Justice System Advocate

The Justice System Advocate assists victims of domestic violence and related crimes by providing a full range of services including assistance with compensation claims, crisis intervention, court support, case status, community referrals, community awareness, and performs related duties as needed.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

• Provide crisis intervention and emergency assistance by making immediate assessment of needs and make referrals to other community resources
• Assist with applications for State Victim Assistance Compensation by obtaining necessary information and documents, filling out and processing required paperwork, and following case through payment of bills; Coordinate with victim service providers and the Ohio Attorney General’s Office
• Orient victims to the criminal justice system by explaining procedural status of criminal proceedings or cases; Provide court support to victims
• Initiate case records and provide necessary documentation of case activities in a timely manner to the JSA Coordinator
• Act as an advocate for victims to ensure their needs are addressed by the community and criminal justice system; Confer with law enforcement and prosecutors on the status of cases and assist with preparation of temporary protection orders, reimbursement claims, and other processes designed to protect the rights of victims
• Provide support to victims and family during interviews with law enforcement officers, attorneys, and court personnel; Explain criminal justice system rights to victim
• Provide victims with follow-up contacts relating to case status/disposition, information such as charges filed, status of criminal proceedings, terms and conditions of probation, and parole hearings and release date, if applicable
• Promote Journey Center and its Justice System Advocacy program through community meetings
• Facilitate weekly support group for domestic violence victims
• Maintain positive working relationships internally and with assigned courts and municipalities

ADDITIONAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Respect, understand, and promote Journey Center’s mission, vision, values, and goals
• Complete agency orientation and training to meet job requirements
• Assumes other responsibilities and duties as directed or assigned

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent years of experience required
• Working with victims of domestic violence preferred
• Must have and maintain a valid Ohio driver’s license and appropriate insurance coverage; Must maintain appropriate driving record
• Must be available for extended and non-traditional work hours; Ability to tailor work hours to meet needs of families

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and Personal Characteristics

• Considerable knowledge of criminal justice system, crisis intervention practices, interviewing, community resources, crime victimization, victim’s rights, and advocacy techniques
• Computer skills with word processing, database management, e-mail, fax, windows application capabilities
• Ability to make sensitive and insightful observations of individuals and to determine a course of intervention
• Ability to address crisis situations which require prompt decision and action
• Knowledge of safety issues
• Knowledge of social, emotional, and personal aspects of domestic violence
• Working knowledge of community resources available for adult victims of domestic violence
• Ability to perform job duties with a high degree of initiative and independent judgment
• Ability to analyze problems and develop a plan of action/correction
• Ability to organize work, engage in a variety of tasks, and consistently meet deadlines
• Demonstrated sound judgment and outstanding interpersonal skills
• Emotional maturity, stability, personal integrity, initiative, and resourcefulness
• Ability to communicate clearly and sensitively with staff, board members, accrediting bodies, grantors, funding bodies, clients, volunteers, and the general public
• Good written and verbal communication skills
• Working ability to communicate effectively with victims, defendants, law enforcement, and court personnel; coordinate and maintain effective working relationships with courts, agencies, and individuals
• Ability to perform job duties with a high degree of initiative and independent judgment
• Computer skills with word processing, database management, e-mail, fax, windows application capabilities
• Commitment to child abuse and domestic violence prevention
• Experience in and commitment to building and supporting trauma informed organizations
• Maintain a positive attitude
• Thorough knowledge of rules, regulations, functions, procedures, organization, and policies governing the operations of Journey Center for Safety and Healing
• Ability to incorporate Journey Center’s Values into assigned duties

PHYSICAL AND MENTAL DEMANDS

• Ability to perform job responsibilities with multiple levels and without elevators
• Must be able to provide services at various locations
• Communicate with others in person, electronically, or by phone on a consistent basis
• Regular and predictable attendance

This position description is not intended to be a complete list of all responsibilities, duties or skills required for the job and is subject to review and change at any time, with or without notice, in accordance with the needs of Journey Center for Safety and Healing. Since no position description can detail all the duties and responsibilities that may be required from time to time in the performance of a job, duties and responsibilities that may be inherent in a job, reasonably required for its performance, or required due to the changing nature of the job shall also be considered part of the job holder’s responsibility.