Legal Advocate/Attorney, Multi-Ethnic Domestic Violence Project, Women's Law Center of Maryland, Towson, MD

Legal Advocate/Attorney - Multi-Ethnic Domestic Violence Project

Posted on: December 4, 2014
Application deadline: January 7, 2015
Start date: February 2, 2015
Posted by: Women's Law Center of Maryland

The Women's Law Center of Maryland, Inc. (WLC) is a feminist, non-profit membership organization committed to assuring equal rights for women. The MEDOVI Project provides free immigration legal services to Maryland residents who are foreign-born victims of domestic violence, human sex trafficking, intimate partner stalking and/or sexual assault.

JOB DESCRIPTION

1. Conduct in-depth client intake interviews with foreign-born victims of domestic violence, primarily from the Spanish-speaking community but throughout the world, to prepare applications for VAWA Self-Petition cases, U-Visa cases, and T-Visa cases, among others.
2. Provide information to foreign-born victims of domestic violence about legal remedies and resources, including information about the immigration process and the availability of Protective Orders.
3. Provide information to Spanish-speaking and foreign-born victims of domestic violence about available community services and agencies. Provide follow-up services and referrals to clients.
4. Conduct community outreach and education in the Spanish-speaking community and other foreign-born communities regarding legal options available for victims of domestic violence within those communities.
5. Give presentations on MEDOVI's immigration services.
6. Provide general support to Project Director in case management duties and responsibilities.
7. Translate various documents from Spanish to English and English to Spanish, when necessary.
8. Develop and maintain relationships with service providers of all types within the Spanish-speaking community. Where applicable and as time permits, attend and participate in committees and task forces concerned with domestic violence, human sex trafficking and sexual assault.
9. Advocate on behalf of clients with representatives of the criminal justice system and accompany clients to criminal proceedings and family law cases, when necessary.
10. Participate in preparation of reports to grantors and requests for new funding. Maintain project files.
11. Provide legal advocate services to Spanish-speaking POARP (Protective Order Advocacy and Representation Project) clients as need arises and resources allow.
12. As part of the WLC team, participate in project membership and development.
13. Other duties as assigned.

COMPENSATION

1. Mid to high 30s depending on experience
2. Benefits include health insurance coverage, simple IRA, paid vacation and sick leave
3. Parking subsidy

REQUIREMENTS

1. Must be fluent in Spanish.
2. Experience working with victims of domestic violence and sexual assault preferred.
3. Familiarity with Maryland court systems preferred.
4. Bachelor's Degree, JD or equivalent preferred. Education requirements may be substituted with relevant work experience.
5. Must be committed to public service and to providing excellent legal services to all clients.
6. Familiarity with immigration processes preferred.
7. Must understand the issues facing foreign-born victims of domestic violence and sexual assault, and have respect for the role a victim's culture and ethnicity may have on a case.
8. Must have excellent judgment and strong interpersonal skills. Must be well organized, creative, empathetic, and people oriented.
9. Must have excellent written and oral communication skills. Public speaking experience preferred.
10. Must have demonstrated ability to handle multiple professional projects simultaneously and thoroughly without close supervision.
11. Be able to work independently towards MEDOVI's.
12. Must be flexible and a team player.
13. Must have own transportation to travel throughout the state.

HOW TO APPLY 

To apply: send resume, cover letter, and references to:

Laure Ruth
Legal Director
The Women's Law Center of Maryland, Inc.
305 West Chesapeake Avenue
Suite 201
Towson, Maryland 21204

Via Email: lruth@wlcmd.org or FAX: 410-321-0462

Position open until January 7, 2014.

Trauma Counselor/Social Worker, Black Women's Blueprint, Brooklyn, NY

Trauma Counselor/Social Worker

Posted on: March 17, 2013

Application deadline: May 17, 2013

Posted by: Black Women's Blueprint

DESCRIPTION

28hrs/week (4 days)

$30,000/year

Basic Function: To provide counseling services to individuals and families who have experienced sexual assault and other forms of sexual violence, domestic violence, and stalking in order to promote long-term healing from the effects of violence and abuse.

Specific Duties

1. Conduct psychosocial assessments.
2. Provide on-going counseling and support groups for those who have survived physical and/or sexual abuse.
3. Lead effective coordination of resources with case management programs in order to ensure comprehensive services that maintain the respect and dignity of each survivor.
4. Conduct outreach as needed.
5. Maintain accurate and current records as required by the agency and its funding sources.
6. Maintain cordial professional relationships with allied professionals. Provide information to agencies and organizations that serve survivors of violence or express interest in receiving information regarding this population.
7. Complete in a timely fashion all necessary weekly and monthly records that pertain to services provided, time and attendance, travel and workshop reimbursement, continuing education--which is received or provided--and other records deemed appropriate by the organization.

General Qualifications

• Appreciation of the agency's philosophical understanding regarding violence and oppression
• Demonstrable commitment to your personal healing as key to working responsibly and effectively with others
• Demonstrable commitment to developing trauma-focused counseling and advocacy skills
• Willingness to work flexible hours, including some weekend and evening hours
• Demonstrable commitment to creating and maintaining a work environment reflective of the agency's mission and philosophy regarding working relations
• Demonstrable commitment to contributing to the operation and growth of the agency by taking on administrative/operational tasks and providing leadership as appropriate
• Ability to balance autonomy, responsibility, and collaboration
• Multi-cultural and multi-lingual a plus
• Strong organizational skills and interest in maintaining a structured, warm, healing-conducive environment

Black Women's Blueprint aims to be an information and resource center regarding all aspects of sexual violence in communities of African descendants. It provides leadership, consultation, and technical assistance by generating and facilitating the development and flow of information on sexual violence intervention and prevention strategies that are culturally relevant, appropriate, and rooted in Black feminist/womanist, including anti-racist and intersectional analysis. Black Women's Blueprint works to address the causes and impact of sexual violence through collaboration, training, and education, prevention efforts, and the distribution of resources.

My Sisters Keeper and Black Women's Blueprint seek a candidate who shares our vision and philosophy, including core beliefs such as (1) sexual assault, domestic violence, and dating violence are direct violations of our human rights; (2) healing from the effects of those experiences is a life-long process; and (3) commitment to healing is a key to our well-being, effective relationships with others, healthy and equitable communities, and meaningful political change.

HOW TO APPPLY

MORE / LESS

Submit cover letter and resume via email to MY SISTER'S KEEPER/BLACK WOMEN'S BLUEPRINT ftanis@blueprintny.org and CC flowers.tashima@gmail.com In a cover letter, briefly describe your view of the core impacts of trauma from violence on victim-survivors and their families and communities. Explain your investment in working with this population and what you bring to the work. Your letter must be succinct, not to exceed one page. We strongly encourage individuals who represent one or more underserved populations (e.g., people of color, lesbians, gays, bisexuals, transgender, people with disabilities, immigrants, etc.) to apply. The position is open until filled.