Job Description

Sexual Violence Legal AdvocateThe Sexual Assault Support Centre of Waterloo Region supports survivors of sexual violence. We listen, facilitate healing, and celebrate resiliency. Using an anti-racist, intersectional feminist approach, we work to transform systems which promote gender-based violence.Due to the success of a recent grant, we're really excited to announce that we're recruiting for a Sexual Violence Legal Advocate! This will be a full-time, 12-month contract role. This innovative and precedent setting position will provide support, advocacy, and accompaniment to survivors of sexual violence that are engaged in criminal justice and civil cases. The successful candidate should feel inspired by our work and have a genuine desire to support our mission, vision, and values. They'll have a warmth about them that helps foster a safe, supportive environment for survivors.Essential Requirements

• Post-secondary education in a social justice related program.
• Knowledge of the criminal justice system.
• Experience providing advocacy.

Key Areas of Responsibility

• Inform survivors of sexual assault of their basic legal rights, processes, and how to assert them within the criminal and civil justice systems.
• Assistance in preparing clients for court.
• Assist clients in interactions with criminal justice professionals and/or private lawyers.

Knowledge and Skills Required:

• A strong understanding of gender-based violence and the criminal justice system.
• Familiarity with intersectionality and acknowledge the impact of oppressive systems and services.
• Proven skills in support, crisis intervention, and advocacy with survivors of gender-based violence.

Compensation and Benefits: At SASC, all compensation ranges are grouped into pay "grades" and we base our compensation structure on internal equity. When determining rate of pay, a candidate's previous, related experience will be taken into consideration along with where current staff, with similar experience, are currently paid within the relevant pay grade.Note: Most new team members will start close to the entry point of the range. SASC has a 35-hour work week.Pay Grade: 4Min: $28.48 per hour; $51,833.60 per annumMax: $33.50 per hour; $60,970.00 per annumAnti-Racism/Anti-Oppression StatementWe recognize that sexual violence disproportionately impacts women, trans, and non-binary people. We particularly recognize the impact of racism and colonialism on Black, Indigenous, and racialized women, girls, gender-diverse, and two-spirit survivors. We acknowledge that the majority of our work takes place on the traditional territory of the Neutral, Anishinaabeg, and Haudenosaunee peoples. Our main office at 151 Frederick Street in Kitchener, Ontario is situated on the Haldimand Tract, the land granted to the Six Nations that includes six miles on either side of the Grand River.We are committed to providing an inclusive and barrier-free work environment. We adhere to the principles of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). We strive to make our recruitment, assessment, and selection processes accessible and provide accommodations as requested for applicants with differing abilities. Only information required to facilitate the accommodation will be shared with those involved in the recruitment process, otherwise accommodation requests will remain confidential. If you require accommodations at any point during the application and/or hiring process, please contact Human Resources at 519-571-0121 x102.Given all of this, we encourage applications from women, trans, and non-binary candidates, especially those who identify as Black, First Nations, Metis, Inuit, racialized, as members of 2SLGBTQIA+ communities, and/or as a person with a disability. We invite candidates to voluntarily self-identify as a member of a diverse and/or disenfranchised group as part of their application.COVID-19 Vaccination Protocol: To maintain the safety of our team, service users, and community, all new staff are required to provide proof of being fully vaccinated against COVID-19 as a pre-condition of their employment.How to Apply: This position requires the successful candidate have a valid driver's license, access to a vehicle, and a satisfactory Vulnerable Sector Police Check. A flexible schedule is required for evening and weekend work. This position is set to begin as soon as possible. Please submit a current cover letter and resume as one PDF document. We thank all candidates for their interest; however,only those selected for an interview will be contacted.Unless you require accommodations, no phone calls or email inquiries please.____________________________________________________________________ - Sexual Violence Legal AdvocateJob PurposeReporting to the Director of Services, the Sexual Violence Legal Advocate is responsible for supporting survivors through legal processes related to sexual violence and trauma.The Legal Advocate will support survivors who reach out to SASC seeking information on legal resources and/or assistance navigating the criminal or civil legal system. They will be accountable to provide supportive, strengths-based, non-judgmental advocacy, accompaniments, systems navigation, and psycho-education to survivors who have been impacted by sexual violence.Duties and Responsibilities

• Provide support services to victims and survivors of sexual assault, sexual harassment, and intimate partner violence.
• Inform survivors of sexual assault of their basic legal rights, processes, and how to assert them within the criminal and civil justice systems.
• Conduct client intakes, assess needs and implement strategies to meet the legal needs of survivors in the community.
• Assistance in preparing clients for court.
• Provide advocacy and accompaniments to survivors. Active monitoring of the case in a legal setting or hearing.
• Assist clients in interactions with criminal justice professionals and/or private lawyers.
• Write letters of support/advocacy and therapy reports.
• Participate in case conferences and consultations.
• Make appropriate referrals to other community services and communicate with other service providers to support clients.
• Maintain and build community partnerships, within the Legal advocate role.
• Provide practical assistance to clients as necessary and access to VQRP+ when available. (ie. bus tickets, grocery vouchers, hygiene products, food items, book loans, etc.)
• Keep abreast of changes in laws and reporting requirements.
• Make sure client files and data including progress notes are up to date on a regular basis, and elevate issues and programmatic needs.
• Collect, track, analyze and complete data reporting in alignment with requirements for both SASC as well as adhering to funder requirements.
• Participate in internal and external supervision and team meetings.

Additionally, in a small agency, it is often the case that work of a nature similar to that in each job is either assigned or known to be necessary to be done. As well, from time to time, work that is not similar in nature to the job may also be required to be done by individuals in any job in order to accomplish the SASC's purpose.Qualifications

• Post-secondary education in a social justice program.
• Experience advocating for victims/survivors of violence, preferably sexual violence
• Understanding of the criminal justice system, and demonstrated ability to describe the criminal justice process and articulate the needs of survivors within that process.
• Knowledge and training pertaining to sexual violence, trauma and recovery.
• Demonstrated dedication to the anti-violence movement, social justice, and gender equity
• Proven skills in support, crisis intervention, safety planning, and advocacy with survivors of gender-based violence.
• Familiarity with intersectionality and acknowledge the impact of oppressive systems and services.
• Demonstrated experience working with marginalized and at-risk communities.
• Experience supporting and advocating for survivors with mental health needs, safety concerns, etc.
• Ability to conduct self in a professional manner.
• Exceptional organizational, time-management, and communication skills.
• A strong ability to work independently, with minimal supervision.
• Must attend and successfully complete volunteer training program upon initial employment.

Communications Strong communications and interpersonal/human relations skills are required in the position to articulate policy, concepts, etc., motivate others and effect change both inside and outside the organization. There is regular contact with clients, as well as community partners.Working Conditions This job is partly performed in a comfortable office environment, with occasional travel around Waterloo Region to partner agencies. Much of the work in the office involves sitting, but there is opportunity to stand and move about.This job requires intense concentration during meetings with clients. Repeated exposure to details of violence and assault can lead to vicarious trauma. The need for debriefing, communication with management, self-care, and balance is critical for incumbents in this position.Direct Reports While no employees report to this position, the Sexual Violence Legal Advocate will report to the Director of Services and may supervise the work of students in the program.Job Types: Full-time, Fixed term contract
Contract length: 12 monthsPay: $28.48-$33.50 per hourBenefits:

• Casual dress
• Dental care
• Employee assistance program
• Extended health care
• Flextime
• Paid time off
• RRSP match
• Tuition reimbursement
• Vision care
• Work from home

Schedule:

• Day shift
• Monday to Friday
• Overtime
• Weekend availability

Ability to commute/relocate:

• Kitchener, ON: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (required)