Overview
This is an entry-level position intended for recent college graduates. The start date is in August 2021.Poverty and criminal justice system contact are inextricably linked in America. Partners for Justice disrupts this cycle by embedding recent college graduates as Advocates with legal organizations who fight for low-income people in the justice system. Advocates work directly to protect clients from the devastating impacts of arrest and improve their underlying life circumstances.Meanwhile, Advocates also receive firsthand exposure to the criminal justice system and a life-changing public service experience.We are seeking eight fantastic recent college graduates to join the PFJ program with placements available in Houston, Texas; Sussex or Kent County, Delaware; and Pablo, Montana.You will work hand-in-hand with attorneys and a network of community partners to fight for your clients housing, employment, family, immigration status, public benefits, and more.As an Advocate, your responsibilities include:Learn about the problems your clients are facing and work with them to come up with creative solutionsPartner closely with attorneys to provide relevant information and documents for clients criminal case and other legal issues; ensure seamless coordination across interdisciplinary legal teamsDepending on your clients needs and attorney direction, assist clients with issues like clearing past criminal convictions, preparing for child services interventions, accessing public benefits, maintaining work licenses, finding and maintaining housing, and obtaining mental health or substance abuse treatmentDevelop partnerships with local government agencies and community organizations, and maintain deep knowledge of their services so that you can appropriately refer and advocate for clientsMaintain detailed knowledge of court processes and requirements so you can help your clients navigate these institutionsAdvocate for clients with service providers, attorneys, judges, landlords, employers, and others (as appropriate); tell your clients stories in a compelling way that gets resultsCollect data about your activities and achievements and report this data to PFJWho you arePartners for Justice is deeply committed to equity and inclusion in our selection process. We urge people who share identities or lived experiences with public defender clients to apply.A creative problem-solver who is able to find innovative and efficient solutions to unusual obstaclesA proactive and independent self-starter who is comfortable with ambiguity and requires limited directionTenacious; the kind of person who will chase down an issue to its conclusion, regardless of the challenges in your waySomeone who has identified strategies that allow you to be emotionally resilient in the face of traumatic situationsWhat youll needA Bachelors degree or equivalent experienceAvailability to attend training by July 2021 and start work in one of our placement sites by August 2021 (exact dates TBD)A commitment to stay in this role for two yearsDemonstrated interest in public service, social justice, civil rights, or criminal justiceA record of academic achievement and leadershipBilingual / fluency in Spanish preferred for Texas and Delaware placementsNatives or current residents of one of our program locations strongly encouraged to applyCandidates interested in our Montana placement with the Tribal Defenders Office of the Confederated Salish & Kootenai Tribes should be members of a federally recognized tribeWhat you will gain from your time as an AdvocateSatisfaction in having made a concrete difference in individual lives and the overall community where you serveReal-world exposure to how the legal system and other government institutions operateAbsolute confidence in your ability to face down new challenges and navigate them successfully in a variety of contextsSkills in negotiation, mediation, persuasion and storytelling that will serve you in whatever career path you pursueAccess to training, mentors and coaches during your time with PFJ and as you prepare for your next steps
To Apply: https://www.jobg8.com/Traffic.aspx?e6qBK%2biM1ulmLt5WcH9fxwi