Domestic violence nonprofit with decades of proven success is seeking a Court Advocate to join our team.

WHAT WE DO

Since 1979, Gateway shelters have provided caring, comprehensive services and safe shelter to adults and dependent children fleeing domestic violence. Our 24/7 shelters offer licensed counseling, emergency and extended-stay care, and court advocacy services for victims of domestic violence and their families, in Arapahoe County, Colorado.

Working with Gateway provides an opportunity to serve the community and support our mission to prevent and eliminate intimate partner violence through counseling, residential care, and empowering people for social change.

Learn more about us at: https://gatewayshelter.org/

THE OPPORTUNITY

Under the supervision of the Director of Court Advocacy Program, the Court Advocate will provide advocacy and education services to victims of domestic violence including adults and children when present. These services will include crisis intervention, advocacy, referrals, assistance with court testimony, and access to community resources.

WHAT YOU WILL BE DOING

Advocacy:

• Serves as the initial point of contact for those who come to the Aurora Municipal Court House concerning a Domestic Violence case and to those that are referred or those who call seeking support.
• Uses trauma-informed approach while assessing the advocacy needs of victims of domestic violence and coordinates with criminal justice system personnel and key community contacts.
• Acts as an advocate on individual cases of domestic violence in the criminal justice system.
• Provide activities at courthouse for children on a regular basis and provides them with age-appropriate information on domestic violence if appropriate.
• Provide advocacy and follow up services as needed for adults and children; may act as liaison between local agencies and clients; completes child abuse reports, when necessary, in a timely manner according to mandatory reporting laws.
• Maintains complete client files, including standard forms and progress notes; records all client contact; prepares statistical tallies monthly. Maintains confidentiality within the requirements of the law.
• Ensures that proper safety precautions and security procedures are followed.
• Assists with adult and child safety planning.
• Provides appropriate referrals to other services.
• Assists adult with victim's compensation applications.
• Develop awareness of community resources available for referral purposes; may participate in maintenance of resource file and/or make site visits to develop knowledge of community resource.

Community Work:

• Serve as community liaison with outside agencies or groups as needed.
• Develop resources for children in the community as service needs arise in Gateway's client population.
• Provide speaking engagements with a specific focus on children when needed.
• Provide court testimony for clients and/or accompany children to court, as needed.
• Trauma-informed trained.

WHAT YOU WILL BRING TO OUR ORGANIZATION

• Bachelor's Degree in Counseling, Social Work, Human Services, Criminal Justice, or related field preferred, but related work experience will be considered.
• Experience with domestic violence and/or abused children is required.
• Crisis intervention and knowledge of the criminal justice system is helpful (Or any equivalent combination of education and experience).
• Sensitivity to cultural and socioeconomic characteristics of population served.
• Strong knowledge of local housing resources.
• Bilingual skills strongly preferred.

The successful candidate:

• Embodies Gateway's core values and believes fully in Gateway mission.
• Inspires passion, innovation, and action through transparency in their work.
• Experience with domestic violence, knowledge of trauma informed care.
• Values DEI and advances equity throughout the organization.
• Has a positive attitude and openness to supporting people in crisis.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.
• Works effectively as part of a team to deliver overall services.
• CPR and First Aid certified, preferred.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.

WHAT OUR ORGANIZATION IS PROVIDING

• Expected annual salary range of $19.80 -21.50 per hour.
• Health insurance.
• Life insurance.
• Mileage reimbursement.
• Paid time off, accruing at a rate of 4.6 hours per pay period.
• 10 paid holidays.
• Work schedule is Monday – Friday 7-3, with occasional evenings and weekends for events and other activities.

Gateway provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, genetics, veteran status, or other legally protected characteristics. In addition to federal law requirements, Gateway complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.

Gateway will not discriminate or retaliate against applicants who inquire about, disclose, or discuss their compensation or that of other applicants.

Gateway will consider for employment all qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with applicable law.

Gateway expressly prohibits any form of workplace harassment based on race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, genetic information, disability, or veteran status. Improper interference with the ability of Gateway employees to perform their job duties may result in discipline up to and including discharge.