Legal Advocate in Cambridge, Massachusetts at Boston Area Rape Crisis Center

Job Title: Staff Attorney (temporary, part time)

Department: Legal Advocacy & Immigration Legal Services

Reports To: Legal Advocacy & Immigration Sr Director

Position Status: Part-time (non-exempt), 16-20 hours per week

Location: Cambridge, MA (hybrid: one day in person)

Work Schedule: flexible schedule, during standard office hours

Salary range: $37 - $40/ hour

Application deadline: Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until the position is filled.

BARCC Overview

Founded in 1973, the Boston Area Rape Crisis Center (BARCC) is the oldest and largest rape crisis center in New England, serving as the only comprehensive center for survivors of sexual violence in the Gfreater Boston Area. BARCC’s mission is to end sexual violence through healing, empowerment, and social change. BARCC empowers survivors of sexual violence to help find healing and seek justice in ways that are meaningful to them and works to provide education and advocacy needed to create social change and prevent sexual violence.

Position Overview

The Legal Advocate’s role is to help survivors understand their legal rights and options in the aftermath of sexual assault, sexual harassment including cyber harassment, stalking, and other forms of sexual violence. The advocate role works directly with survivors, offering information, advocacy, support, and accompaniments as appropriate, as well as assistance connecting with representation as needed. The Legal Advocate works closely with team members within Legal Advocacy & Immigration Legal Services to provide culturally appropriate and responsive services so survivors can make decisions that meet their needs and goals.

Please note, this is a temporary position, with an intended nine month duration.

Work Environment

BARCC's staff, operations, hours, and location vary by function, type of work, and work style. This is a temporary position, with flexible hours. Set hours will be determined in collaboration with BARCC and the Legal Advocate, and will be scheduled during standard office operating hours. The role will be in a hybrid schedule, with a minimum of one day on-site.

Key Responsibilities

Direct Client work:

Provide legal advocacy services to sexual assault survivors and significant others in a manner that is trauma-informed and reflects cultural humility and the empowerment model; assess clients’ needs, provide information and advocacy, identify legal options, and provide referrals and assistance in accessing other legal services.

Focus on navigating legal options related to the criminal legal systems, safety, privacy, immigration issues, and employment/school matters.

Provide regularly scheduled evening hours to meet client availability until 7:00 p.m. once per week.

Programmatic duties:

Participate in weekly team meetings, providing contributions as relevant, and weekly supervision meetings.

Document client interactions in Salesforce system to help ensure accurate programmatic data.

Internal collaboration:

Work closely with Client Services staff to coordinate services and a smooth continuum of care for clients.

Collaboration both through regular meetings, and as needed for client cases.

Engage in building a BARCC community of inclusion and equity, build collaborative relationships, foster personal and agency wide resilience, access and provide vicarious trauma support, actively contribute to DEI internally and externally, and support sustainability and innovation in accordance with BARCC’s mission.

We are committed to equal employment opportunities regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity, veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable law. We strongly encourage applications from members of communities historically underrepresented in the legal profession.

Physical Requirements

The role may involve remaining in a stationary position for periods of time during client calls, meetings, court proceedings and general role accountabilities.

This role generally requires the ability to communicate with clients and colleagues, use a computer, phone and other office equipment.

The ability to move around an office or court environment.

Ability to travel to off site locations including but not limited to our Cambridge and Waltham offices as well as local courts.

Required Qualifications:

HS Diploma or equivalent.

2+ years of direct/related experience providing direct service to clients, such as legal advocacy and/or experience in sexual violence field required.

Experience working with trauma survivors and/or underserved communities.

Demonstrated vicarious trauma resilience.

Demonstrated understanding of the intersectionality of oppressions and of personal privilege.

Attention to detail, ability to multitask, excellent communication skills, ability to adhere to confidentiality requirements, ability to work as part of a team, and comfort working with a computer database.

Demonstrated commitment to BARCC’s mission and philosophy.