Legal Advocacy Coordinator

The Legal Advocacy Coordinator provides support, information, and academic and legal/court advocacy to victim/survivors/concerned persons of sexual assault, relationship violence, stalking, and sexual harassment for the University of Minnesota, TC and Augsburg University. This includes providing crisis counseling, information, referrals, and support to students, staff, faculty and visitors who walk-in or call The Aurora Center. The Legal Advocacy Coordinator also writes protective orders, assists clients through police, medical, criminal justice, and university systems, facilitates the support groups, and is the primary point person for many administrative tasks such as ordering supplies and updating office documents.

Hybrid work in the office at least 4 out of 5 days per week.

Please note, this position is not eligible for H-1B or Green Card sponsorship. This position does not offer a STEM OPT training program.

Detailed job responsibilities (include, but are not limited to, the following):

Advocacy: (65%)

• Answer helpline/business line and provide services to walk-in clients during office hours
• Provide advocacy for clients through systems including but not limited to academic, housing, police, hospital/medical, legal, Office for Community Standards, and Equal Opportunity & Title IX office
• Provide information and referrals about legal, campus, and other community resources
• Assist clients in safety planning, identifying options, and problem-solving
• Provide information about restraining orders, family court, criminal court, and legal procedures
• Assist clients in filling out restraining orders, filing, and attending hearings
• Assist clients in enrolling for the Minnesota Safe at Home Address Confidentiality Program
• Co-facilitate support groups - manage intake process, maintain meeting schedule, and coordinate additional
  needs for the support group
• Provide high level support to the Office of Equal Opportunity and Title IX, academic departments, medical staff, and law enforcement regarding trauma-informed practices and policy/legal enforcement of sexual misconduct
• Communicate and assist faculty, staff, university Title IX investigators, university and community attorneys and law enforcement on the needs, concerns, questions, and best practices of working with trauma survivors.
• Provide policy and protocol information about legal, university, and community resources
• Provide procedural options and assistance to clients through systems including academic, housing, police, hospital/medical, legal, Office for Community Standards, Equal Opportunity &
• Title IX, and more
• Assist service of clients and front office coverage as needed, including:
• Meeting with drop-in clients as primary point of contact
• Answer helpline and business line calls and provide office information and crisis support
• Respond to emails and texts
• Open, close, coordinate, organize, and clean office as needed
• Provide training and guidance to student employees staffing the desk, being available for questions and consultation
• Serve as back-up staff to provide assistance to drop-in clients during business hours
• Respond to hospital calls for medical advocacy
• Serve as on-call back-up staff on rotation with other Aurora staff
• Facilitate victim/survivor support groups
• Demonstrate and maintain professional boundaries in working with volunteers and clients.
• Maintain a strict policy of confidentiality.
• Other responsibilities as deemed appropriate.
• Keep supervisor informed of high-risk clients situations

Administrative: (20%)

• Assist in client consultation, guidance, office orientation, and training to student staff, office advocates, and volunteer advocates
• Coordinate, schedule, and assist with Helpline call center system and technology and Helpline advocates
• Participate in weekly direct service meetings for client case management
• Consult with supervisor at biweekly one-to-ones about client concerns, workload management, professional development, scheduling, and other areas
• Facilitate monthly volunteer in-service trainings on Saturdays and sessions during 40-hour training for new volunteers held annually in February
• Attend trainings and continuing education activities as assigned
• Attend annual "new laws" training and webinars related to victim advocacy
• Communicate regularly with team regarding office coverage and client services needs using designated methods (email, G-chat, Slack, phone, etc.)

Record-Keeping and Data Coordination: (10%)

• Maintain and input client records into departmental database in a timely manner
• Complete all required service documentation in a thorough and timely manner
• Participate in agency grant and data reporting as directed by supervisor
• Provide statistical reports for Clery Act and other departmental purposes

Outreach and Agency Representation: (5%)

• Speak at various meetings, functions, to explain Aurora's mission and recruit new volunteers
• Attend partner agency meetings as assigned to address issues of sexual assault, relationship violence, and stalking
• Provide professional training to groups such as law enforcement, university hearing panels, and other partner agencies
• Adhere to agency and university policies, including but not limited to confidentiality and the code of conduct/ethics
• Maintain professional boundaries with agency clients and co-workers

Other duties as assigned

Report to:

* Director of The Aurora Center for Advocacy & Education

Required (Minimum)

• Bachelor's degree in related field
• At least four years of experience working with victim/survivors of sexual assault, relationship violence and stalking
• Completion of 40 hour State Certified Sexual Assault Counselor Program
• Knowledge of the legal rights of victim/survivors and the civil and criminal legal systems in Minnesota
• Demonstrated ability to work with students, faculty, staff and community people from diverse cultural and educational backgrounds
• Trained by an anti-violence agency to write Order for Protection/Harassment Restraining Order form.
• Effective oral and written communication skills to work collaboratively with clients, co-workers, and University and community partners
• Experience working in environments where confidentiality is required
• Excellent organizational skills
• Demonstrated judgment and ability to identify and prioritize high risk situations and inform appropriate channels
• Able to work in the office at least 4 out of 5 days per week.

Preferred

• Understanding of anti-oppression work and its role in addressing gender-based violence
• Experience facilitating support groups
• Experience supervising or mentoring volunteers
• Experience working with college students and faculty/staff
• Understanding of University/college systems and resources
• Knowledge or willingness to learn Titanium database program; computer literacy

The Aurora Center for Advocacy and Education, a unit within the Office for Student Affairs, offers services for students, faculty and staff regarding sexual assault, relationship violence, sexual harassment, and stalking through a 24-hour helpline and weekly 8-4:30 drop-in services as well as training and education for peer leaders and the University Community.

Pay Range: $58,000; depending on education/qualifications/experience

Time Appointment: 100% Appointment

Position Type: P&A Staff

Please visit the Office of Human Resources website for more information regarding benefit eligibility.

The University offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Competitive wages, paid holidays, and generous time off
• Continuous learning opportunities through professional training and degree-seeking programs supported by the Regents Tuition Benefit Program
• Low-cost medical, dental, and pharmacy plans
• Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts
• University HSA contributions
• Disability and employer-paid life insurance
• Employee wellbeing program
• Excellent retirement plans with employer contribution
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) opportunity
• Financial counseling services
• Employee Assistance Program with eight sessions of counseling at no cost
• Employee Transit Pass with free or reduced rates in the Twin Cities metro area

While our salary ranges provide a framework, it is important to note that most of the
time, the initial pay may not reach the maximum of the range. This approach ensures
that compensation reflects the value and unique contributions of each candidate while
maintaining equity within our organization. As part of our commitment to fair and
equitable compensation, please be aware that the salary offered to incoming candidates
will be based on their individual credentials and experience.

Applications must be submitted online. To be considered for this position, please click the Apply button and follow the instructions. You will be given the opportunity to complete an online application for the position and attach a cover letter and resume.

Additional documents may be attached after application by accessing your "My Job Applications" page and uploading documents in the "My Cover Letters and Attachments" section.

Please include a CV for a complete application.

To request an accommodation during the application process, please e-mail jobcentr@umn.edu.

The University recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission. The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds.

The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. To learn more about diversity at the U: http://diversity.umn.edu

Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC)

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC), is among the largest public research universities in the country, offering undergraduate, graduate, and professional students a multitude of opportunities for study and research. Located at the heart of one of the nation's most vibrant, diverse metropolitan communities, students on the campuses in Minneapolis and St. Paul benefit from extensive partnerships with world-renowned health centers, international corporations, government agencies, and arts, nonprofit, and public service organizations.

At the University of Minnesota, we are proud to be recognized by Forbes as a Best Employer for Company Culture (2026), Best Employer for Women (2023, 2025, 2026), and Best Employer by State (2022-2026). In 2026, we also received Culture Excellence & Industry Awards recognition for employee appreciation and work-life flexibility.