Client Advocate

Position: Client Advocate

Program: Anti-Violence Project

Department: Legal Services

Reports to: Program Manager

Compensation: $74,500 Annually

Status: 100%, Full-Time, Exempt, Regular

Probation: 180 Days

Benefits: Medical, Dental, Vision; also including Life Insurance, Long-Term Disability, Employee Assistance Program, and a 403(b) Retirement Plan

Center’s Mission:

Building a world where LGBT people thrive as healthy, equal, and complete members of society.

DEPARTMENT SUMMARY: The Legal Services Department provides trauma-informed and client-centered holistic services, including consultations, representation, legal advocacy and safety planning to members of the LGBTQIA2S+ communities, with a focus on serving transgender, non-binary and intersex adults, immigrants at-risk of deportation, and youth and seniors at risk of homelessness. Our clients are predominantly BIPOC survivors of violence and discrimination, including domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, hate crimes/incidents, and police/government misconduct. We have 4 inter-related projects: Community Legal Clinics, Legal Advocacy Project for Survivors/Anti-Violence Project, Immigration Law Project, and Homeless Youth and Housing Rights Project. Each project serves clients at multiple locations, including: the Trans Wellness Center in Koreatown, Mi Centro in Boyle Heights, Center South in Leimert Park, and the Village and the Youth Center—across from each other in Hollywood.

JOB SUMMARY: Under the supervision of the Program Manager and in coordination with the Anti-Violence Project and other Legal Services Department staff, and on behalf of LGBTQIA2S+ victims of crime: 1) expand the direct provision of comprehensive legal services and assistance; 2) expand access to comprehensive services; 3) increase service capacity; 4) advance institutional change in the court system and with service providers. On-site presence at Center Community Program locations, the Department office and/or in court and/or at community partner locations is required 4 days a week.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Manage a client caseload by providing assistance to victims of crime, including survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, hate violence, stalking, trafficking, and other forms of violence. Services encompass crisis intervention, safety planning, limited case management, housing advocacy, advocacy with law enforcement and prosecutorial agencies, and court accompaniment. Under the supervision of an attorney, assist in preparation of restraining orders and victim impact statements, providing advocacy letters, and filing Name and Gender Marker petitions.
• Maintain detailed records on the status of all cases handled, including tracking all data and documenting all interactions, as well as documenting all ongoing professional development.
• Provide technical assistance to other Legal staff, emphasizing safety planning and advocacy for crime victims.
• Provide services at Center Community Program site locations, the department office, and remotely.
• Co-facilitate community Know Your Rights workshops and participate in outreach events as needed.
• Attend and convene meetings and community events to build and maintain coalitions and collaborations with victim support agencies, social services providers, law enforcement, prosecutorial agencies, judicial system, and other community partners, including legal services providers.
• Manage and oversee other administrative and operational responsibilities related to the essential functions mentioned above.
• Attend all staff meetings and take a primary role in weekly case assessment meetings.
• Other duties as assigned.

JOB QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE:

• Knowledge of or experience working with the LGBTQ community and familiarity with issues of particular relevance to LGBTQ people.
• A passion for the Center’s work and its mission to make the world a better place for LGBTQ people.
• Minimum 2 years’ experience working or volunteering with victims/survivors of violence and/or trauma, including providing crisis counseling and safety planning.
• Minimum 3 years’ involvement in LGBTQIA2S+ community, either through work or volunteering.
• Completion of or open to completing a 40+ hour IPV/SA training.
• Proficiency in managing client caseloads, grant reporting, and other essential administrative tasks.
• Skilled in case management.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to triage and manage multiple tasks under pressure in a fast-paced environment.
• Flexibility to work evenings and weekends.
• Access to reliable transportation and the ability to be insured.
• Bilingual skills, a plus (English/Spanish fluency preferred).
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with people of diverse races, ethnicities, nationalities, sexual orientations, gender identities, gender expression, socio-economic backgrounds, religions, ages, English-speaking abilities, immigration status, and physical abilities in a multicultural environment

The Los Angeles LGBT Center is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to fostering diversity within its staff. Applications are encouraged from all persons regardless of their race, color, ancestry, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, sex, pregnancy, childbirth and related medical conditions, religion, disability, age, military or veteran status, including status as a victim of domestic violence, assault or stalking, genetic information (including family medical history), political affiliation or activities, medical or health conditions, and marital status.

The Center has implemented a policy requiring all staff to be up-to-date with COVID-19 vaccinations as a condition of employment, subject to applicable federal, state and local laws. For more information, please contact jobs@lalgbtcenter.org