Public Defender Client Advocate

Public Defender Client Advocate

Public Defender Client Advocate 150 150 Partners for Justice
Partners for Justice
Published
September 2, 2022
Location
Pasadena, CA; Van Nuys, CA; Santa Cruz, CA; Portland, OR
Category
Job Type
Contact Name (not public)
Chloe Mims
Main Phone
9045143348

Description

Who We Are

Partners for Justice (PFJ) was founded to transform public defense locally and across the United States to ensure that people can walk away from the criminal legal system with their rights, lives, and futures protected. We partner with public defenders who have a crucial opportunity to assist low-income people facing criminal charges more readily navigate the criminal legal system, access community resources, and secure better outcomes inside and outside the courtroom.

Partners for Justice is committed to equity and inclusion in our Advocate selection process. We urge people who have been impacted by the criminal legal system or who share lived experiences with public defender clients to apply for PFJ placements.

 

What You’ll Do as a Client Advocate

As a Client Advocate, you will work directly with public defender clients to help keep them out of jail, connect them with supportive community resources, and prevent the harms that can result from arrest. Advocates also act as collaborative champions within their office, modeling client-centered teamwork in public defense.

The Public Defender Client Advocate position is an in-person, full-time, entry-level position that requires a two-year commitment (further employment beyond the two-year period is at the discretion of the public defender’s office).

As a Client Advocate, you will:

  • Build relationships with your clients to understand their challenges and priorities to identify potential collateral consequences of an arrest
  • Ensure seamless coordination across legal and social service teams
  • Assist clients with issues such as (but not limited to):
    • Obtaining mental health or substance use treatment
    • Assessing eligibility and enrolling in public benefits
    • Maintaining or obtaining employment licenses or driver’s licenses
    • Obtaining representation in housing, employment or family matters
    • Preventing evictions and accessing emergency housing resources
  • Develop partnerships with local government agencies and community organizations to facilitate advocacy
  • artner with attorneys to draft persuasive narrative reports, support arguments, provide relevant information and records
  • Maintain detailed knowledge of court processes and requirements
  • Advocate for clients with service providers, attorneys, judges, landlords, employers, and others (as appropriate); tell your clients’ stories in a compelling way that gets results
  • Collect and report data about your work and your achievements
  • Be an active participant of the PFJ Client Advocate program

 

Who You Are

We’re looking for Client Advocates who are committed to working alongside people from marginalized communities, knowing that everyone in the criminal legal system is deserving of support. The ideal candidate is a tenacious self-starter, an innovative problem solver, comfortable navigating uncertainty, and emotionally resilient.

 

What You’ll Need

  • Demonstrated interest in public service or social justice
  • Demonstrated record of achievement and personal leadership
  • Collegiate-level writing skills
  • Comfort working with minimal oversight and excitement about the ability to structure your own work
  • Interest in working at one of PFJ’s current placement offices (natives or current residents of one of our program locations strongly encouraged to apply):
    • Los Angeles Country (Pasadena, CA; Van Nuys, CA)
    • Santa Cruz County (Santa Cruz, CA)
    • Multnomah County (Portland, OR)

 

What You’ll Gain From Your Time as an Advocate

PFJ Advocates make a concrete difference in individual lives and in the overall community where they work. You’ll also get real-world exposure to how the legal system and other government institutions operate. The negotiation, persuasion, and storytelling skills you gain as a Client Advocate will serve you in any future career path, as will your unshakeable confidence in your ability to navigate new challenges.

Salaries range from $40,000 to $50,000 annually (depending on your placement). Benefits include medical coverage and paid time off. More information will be provided about compensation at different placement offices during the interview process.

Partners for Justice also provides supplemental benefits, including relocation assistance, professional development funding, and an annual wellness stipend. You will receive access to training, mentors, and coaches during your time with PFJ that will prepare you for other opportunities beyond the two-year placement.

How To Apply

To apply, visit www.partnersforjustice.org/apply. The application consists of a resume, a recent transcript (an unofficial transcript is acceptable), and several short answer questions that serve as a writing sample.

The PFJ selection process has three stages: an application, first-round interview, and a final interview. Positions are available immediately and candidates are hired on a rolling basis. We encourage you to apply as soon as possible.

Partners for Justice offers support with your application through our pre-recorded Resume Workshop. For questions regarding our Client Advocate position please contact apply@partnersforjustice.org