Victim/Witness Advocate FLSA Status: Non-Exempt
General Definition of Work
Performs
professional work assisting victims and witnesses, responding to inquiries,
reviewing incidents and reports, maintaining records and files, and related
work as apparent or assigned. Work is
performed under the moderate supervision of the Police Lieutenant.
Qualification Requirements
To perform this job successfully, an individual must
be able to perform each essential function satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are
representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required and are not
necessarily actual functions of this position.
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with
disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Essential Functions
Performs
duties in accordance with the City's keys to excellent customer service.
Maintains
liaison with other criminal justice agencies, governmental and nongovernmental
agencies or organizations concerned with victim/witness needs and rights.
Ensures
referrals to outside sources are based on accurate and up-to-date knowledge of
the services offered by those sources; develops and maintains a listing of
victim services.
Maintains
an ongoing channel of communication by which to offer and receive suggestions
about how the department and outside sources can more effectively work together
in order to better serve the victim/witness.
Makes
contact with victims/witnesses to ensure that the department is providing
adequate assistance to victim/witnesses and that the officers have received
appropriate training in dealing with the victim/witnesses of domestic violence.
Completes
an analysis of victim/witness assistance needs and available service within the
Police Department service area; evaluates the services provided by the Police
Department; assesses social service organizations and community organizations
to determine their provision of victim/witness assistance.
Interviews
clients and obtains necessary background information on crimes committed and
refers them to appropriate agencies and assists them in obtaining services;
assists with the completion of applicable forms.
Conducts
follow-up interviews with clients to determine if services were obtained and if
needs were met.
Assists
victims in the use of statewide automated victim assistance and notification
network; provides monitoring of offenders when applicable.
Assists
victims with the Victim Compensation Program offered through the state.
Documents
services by writing progress reports and completing other documentation as
required by agency, accreditation, and ethical standards.
Acts
as a resource person for police officers who encounter persons in need.
Educates
the community about family violence, sexual assault and other crimes by
training and providing community education programs as needed.
Develops
and maintains office filing and, records systems; maintains confidential files.
Assembles
information; prepares reports.
Provides
training programs to department staff covering issues such as dealing with
victims, proper assistance methods, state programs and other similar issues.
Provides
general oversight and coordination of the department's chaplain program.
May
be required to work outside normal work hours in on-call or emergency
situations.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
General
knowledge of interviewing techniques and human behavior; general knowledge of
the practices and techniques involved in counseling and crisis intervention;
general knowledge of modern principles and practices of the criminal justice
system; ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing; ability
to prepare concise written reports; ability to establish and maintain effective
working relationships with court officials, state and local law enforcement
officials, associates and the general public.
Education and Experience
Associates/Technical
degree with coursework in social work, sociology, or related field and moderate
experience in the criminal justice system, or equivalent combination of
education and experience.
Physical Requirements
This work
requires the frequent exertion of up to 10 pounds of force and occasional
exertion of up to 25 pounds of force; work regularly requires sitting and
speaking or hearing and occasionally requires standing and walking; work has
standard vision requirements; vocal communication is required for expressing or
exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word; hearing is required to perceive
information at normal spoken word levels; work requires preparing and analyzing
written or computer data and observing general surroundings and activities;
work occasionally requires exposure to outdoor weather conditions; work is
generally in a moderately noisy location (e.g. business office, light traffic).
Special Requirements
Valid driver's
license in the State of