Job Description

COURT ADVOCATE
Primarily in North Adams

Elizabeth Freeman Center (EFC) seeks an advocate to provide support, advocacy, and crisis response for survivors of domestic and sexual violence in county courts through our SAFEPLAN Program. This position is primarily based in Northern Berkshire District Court with some coverage in Central Berkshire and other courts as needed.

Responsibilities include:
Provide crisis intervention, support, and information to survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking who come to court seeking protection orders
Assist survivors in completing protection order application forms and accompany survivors in court
Create individualized safety plans with each client
Assess circumstances and emergency needs and provide assistance to meet those needs, including for shelter, safety, basic needs, and transportation
Connect survivors with internal and external community resources with follow-up as appropriate
Advocate on issues of housing, finances and benefits, children, medical and mental health care, etc.
Develop and advance collaborative working relationships with clerks, judges, prosecutors, judges, victim witness advocates, and other members of the justice system
Contribute to outreach and collaboration efforts with community partners, and in providing community education, disseminating program outreach materials, and tabling at community events
Contribute to office, phone, and crisis intervention coverage as assigned
Maintain appropriate and professional boundaries with individuals receiving EFC services and adhere to strict guidelines and protocols to ensure client confidentiality
Perform other duties as directed to promote agency mission

Preferred qualifications include:
Experience working with survivors of domestic and/or sexual violence
Experience in advocacy, community organizing, and/or community engagement
Knowledge of and/or interest in the court system
Skills in spoken and written communication, computer/technology, and collaboration
Demonstrated commitment to providing survivors of domestic and sexual violence with holistic, accessible, trauma-informed, strength-based victim services and advocacy
Bachelor or Associate Degree (may be waived for relevant, comparable level of work or life experience)
Bilingual English/Spanish or other frequently used languages
Must successfully pass Criminal Record Check-CORI, be suitable to work with minors, and have valid Massachusetts driver's license and reliable transportation

Work Hours:
40 hours per week. Court hours are 8:30 am to 4:30 pm. Occasional evening and weekend work required for outreach activities.

Compensation and benefits:
Elizabeth Freeman Center believes in offering all staff: competitive salary and benefits, engaged and dedicated colleagues, training and education in best practices, career development opportunities, openness to innovation, and the opportunity and resources to do meaningful, impactful work. This position currently begins at $22 per hour plus $1.00/hour increment for bilingual skills, additional increments for other frequently used languages, special skills and education, and a year-end stipend depending on funding. EFC pays 85% of health insurance premiums and contributes to an FSA. EFC has generous paid leave as well as other benefits.

EFC is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer. Survivors of domestic or sexual violence, people of color, people with disabilities, people who are bilingual/bicultural, and members of the LGBTQ community are strongly encouraged to apply.