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Job Description 

Position:  Essex County Family Justice Center (ECFJC) Bilingual Legal Advocate  

Location: Newark, New Jersey, and Hybrid 
Compensation: $45,000 Full time with benefits 

 

ESSEX COUNTY FAMILY JUSTICE CENTER

The Center enhances the safety and autonomy of domestic violence victims by providing centralized, trauma-informed, coordinated, comprehensive services. The Center was established in direct response to the high rates of domestic violence homicides consistently being documented in the New Jersey State Police Crime Report for Essex County and Newark from 2004 to the present.  Research confirms that marginalized groups are disproportionately impacted by violent trauma, and Newark domestic violence survivors face almost insurmountable barriers to 
accessing trauma-specific services. The Center reduces these barriers by co-locating 
multidisciplinary professionals at its facility, providing a one-stop intake function, and offering current, but limited, provision of therapeutic services. 

 

Description:

The Bilingual Legal Advocate will provide crisis intervention, safety planning, and legal advocacy to clients seeking assistance with the civil legal process, including but not limited to final restraining orders, custody, divorce, child support, and immigration. Reports directly to the Program Director. 

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Responsibilities include: 

• Assisting clients in navigating the legal system, understanding their rights, and accessing appropriate resources.  

• Working closely with attorneys, social workers, and other legal professionals to ensure comprehensive client support.  

• Providing support in cases involving domestic violence, divorce, child custody, and other family-related legal issues 

• Provide information about the criminal legal process vs. the civil legal process 

• Conduct a comprehensive legal intake with the client 

• Assess for risk of danger, utilizing standardized risk assessment tools 

• Assist client with the development of a safety plan for self and child/ren 

• Provide support and court accompaniment to victims of domestic violence who are proceeding pro se through the civil protective process 

• Provide information about the victim’s legal options available for victims of domestic violence 

• Provide information about the Prevention of Domestic Violence Act and related statutes 

• Facilitate referrals to appropriate civil legal services 

• Facilitate referrals to on-site and off-site law enforcement agencies, when appropriate 

• Maintain accurate and confidential records 

• Explain how proceedings work; evidence requirements 

 

Qualifications: 

•  Minimum of a bachelor’s degree or five years of experience with civil protective process in NJ  

•  Minimum of two years’ experience in the domestic violence field required 

•  Completion of 40 hours domestic violence course is preferred 

•  Ability to work independently as well as collaboratively 

•  Bilingual Spanish/ Portuguese preferred 

 

 

To Apply: Email Resume & Cover Letter to jobs@essexcountyfjc.org 

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