Victim Advocate
Full Time
United States
$4,379 - $6,791 a month
Posted 1 day ago
Job description
Class Title
Victim Advocate
Class Code
506
Salary
$4,379.00 - $6,791.00 Monthly
Basic Function
Under general direction, plans, organizes, and oversees the daily functions, operations, and activities of the Victim Advocate program; advocates and coordinates rights and benefits for crime victims during the various stages of follow?up to the crime; facilitates communication among agencies concerned with the investigation of criminal cases involving victims; performs other related duties.
Typical Duties
(May include, but are not limited to, those duties listed below):
- Contacts victims of crimes to provide aid, assistance or referrals to appropriate services and resources to meet their needs; provide status updates to victims throughout case development.
- Functions as a liaison to third parties to inform them of the crime, status, victim's condition, and case progress; meet and confer with detectives, officers, and allied agencies regarding individual cases; arranges victim interviews with the probation department prior to pre-sentencing decisions; represents the victim to the District Attorney's office and the Court.
- Stays abreast of potential new cases and case developments by reviewing police reports, tracking cases through the court process from filing decisions and arraignment to disposition.
- Coordinates on?site advocacy at emergency rooms, police stations and other locations with a focus on non?duplicated reporting, effective and compassionate treatment, and follow?up.
- Coordinates transportation for victims as needed for court appearance, medical purposes, counseling or law enforcement.
- Maintains contact with the Victim/Witness Program and acts as liaison to assist crime victims and witnesses in applying for aid.
- Accompanies victims to court proceedings, meetings, and interviews with law enforcement and/or attorneys.
- Provides comprehensive staff support to the Police Department related to the Victim Advocate programs and services; coordinates and integrates program services and activities with department divisions such as investigations and patrol and with other agencies; develops program partnerships, where applicable, with external agencies and organizations; identifies public and private resources to support program objectives.
- Develops and maintains information, outreach, and educational materials, including brochures, information packets, flyers, guides, and other documents; conducts workshops and training.
- Develops and standardizes procedures and methods to improve and continuously monitors the efficiency and effectiveness of the victim advocate program, service delivery methods, and procedures; identifies opportunities for improvement and makes recommendation to management.
- Organizes and maintains various administrative, confidential, reference, and follow-up case files; purges files as required.
- Performs other related duties as assigned.
WORKING CONDITIONS
Employees work primarily in an office environment with moderate noise levels and controlled temperature conditions. Must possess mobility to work in a standard office setting and use standard office equipment including a computer; vision to read printed materials and a computer screen; and hearing and speech to communicate in person, before groups, and over the telephone or radio. The job involves fieldwork requiring the ability to operate a motor vehicle and frequent walking to attend meetings and court hearings. Employees frequently interact with individuals in crisis.
Minimum Qualifications
Knowledge:
- Basic knowledge of the procedures of the courts and other law enforcement agencies.
- Knowledge of State and local services available to crime victims and witnesses.
- Knowledge of problems, needs and attitudes of crime victims.
- Basic knowledge of the dynamics of child abuse and domestic violence.
- Principles and practices of records management.
- Modern office practices, methods, and computer equipment and applications related to the work.
- English usage, grammar, spelling, vocabulary, and punctuation.
- Techniques for effectively dealing with and solving the problems presented by a variety of individuals from various socio-economic, cultural, and ethnic backgrounds, in person and over the telephone.
Skills:
- Operate modern office equipment including computer equipment and specialized software applications programs.
Abilities:
- Analyze, interpret, summarize, and present administrative and technical information and data in an effective manner.
- Obtain necessary information from individuals in stressful or emergency situations.
- Learn to logically and progressively interview victims and witnesses.
- Interpret, explain and apply laws, rules and regulations related to victim services programs.
- Gather, assemble and verify information related to victim identification.
- Assess needs and refer clients to the appropriate community agencies.
- Work effectively with diverse groups; listen to and discuss problems tactfully.
- Use tact, initiative, prudence and independent judgment within general policy, procedural and legal guidelines.
- Research, develop and use community resources.
- Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, to groups and individuals.
- Establish and maintain cooperative relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
- Organize and prioritize a variety of multiple tasks and projects in an effective and timely manner; organize own work, set priorities, and meet critical time deadlines.
- Prepare reports and correspondence.
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
Any combination of education and experience that provides the knowledge and abilities shown above is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required qualifications is to possess the equivalent of the following:
- High school degree or equivalent; and
- Two (2) years of experience in social services including performing crisis intervention with crime victims.
LICENSES/CERTIFICATES
- Possession at time of hire and continued maintenance of a valid California Class C driver's license and a safe driving record.
DESIREABLE QUALIFICATIONS
- Bi-lingual skills preferred.
- Possession of a Provisional credential provided by the National Organization for Victim Assistance.
Class Detail
Reports To: Section Supervisor
Supervises: Non-supervisory
Bargaining Unit: Police
Classification No: 506
Date of Issue: 7/95
Supersedes: New
Update: 8/14
SALARY: This classification has a eight-step salary range (in addition to Trainee step. Appointment is normally made at the first step of the range. Employees are advanced to the next step upon successful completion of the Police Academy (for Police Office Trainee) or six months of service (for positions other than Police Officer Trainee). See Police MOU documents on the City website for details of current union concessions.
APPOINTMENT: A background investigation will be conducted on each final candidate. Before hire, candidates will also be required to successfully pass a polygraph test administered by a licensed polygrapher, a psychological exam given by a City-selected psychologist, and a medical exam by a City physician. Prior to starting work, all newly hired employees will be fingerprinted, to check conviction history. A conviction history will not necessarily disqualify an applicant from appointment
. Candidates must present documentation verifying authorization to work in the United States and take a loyalty oath as required by the State of California at the time of hire. Appointments to regular positions are subject to a one-year probationary period which is considered a part of the selection process. Probationary employees may be terminated without recourse during this period.
LEAVE
Vacation – 80 hours/year up to 5 years, 120 hours/year 6-10 years, plus 8 hours for each year after 10 years up to a maximum of 160 hours/year.
Sick – 8 hours per month. The City has a sick leave incentive program.
Holidays – 104 hours/year
INSURANCE – (available to employee and eligible dependents)
Medical – Minimal cost; depends on plan selected. Participating members make an additional $35 contribution per pay period towards the cost of health care benefits.
Dental, Vision, Employee Assistance Program – City currently pays full cost of employee and family coverage.
Life – City provides a $50,000 life insurance policy.
Long Term Disability – City provide a long term disability plan.
BILINGUAL PAY
The City shall provide a monthly allowance of 5% of base pay for bilingual speaking skills, upon the recommendation of the Chief of Police and the approval of the Director of Human Resources.
RETIREMENT
As a Police Officer (sworn): Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS) 2.7% @ 57; prior PERS membership may affect retirement formula. Police Officers contribute 17.75% (Tier 3) of their salary to PERS on a pre-tax basis.
As a Police Office Trainee (non-sworn): PERS 2% @ 62; prior PERS membership may affect retirement formula. Police Officer Trainees contribute 12.25% (Tier 3) of their salary to PERS on a pre-tax basis.
An employee is vested after 5 years of PERS membership. No Social Security is withheld.
As a Police Office Trainee (non-sworn): PERS 2% @ 62; prior PERS membership may affect retirement formula. Police Officer Trainees contribute 12.25% (Tier 3) of their salary to PERS on a pre-tax basis.
An employee is vested after 5 years of PERS membership. No Social Security is withheld.
ADDITIONAL BENEFITS (not all inclusive)
457 Deferred Compensation Plan
Accident Protection Insurance
Cancer and Critical Illness Insurance
Direct Deposit
Discount Bus Pass Program
Flexible Spending Plans for Health & Dependent Care
Longevity Pay (after 10 years and 15 years)
In lieu Medical Reimbursement of $200 /month
Supplemental Life Insurance
Tuition Reimbursement
Uniforms provided & maintained
The information included in this announcement is subject to change and does not constitute an expressed or implied contract.
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