Staff Attorney
House of Ruth Maryland
Location
Prince George's County
Category
Other Staff, Paralegal
Posted
October 8, 2024
Type
Full-Time
Description/Duties
SUMMARY OF POSITION
The House of Ruth Maryland Domestic Violence Legal Clinic (the Clinic) provides free legal services to survivors of intimate partner violence in order to help them gain safety and independence from their abusive partners. The Clinic seeks applicants who are passionate about ending domestic violence and public service. This is an entry-level position which offers intensive training in working with survivors of domestic violence, the dynamics of domestic violence, and interviewing techniques. The candidate for this position must be bilingual in Spanish and English.
The Legal Advocate – Protective Order Advocacy and Representation Project (POARP) is the first point of contact for survivors of domestic violence who are seeking legal services for protective order and family law cases. Legal advocates conduct detailed interviews with potential clients to assess their legal needs, determine their history of abuse, and provide lethality assessment, safety planning and referrals. Legal advocates work with the Clinic’s attorneys to provide legal information to clients and connect clients with the attorneys for representation in protective order and family law cases. The Legal Advocate works on-site in the Clinic’s offices located in the Prince George’s County courthouses, which enables the Legal Advocate to provide immediate legal intervention to clients on a walk-in basis and to develop meaningful connections to courthouse personnel.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Provide high-quality, trauma-informed services to survivors of intimate partner violence.
- Conduct comprehensive consultations with potential clients, which include a thorough interview about recent and past incidents of abuse, safety planning, lethality assessment, and referrals to appropriate community and legal resources.
- Provide prompt, compassionate services to clients on a walk-in basis and via phone.
- Maintain the Clinic’s client database and systems used for tracking clients’ cases.
- Other duties as assigned.
Skills/Qualifications
EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION:
- Bilingual in Spanish and English with ability to pass a language proficiency test
- Bachelor’s degree or equivalent advocacy experience
- Demonstrated commitment to ending domestic violence
REQUIRED CERTIFICATION OR LICENSE:
- Ability to pass criminal background check.
Compensation
Pay: $20-22/hour
House of Ruth Maryland offers a comprehensive Total Rewards Package that will include but is not limited to medical insurance, prescription plan, dental insurance, vision insurance, paid time off, life insurance, 403(b) retirement savings plan, and Employee Assistance Program.
House of Ruth Maryland upholds the mission of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission by being an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. All applicants will be considered for employment and will not be excluded because of color, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, disability status or age.