Victim Advocate I/II

Job Description:

Victim Advocate I/II

Description

About the Opportunity

THE IDEAL CANDIDATE
Victim Advocates provide a variety of services to victims of crime for the District Attorney’s Office. They are people oriented, attentive to detail, and work effectively with people experiencing trauma. The Victim Advocate works in conjunction with Deputy District Attorneys to assist victims of crime, their families and/or witnesses by providing mandated victim services, resources, and support. Incumbents conduct trauma-informed interviews, assess needs, and manage a caseload. The Victim Advocate provides information regarding the criminal justice system, victim rights, available services and court proceedings, processes victim compensation claims, provides referrals to social and legal resources, escorts victims to court and meetings with prosecutors and law enforcement, responds to crime scenes and other field locations to assist victims, and performs other duties as assigned.

To learn more about the District Attorney's Office, click here .

Click here for details.

THE POSITION
Victim Advocate I is the entry-level class in this series. Incumbents work under close supervision while learning program rules, regulations, procedures, and forms. Responsibilities and breadth of knowledge increase with more years of experience. Victim Advocate II is the journey-level class in this series. Victim Advocate II is the experienced level classification. Incumbents are expected to perform the full range of duties, including the assignment of more difficult or complex cases. Incumbents generally work under minimal supervision and exercise initiative and independent judgment in applying laws, rules, and regulations, and in analyzing and resolving a variety of non-routine problems. The work is performed with greater independence to prioritize work assignments, solve problems, and exercise judgment within a framework of established policies and procedures. Unless otherwise provided, this position is part of the Classified Service of the County and is assigned to Technical Services bargaining unit for labor relations purposes. The Victim Advocate may be assigned to work in a variety of assignments. Hours for the position may vary and include weekends. Incumbents may be subject to overtime, standby and on-call or call-back assignments. Individuals who are in a full-time classification position are required to serve a twelve-month probationary period, which may be extended an additional six months, for a total of eighteen months.

Individuals who are in a full-time classification position are required to serve a twelve-month probationary period, which may be extended an additional six months, for a total of eighteen months.

The Job Task Analysis provides information detailing the physical and functional demands of the classification. For the complete job task analysis, visit the Risk Management website at http://www.stancounty.com/riskmgmt/ under "Disability" tab.

Typical Tasks

• Conduct trauma-informed interviews and assessments for victims of crime in the office and in non-office settings, including crime scenes, hospitals, victims’ homes, law enforcement agencies or other organizations to assess victim’s emotional, social, and physical needs, interests, safety concerns and anticipated obstacles;
• Help identify services, coping skills and resources needed;

• Provide crisis intervention and trauma-informed assistance to child and adult victims of crime and/or families of victims of crime suffering from trauma or complex trauma by asking good questions, listening to what they need, helping them understand the effects of trauma and empower them to take the next best step;

• Assist victims in completing a variety of claim application documents to obtain financial assistance from the California Victim Compensation Board, such as reimbursement of medical/mental health expenses, lost income or wages, funeral/burial expenses and relocation costs and represent their claim to the state, providing on-going assistance with bill submittal and claim follow-up;

• Provide consultation, information and education to victims, families, attorneys, community groups and agencies regarding victims’ rights, available services and the impact of trauma and crime victimization;

• Coordinate with Deputy District Attorneys and Investigators on the status of cases, needs of the victim, obstacles the victim may be facing and serve as a liaison between victims/families and Deputy District Attorneys or Investigators or law enforcement;

• Research, evaluate, recommend, and refer victims and/or families to a variety of programs and resources to address their needs; coordinate and/or facilitate placement of victims in programs or facilities and provide transportation, as needed;

• Interpret and explain regulations, rules, policies, and laws to victims of crime and/or their families and apprise them of their rights, responsibilities, and eligibility for participation in programs;

• Provide mandatory services to victims of a variety of crime types and/or their families, obtaining and explaining information on a variety of complex and sensitive subjects;
• Organize caseload to ensure case records and documents are processed within specific time limits established by regulation and policy, as defined by the California Penal Code, California Office of Emergency Services, and Victims of Crime Act;

• Encourage and facilitate victim participation in the criminal justice process, including orientation to the criminal justice system, court procedures and updating victims/families on the status of the case and court appearances; providing emotional support, encouragement, and information to help victims/families navigate the criminal justice system, including, but not limited to, court escort;

• Contact victims of crime and/or their families by telephone, letter or in person to notify them of available services, victims’ rights, case status, changes in law impacting the case, board of parole hearings and other information impacting their rights as a victim of crime;

• Participate in community outreach efforts to raise awareness of victims’ rights and available services; assist with the development and implementation of events and presentations to honor victims of crime and raise awareness of victims’ rights;
• Participate in victim-centered commissions, councils, and associations;

• Attend training programs, virtually and in-person, to develop trauma-informed, crime specific and culturally competent skills and knowledge;
• Assist with training presentations to law enforcement and other agencies regarding program services, the impact of crime victimization and trauma-informed care;

• Document activities and services according to policy and compile information to assist with the preparation of reports to the Federal and State Government;

• Develop and maintain positive working relationships with a variety of organizations in the community to collaborate on effective solutions to meet the needs of victims of crime;
• Respond to the needs of crime victims at crime scenes, hospitals, and other locations as needed; and

• Perform other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education/Experience)

KNOWLEDGE

• Laws concerning the rights and responsibilities of victims and witnesses of crimes;
• Rules of professional confidentiality concerning victim and advocate, as well as of attorney/client work product;
• Techniques for gaining rapport with and cooperation of emotional and reticent individuals who may be members of a variety of ethnic and socio-economic groups;
• Interviewing principles and techniques;
• Criminal justice system in order to assist victims;
• Services and resources available to the public in Stanislaus County;
• Proper English construction and general communication skills;
• Governmental structure and operating procedure;
• Standard office practices and procedures; and
• Use of Microsoft Office software (i.e., Word, PowerPoint).

SKILLS/ABILITIES

• Handle a high volume of work amid interruptions;
• Interview and counsel effectively in a variety of crisis situations and settings;
• Correctly interpret rules and regulations regarding participation in Victim Witness Program to clients/public;
• Accurately gather, record and correctly evaluate data necessary for determination of eligibility based on knowledge of department and program rules;
• Elicit information from and give information to applicants in difficult circumstances involving emotional disturbance;
• Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with public/private agencies, staff, the general public and law enforcement agencies;
• Organize information and insure its completeness and accuracy;
• Communicate clearly and effectively both verbally and in writing; and
• Assist victims/witnesses to court.

We recognize your time is valuable, please only apply if you meet the following required qualifications.

EDUCATION/ EXPERIENCE
VICTIM ADVOCATE l
PATTERN I

• Associate of Arts degree in Business, Public Administration, Human Services, Speech and Communications, Psychology, Criminal Justice, or a closely related field; AND
• One (1) year of experience working in crisis intervention, case management, criminal justice or social services.

PATTERN II

• Three (3) years of experience working in crisis intervention and/or case management in a criminal justice or social services setting.

VICTIM ADVOCATE ll

PATTERN I

• Three (3) years of experience as a Victim Advocate I or equivalent classification.

PATTERN II

• Bachelor of Arts degree in Business, Public Administration, Human Services, Speech and Communications, Psychology, Criminal Justice or a closely related field; AND
• Two (2) years of experience working in crisis intervention and/or case management in a criminal justice or social services setting.

Proof of education is required for verification purposes at the time of application, Applicants who are unable to submit proof must call 209-525-5584 to make other arrangements before 5:00 p.m. on the final filing date. Failure to submit proof or make other arrangements before the final filing date will result in disqualification.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

• Ability to pass a thorough background investigation, including fingerprinting.
• Certain positions may require the use of bilingual skills requiring demonstrated speaking, reading, and/or writing fluency in a foreign language.

OTHER

• Incumbents of positions in this classification must complete the required minimum hours of entry level training provided by the Department within the first twelve (12) months of appointment. They must also be willing to learn all assignments and rotate into any assignment as required. Eligibility to advance to the next level is based on experience and successful performance in the duties of the position. Any refusal to learn an assignment or to rotate into an assignment would be reflected in a performance review and may prevent salary advancement and/or promotion.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

In addition to the minimum qualifications, applicant screening will focus on the following desirable qualifications. Please list any of these qualifications you may have within the "Duties" section of the online application.

• Bachelor’s degree; AND
• Two (2) years of experience working in crisis intervention and/or case management in a criminal justice or social services setting; OR
• One (1) year experience providing trauma-informed assistance, emotional support and/or de-escalating situations with victims of crime or clients in social services settings; OR
• Ability to speak and read in a second language other than English, in a proficient or fluent capacity; OR
• Six (6) months experience working for a government agency; OR
• Two (2) years experience experience working with domestic violence victims; OR
• One (1) year experience working with crime victims and witnesses in the criminal justice environment; AND
• Possession of a valid California Driver's License.

Application and Selection Procedures

APPLICATION PROCEDURES/FINAL FILING DATE
Applications cannot be submitted later than 5:00 p.m. on the final filing date. Make your online application as complete as possible so a full and realistic appraisal may be made of your qualifications.

Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of a completed application.

Attaching your resume and cover letter are an optional feature for those who wish to do so in addition to completing the required application. Information on your resume and cover letter will not substitute for the education, work experience and required fields on the County application. The online County application is the primary tool used to evaluate your job qualifications.

EXAMINATION PROCESS

Most County recruitments consists of the steps detailed below and are governed by Merit Principles. The examination process ensures that all applicants are given the same opportunity to gain employment within Stanislaus County.

• Application Review and Screening. Applications are carefully screened based on information provided. Those who submit incomplete applications that lack relevant qualifications or do not submit all required documents will not be invited to move on.
• Written Examination. Applicants will be invited to participate in a written exam that tests knowledge for the position.
• Oral Examination. Applicants are invited to a panel interview in which they will be evaluated by County subject matter experts.
• Eligible Lists. Candidates who pass the examination will be placed on an eligible list for that classification. Eligible lists are effective for six months, but may be extended up to eighteen months.

TENTATIVE RECRUITMENT SCHEDULE

Application Deadline: January 6, 2025 at 5pm

Oral Examination: Week of January 13, 2025

Note: The eligible list generated from this recruitment may be used to fill future extra-help, part-time and full-time vacancies throughout Stanislaus County .

GENERAL INFORMATION

Final appointment will be conditional upon successfully passing a County paid pre-employment drug screening (if applicable for position) and a job-related background investigation.

Some positions may require possession or the ability to obtain, and maintenance of a valid California Driver’s license or the ability to utilize an alternative method of transportation when needed to carry out job related essential functions.

Stanislaus County supports the good health of its workforce. More information is available at http://myclubwellness.org

Cell phones are typically incompatible with the online application format or browser. We recommend using a desktop or laptop computer. If you are still having technical difficulties, please call NEOGOV at 1-855-524-5627.

Benefits associated with this position can be found at Benefits Summary .

Closing Date/Time: 1/6/2025 5:00 PM Pacific

Salary:

$45,510.40 - $63,606.40 Annually