Victim Advocate

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES:

• Establish and maintain contact with crime victims and provide crisis intervention; make victim referrals for counseling, support groups, and other services.
• Assess the personal safety of crime victims and make recommendations and referrals; assist victims with restraining order applications, protective stalking orders, vulnerable population protection orders, personal safety plans, and other measures; provide ongoing assessment of victims’ resources, support, and continued safety.
• Provide immediate crisis intervention, short-term counseling, and education to victims; provide emotional support during the investigation and prosecution process; explain procedures and requirements; provide assistance to rape victims on a 24-hour rotating basis.
• Conduct investigations of restitution cases and make recommendations; document losses via receipts, records, insurance payments, and bills.
• Accompany victims to court hearings; attend sentencing hearings to respond to judges' requests for clarification or justification of restitution amounts; counsel and mediate between parties.
• Inform victims and families of case situation; monitor restitution and refer to probation officer for non-payment; review parole notices; notify victims of impending hearings.
• Serve as liaison for the victim in dealing with police officers, attorneys, physicians, family, community, and other agencies; accompany victims to meetings, interviews, or examinations.
• Assist in the design and delivery of workshops and training programs for police, prosecutors, and medical professionals; coordinate a volunteer victim advocacy team.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

LEVEL AND TYPE OF WORK AND/OR SUPERVISION:

Victim Advocate

• Journey level
• Paraprofessional
• Perform the full range of duties, working independently, applying well-developed subject knowledge, and exercising judgment and initiative.
• Receive occasional instruction or assistance as new or unusual situations arise.
• Fully aware of the operating procedures and policies within the work unit.
• Work is reviewed based on compliance, appropriateness, and effectiveness in meeting goals and deadlines.
• Receive general supervision from manager or staff.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS GUIDELINES:

Any combination of experience and training that would likely provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying. Requirements are determined at the time of recruitment based on responsibilities of the individual position and business needs of the department.

Victim Advocate

Training and experience for journey level, paraprofessional classifications are typically equivalent to an associate's degree and one (1) to four (4) years of experience that demonstrates the ability to perform the duties of the position. (Equivalency 3-6 years of qualifying training and/or experience).

Depending upon assignment, candidates may be required to pass a criminal background check, have a valid driver license, and/or additional training, licenses, or certificates.