Bilingual Victim/Witness & Client Advocate

The Shade Tree Introduction

The Shade Tree is a nonprofit organization based in North Las Vegas, Nevada, dedicated to providing safe shelter and resources to homeless and abused women and children. Established in 1989, it is the largest shelter of its kind in Nevada.

The organization offers a range of services, including emergency shelter, meals, healthcare, and support programs aimed at promoting stability, dignity, and self-reliance. The Shade Tree also provides specialized services for victims of domestic violence, sexual abuse, human trafficking, elder abuse, and street violence

The Shade Tree mission is to empower women and children in crisis by offering life-changing services that help them rebuild their lives and achieve independence.

We are Deeply Committed to Equity & Diversity

The Shade Tree strives to recruit a diverse team of leaders. We seek to inspire and understand that each person brings a distinct life experience to the table. Embracing diversity only enhances our work culture, it also drives our business success when the management team and leaders reflect a diversity of backgrounds.

Position Summary

The Bilingual Victim/Witness & Client Advocate is a full-time employee of The Shade Tree who provides trauma-informed, victim-centered advocacy through a collaborative partnership with the City of North Las Vegas. The position combines two days per week providing victim/witness advocacy within the City of North Las Vegas City Attorney's Office with three client advocate shifts per week providing direct client advocacy and support at The Shade Tree. The advocate primarily assists individuals impacted by interpersonal violence; supporting their safety, rights, autonomy, and access to appropriate resources.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

1. Victim/Witness Advocacy – City of North Las Vegas

Two 10-Hour Shifts Per Week | 20 Hours

The Advocate will provide victim/witness advocacy services in collaboration with the City of North Las Vegas City Attorney's Office. 

The essential functions included, but are not limited to the following:

• Provide trauma-informed advocacy and emotional support to victims and witnesses navigating the criminal justice system.
• Assist victims in understanding criminal justice procedures, court processes, hearings, subpoenas, and case-related information.
• Provide information regarding victims' rights under Nevada law, including Marsy's Law.
• Assist victims with safety planning and identification of immediate and ongoing needs.
• Provide court accompaniment and support when appropriate.
• Provide information regarding victim compensation, protective orders, and other available legal remedies and community resources.
• Assist victims with appropriate victim-related documentation and navigation service.
• Coordinate with City Attorney personnel, law enforcement, courts, and community victim-service providers.
• Maintain appropriate follow-up contact with victims throughout their involvement with the criminal justice process.
• Facilitate referrals and warm handoffs to The Shade Tree and other community resources.
• Maintain accurate and timely documentation in accordance with applicable confidentiality requirements and established procedures.
• Provide bilingual advocacy services in English and Spanish.
• The ability to meet attendance schedule with dependability and consistency.
• Perform other duties relating to the fundamental aspects of the position, as assigned at the discretion of Management. 

2. Client Advocacy – The Shade Tree

Three Shifts Per Week | 20 Hours

The Advocate will provide direct client advocacy and support during assigned shifts at The Shade Tree.

The essential functions included, but are not limited to the following:

• Provide trauma-informed, culturally responsive advocacy to residential clients.
• Conduct intake assessments, safety planning, and crisis intervention including manning the crisis hotline.
• Assist clients in identifying immediate needs, barriers, and available options.
• Provide information and referrals relating to emergency shelter, housing, legal services, healthcare, counseling, transportation, employment, and other community resources.
• Support clients in navigating available services while promoting informed choice, independence, and self-determination.
• Assist with shelter-related client needs, service coordination, and appropriate follow-up.
• Respond to emerging client concerns and crisis situations during assigned shifts.
• Collaborate with case managers, advocates, shelter personnel, and other TST departments to support continuity of care.
• Maintain timely and accurate client documentation and service records.
• Participate in shift communication and handoffs to ensure continuity of client services.
• Provide bilingual services to English- and Spanish-speaking clients.

3. Documentation, Confidentiality and Professional Standards

• Maintain accurate, timely, and confidential records of services provided.
• Comply with applicable federal and Nevada confidentiality requirements, organizational policies, and relevant grant requirements.
• Maintain appropriate professional boundaries when collaborating with law enforcement, prosecutors, and other criminal justice personnel.
• Respect victim autonomy, including decisions regarding participation in criminal justice proceedings.
• Maintain a clear distinction between community-based advocacy and law enforcement or prosecutorial functions.
• Participate in required training, supervision, meetings, and professional development.
• Demonstrate professionalism, sound judgment, and ethical decision-making in all interactions.

Education, Training & Experience Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in social work, criminal justice, psychology, sociology, human services, or a related field, or equivalent relevant professional experience.
• Previous victim/witness or legal advocacy experience.
• Experience working collaboratively with law enforcement, prosecutors, courts, or community victim-service organizations.
• Knowledge of Nevada victims' rights, protection-order processes, and victim compensation resources.
• Familiarity with Southern Nevada's victim-service and community-resource networks.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Experience in victim advocacy, domestic violence services, crisis intervention, human services, social services, or a related field.
• Understanding of trauma-informed, victim-centered, and culturally responsive advocacy.
• Knowledge of domestic violence dynamics, safety planning, and barriers experienced by survivors.
• Strong interpersonal, communication, documentation, and organizational skills.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively within multidisciplinary environments.
• Ability to respond professionally and effectively during crisis situations.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and professional boundaries.
• Flexibility to work assigned shifts and occasional adjusted schedules based on operational needs, including weekends. 
• Valid driver's license and reliable transportation.

Work Schedule and Flexibility

This is a full-time, 40-hour-per-week position with a primarily Monday through Friday schedule.

City of North Las Vegas – Victim/Witness Advocate

• Approximately 20 hours per week.
• Anticipated schedule: Monday and Tuesday, 10-hour shifts.
• Occasional Saturday morning hours may be required.

The Shade Tree – Client Advocate

• Approximately 20 hours per week.
• Anticipated schedule: Wednesday through Friday.
• Hours may vary based on operational needs.

While the position is expected to maintain a consistent weekly schedule, workdays and hours may be adjusted to meet program, staffing, and organizational needs. Occasional evening or weekend hours may be required. Advance notice of schedule changes will be provided whenever possible.

Employment Relationship and Supervision

The Bilingual Victim/Witness & Client Advocate is an employee of The Shade Tree and is subject to all organizational policies, procedures, performance expectations, and employment practices.

While assigned to the City of North Las Vegas City Attorney's Office, the Advocate will work closely with City personnel and follow applicable facility, security, and operational requirements.

The Shade Tree retains responsibility for supervision, scheduling, performance management, and all employment-related matters, in coordination with the City of North Las Vegas as needed.

Any future involvement with the North Las Vegas Police Department will be subject to separate approval and established partnership protocols.

Note

This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee incumbent in this position. Scheduled hours may change based on business needs.  Employees will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform any other job-related duties requested by any person authorized to give instructions or assignments. All duties and responsibilities are essential functions and requirements and are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities. To perform this job successfully, the incumbents will possess the skills, aptitudes, and abilities to perform each duty proficiently. Some requirements may exclude individuals who pose a direct threat or significant risk to the health or safety of themselves or others. The requirements listed in this document are the minimum levels of knowledge, skills, or abilities. 

The company is an Equal Opportunity Employer, drug free workplace, and complies with ADA regulations as applicable.

Must successfully complete all required pre-employment screenings, including an FBI background check, Nevada State CANs check, fingerprinting, and any additional background investigations or security clearances required for assignment with the City of North Las Vegas.