ISTSS Sarah Haley Award

Why work at KCSARC?

At KCSARC, we not only value diversity – we celebrate it:  We are committed to creating a team as diverse as the communities we live in, and we believe that the more inclusive we are, the better our team will be.  We are rooted in a foundation of anti-racism and equity, which must be demonstrated in word and action.  As a proud equal opportunity employer, we welcome candidates of all races, ethnicities, genders, abilities, identities, religions and ages with diverse viewpoints and experiences. We encourage veterans, LGBTQ+ and multilingual candidates to apply, along with candidates who have an EAD (Employment Authorization Document), regardless of immigration status.

Solid history, a track record of success, and innovation: The agency opened its doors in 1976, so we have a significant tenure in the field of sexual assault and a track record of successful program implementation, systems change, and direct service to clients. But we’re not a static service provider – we continue to innovate with programming such as prevention education in schools and the communities we serve, Dando Voz to reach Spanish-speaking survivors, and Project360, addressing the intersection of sexual violence and youth homelessness.

Tackle some big issues: When you work at KCSARC, you are part of a challenging and rewarding experience. We address the important issues around sexual assault, as well as some of the most critical problems facing our community right now. Many of these, such as sex trafficking and homelessness, have links to sexual violence.

As an agency, we’re committed to supporting fundraising success: Our Chief Executive Officer, 75-member staff, and 20-member Board of Directors are engaged as ambassadors. Our Board and CEO have significant fundraising involvement.

Participate in the joyful – yes, joyful! – aspects of what we do: Our work at KCSARC is hopeful and life-affirming. While there is no question that sexual assault is a serious subject, we empower victims and their families, and help them move ahead with their lives.

No better team to have by your side: KCSARC staff are positive, upbeat, talented, and passionate professionals who take pride in their work and in the role KCSARC plays in the community. The agency has a commitment to fostering workforce diversity and to encouraging innovative thinking, making for a dynamic, interesting group of people all focused on a single issue.

Sure, this work is important. So is your life outside of work: Work-life balance is valued at KCSARC and most staff are able to work flexible schedules. We provide generous benefits and opportunities for professional growth, and have been voted a “Best Place to Work” by Washington CEO magazine.

Learn more about our competitive pay and outstanding benefits. 

Legal Advocate

Function: To provide advocacy services to victims of sexual assault while involved in the criminal justice system.

Hours: Full time-40 hours per week, Monday through Friday. Can occasionally include evenings and weekends

Salary: $70,800-$74,000, includes a 5% bilingual differential, if applicable

Status: Non-Exempt

Reports to: Legal Advocacy Manager and/or Legal Advocacy Supervisor

Essential Functions

  • Provide support and information to victims of sexual assault who are involved in the Criminal Justice Process
  • Assess the needs of the client and provide appropriate referrals and other collateral services
  • Assist the client in making informed decisions about police reporting
  • Provide ongoing emotional support to clients
  • Inform the client of Crime Victims Compensation benefits
  • Attend and provide support at interviews/hearings/trials/sentencing that the victim participates in
  • Actively monitor the status of the criminal case and keep clients informed of the status of their case
  • Communicate effectively with Detectives, Prosecutors and Defense Attorneys and others in the legal system
  • Establish an effective and supportive working relationship with a diverse population
  • Work with independent initiative and assertiveness
  • Provide information and support to victims and parents at Kid’s/Teen Court
  • Assist clients with protective orders
  • Give information about civil remedies
  • Attend Agency meetings and events
  • Duties as assigned by Legal Advocacy Manager and/or Legal Advocacy Supervisor

Internal Relationships

  • Actively participate in individual supervision
  • Attend internal case staffings
  • Attend agency meetings
  • Assist in training new staff
  • Teach sessions to new staff in CORE training as requested
  • Provide cross-departmental training as requested
  • Work collaboratively across departments
  • Consult and interface with other client services staff on specific cases as appropriate
  • Other duties as assigned

External Relationships

  • Interface with community professionals for the benefit of KCSARC (DCYF, KCPAO, DOC, LE, )
  • Participate in professional community groups as needed
  • Create and provide training to community groups as prioritized
  • Participate in outreach activities as needed

Personal Competencies

  • Work as an effective team member within the client services department
  • Ability to build rapport quickly with a diverse population
  • Ability to multi-task
  • Ability to prioritize and organize a caseload
  • Communicate emotionally difficult information
  • Skillfully empathetic
  • Ability to work with independence
  • Skillfully assertive
  • Ability to work with flexibility
  • Ability to work with initiative and assertiveness
  • Ability to read, write and speak English
  • Accept and practice the established Guiding Principles of KCSARC as a personal work guide
  • Accept and practice all established policies and procedures
  • Knowledge of sexual assault victimization and the healing process
  • Excellent interpersonal skills
  • Excellent decision making skills
  • Excellent professional judgement
  • Excellent written and oral communication skills
  • Excellent active listening skills
  • Excellent problem solving skills
  • Demonstrated ability to work independently and a strong work initiative
  • Ability to organize and prioritize competing work demands

Physical-mental-psychological skills

  • Ability to interface with the impact of secondary trauma
  • Ability to work with individuals in a high stress situation
  • Ability to uphold confidentiality
  • Ability to work in an environment where schedules and appointments vary and change quickly
  • Ability to efficiently travel between Renton and the three different courthouses in Kent and Seattle

Technical Functions

  • Ability to use Word, Access based database system, Outlook
  • Proficiency in working with multiple video platforms such as zoom, teams, etc.
  • Keyboarding skills
  • Ability to use a standard telephone and VOIP phone applications

Requirements

Minimum Experience Required:

  • 4 year college degree plus 1 year directly related work experience OR
  • 2 years college/vocational training plus 3 years related work experience OR
  • 6 years directly related work experience

Position Requirements:

  • Some Travel Required (travel, workspace etc.)
  • Must have current car insurance
  • Must have a valid driver’s license

Preferred Experience:

  • Experience in providing assistance to victims of sexual assault
  • Demonstrated knowledge of the criminal justice system
  • Experience working with culturally-diverse populations
  • Multi-lingual and Multicultural skills

Summary

Benefits:

  • Medical
  • Vision and dental coverage (employer paid for employee)
  • Short-term & long-term disability
  • HSA, HRA, and FSA Options
  • (20) Personal Time Off (PTO) days per year, progressively increases
  • Up to 10 hours of Wellness time per quarter
  • 401(k) retirement Options (up to%5 matching)
  • 9 Holidays including Juneteenth and two floating holidays
  • Dependent care options

Click here to apply.

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