Job Description
Our Mission:
Cornerstone’s continuum of service helps to create communities where individuals and families are safe and children thrive. We advocate, educate and lead the way to social change .
Summary of Cornerstone Cornerstone is a $5.5 million organization that provides comprehensive services for individuals and families in the greater Twin Cities metropolitan area who are experiencing or have experienced domestic violence, sexual violence, human trafficking or general crime. Our offices are located in Bloomington, Brooklyn Center and Minneapolis. Learn more at .
Diversity and Inclusion: We are committed to a nondiscriminatory approach and provide equal opportunity for employment and advancement in all of our departments, programs, and worksites.
BIPOC and LGBTQ+ community are strongly encouraged to apply. Salary range: $19.00-$21.63 This position offers the ability to join the union.
Job Summary: The CCJI Advocate position provides trauma informed, survivor-centered, and culturally responsive services to victims/survivors of domestic and sexual violence. Advocacy responsibilities include providing civil and criminal legal advocacy services to victims/survivors in a knowledgeable, empathetic manner. This position assists with the navigation of working with local law enforcement, prosecutors, probation officers, judges, court personnel and systems professionals to meet the needs of all victims/survivors.
Experience/Qualifications: Bachelor’s degree in psychology, social work, human services or related field or comparable combination of career and life experiences. A minimum of 1-2 years’ experience working within the anti-violence field and/or systems (e.g. criminal justice, social services, etc.). Completion of 40 Hour Sexual Assault Advocacy training required within first 3-6 months of employment.
Hours/Schedule: This is a full-time flexible position, working 40 hours a week. Schedule includes working Monday – Friday between the hours of 8am-5pm. It will be hybrid - working from Cornerstone’s offices, community partner locations, courts, and some flexibility to work from home.
Essential Functions: - Broad knowledge of resources and systems which interface with victims/survivors of violence and the skills to work in both a team and individual setting.
- Ability to work effectively with law enforcement to support both the victims/survivors requested needs and the criminal justice response.
- General understanding of crime victim’s rights, civil remedies, and the criminal justice systems with the understanding additional training will be provided.
- Ability in assessing, deescalating, and communicating in a calm, trauma-informed way with contacts/participants in crisis.
- Excellent written and interpersonal skills with the ability to work with v/s, concerned persons, and community partners in a friendly, cooperative, and professional manner.
- Ability to quickly adapt to new tasks or assignments and willingness to step in to support the team.
- Enthusiasm for learning and commitment to enhancing skills through training, and coaching.
- Experience in working with diverse populations and underserved communities with an understanding of and commitment to anti-oppression work.
- Candidates who are bilingual in English and one of the prevalent languages in our service delivery area (i.e. Spanish, Somali, Hmong) strongly encouraged to apply.
- Knowledge and aptitude with Microsoft Office, client databases, and other related forms of technology.
- Valid driver’s license, automobile insurance and reliable vehicle (Valid Driver’s License and auto insurance must be on file with HR).
Duties and Essential Functions: Program: - Work collaboratively across all CAS programs
- Attend departmental staff meetings as scheduled
- Provide safety planning sessions and one-to-one meetings with victims/survivors
- Maintain confidentiality and a professional demeanor
- Keep accurate records of contacts with and on behalf of victims/survivors
- Keep abreast of new laws affecting victim/survivor safety
- Participates in the training and mentoring of new staff, volunteers and/or students as assigned.
- Properly documents all critical incidents: child protection reports, emergency response calls, and participant injury and concerns. Completes other documentation as assigned by supervisor.
- Any other duties as assigned by supervisor that support overall program services and services to survivors/victims.
Civil - Return calls from the Civil Criminal Justice Intervention voicemail. Answer questions about civil and criminal legal matters, screen for protection orders and make referrals to community organizations.
- Assist victims/survivors in writing Orders for Protection/Harassment Restraining Orders including modifications, extensions, dismissals, and subsequent orders.
- Prepare victims/survivors for what to expect at civil court hearings and assist with communicating with court personnel.
- Serve as an advocate for victims/survivors in civil court proceedings such as Orders for Protection and Harassment Restraining Order hearings.
- Train and support other staff at Cornerstone in the writing of Orders for Protection/Harassment Restraining Orders.
Criminal - Function as a liaison between the victim/survivor and the criminal justice system
- Make intervention calls daily to victims/survivors upon receiving police reports to provide safety planning, education about the criminal court process and their crime victim rights, and make referrals.
- Provide all relevant information to victims/survivors to facilitate their involvement in every court appearance
- Attend criminal court to provide victim input to city prosecutors.
- Consult with members of the legal/criminal justice system and advocate for the protection of the victim/survivors and accountability of offenders within the court/criminal justice system
Organizational Expectations - Promotes Cornerstone Advocacy Service’s mission, values & philosophy.
- Displays high ethical and professional standards.
- Attends staff meetings and training as requested.
- Participate in internal CAS committees and represent CAS on external committees based on interest/assignment and approved by supervisor.
- Educates community members and professionals about interpersonal violence and available services as directed by supervisor.
- Support CAS marketing initiatives.
- Attend and participate in supervision meetings.
Physical Requirements: Physical Requirements: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities and those who may be Deaf/Hard of Hearing, to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or listen. The employee is frequently required to use manual dexterity for use of objects, tools, or controls as well as visual acuity. The employee is required to stand, walk; sit; climb or balance; and stoop, kneel, or crouch. The employee must lift and/or move up to 20 pounds. The employee should always request assistance if any object needs to be lifted and the employee feels that their capabilities are such that the specific item to be lifted is beyond the employee’s abilities. No employee should attempt to lift more than what is comfortable for them.
- Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities.
Visit our career page at: Cornerstone Benefits: Health care, paid time off, 13 paid holidays which includes employee birthday, retirement savings with up to 4% match after 1-year, Free Virtual Mental health Coverage for all employees and their immediate family, Free Virtual Medical Care for employees and their immediate family with enrollment in anyone of our medical plans basic life insurance free to employees, long term disability free to employees, and paid parental leave after 1 year.
EEO Statement: Cornerstone strives for a fully inclusive work environment and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, veteran, disability, age, marital or, familial, and/or with regard to public assistance or any other characteristic. We are an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer.
Job Tags
Holiday work, Full time, Local area, Immediate start, Trial period, Flexible hours, Monday to Friday,