative of the knowledge, skill and or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable an individual with a disability to perform the essential duties and responsibilities.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

Bachelor's degree in Human Services or Criminal Justice, or equivalent combination of education and human services or criminal justice experience required. Illinois 60 hour sexual assault/domestic violence training preferred.

Valid IL driver's license. (Personal vehicle needed for transportation to/from office, courthouses, hospitals, or other community based events. Mileage for authorized work-related purposes is reimbursable.)

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

While performing the duties of this job the employee is regularly required to sit, talk and listen to adults, children and adolescents. Employee must travel to courthouses throughout Cook County, seven area hospitals and office at Hickory Hills. Dress is professional.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Employees must perform their duties in a professional, respectful manner as guests of the respective courthouses and hospital emergency rooms and as a representative of Pillars Community Health. At the same time, employees must adhere to the philosophy and mission of Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence Services to uphold the safety and confidentiality of sexual assault and domestic violence survivors

While performing in this job, the employee is likely to be exposed to disturbing descriptions of sexual and physical violence, emotional and verbal abuse and to encounters with women and children who have visible injuries and bruises resulting from the assault. Employees might encounter perpetrators of violence, while in court with the survivors.

PAY & BENEFIT INFORMATION

$20.00 per hour to $26.47 per hour

The Sexual Assault & Domestic Violence Advocates will receive $30 for each hotline shift requiring them to be available as the primary/first responder and $25 as the secondary/ back-up responder. On Holidays, Advocates will receive $60 for each hotline shift as the primary/first responder and $45 as the secondary/back-up responder. A shift is: 5 p.m. – 9 a.m. on weeknights or 9 a.m. – 9 p.m. and 9 p.m. – 9 a.m. on weekends and holidays

* Wage is based on one's experience, qualification, and bilingual language skills as compared with our position requirements and other similar employees within the organization.

Medical, dental, vision, short/long term disability, life, accident, critical illness, hospital indemnity, FSA, Employee Assistance Program, 401(k) retirement plan, paid time off for vacation, sick, personal time, & holidays. Professional development membership to Relias Essential Learning. Reimbursement for position related certifications.