Primary Purpose

The Victim Advocate is responsible for assisting victims of crimes by providing them with emotional support, advising them of their legal rights, monetary compensation, and providing education for the prevention of further victimization. This position assists with death notifications, is subject to a regular call-out rotation, provides on-scene psychological first aid, assists law enforcement and other community agencies as a liaison to victims of crime, and refers victims to services best suited for their needs. This position also speaks before the public on issues pertaining to victimization. This position requires mandatory psychological counseling sessions on a bi-annual basis or as requested by advocate via agency contracted provider. This position requires compassion, knowledge of contemporary victim’s right issues, ability to resolve problems on behalf of victims.

Education and Qualification Requirements

• High School Diploma or Equivalency
• Preferred: Associates Degree with 1-2 Years of Experience
• Must have or be able to attain within one year of hire/assignment as a Victim Advocate the Attorney General Victim Services Practitioner Designation (Recertification for this designation must be obtained every three years for the duration of employment as an advocate)
• Type 25 WPM accurately
• Valid Florida Driver’s License
• Basic knowledge of Microsoft Word and Excel
• Basic knowledge of general office equipment

Duties

• Provide advocate services to crime victims including: victim rights and criminal justice system orientation, victim compensation assistance, psychological first aid, safety planning, and referrals to other services
• Provide advocate services to other individuals as needed: by referral, mutual aid, special request, organizations, or calls from community members
• Provide assistance to subjects of law enforcement cases including but not limited to: emergency needs such as food, clothing, shelter, and transportation to law enforcement interviews, line-ups, court proceedings, and other related matters
• Assist with death notifications upon request by law enforcement
• Offer victim advocate services to those in the SJC Jail who have been identified as the victims of crime including but not limited to referring clients to appropriate community resources, assisting with their successful re-entry into society, and assisting with other capacities the re-entry program may request
• Serve as a member of the SJSO Intimate Violence Enhanced Services Team (InVEST) including reviewing all incident reports to assess them for domestic violence lethality
• Review and distribute initial domestic violence reports to the nearest certified domestic violence center (Betty Griffin Center) in accordance with Florida statutory requirements
• Attend community domestic and sexual violence task force meetings
• Provide community outreach services including educational presentations to community groups, civic organizations, and the general public concerning victims’ rights, supportive resources, and the criminal justice process
• Provide new hires within the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office with information about Victim’s Services and Victim’s Compensation
• Maintain statistics based on the requirements of the Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) grant
• Attend depositions, injunction court proceedings, criminal court proceedings, investigations briefings, and patrol briefings as needed
• Fundraise and maintain a 501(c)(3) fund to assist victims of crime with immediate financial barriers.
• Other duties assigned

Job Controls and Complexities

• Report directly to supervisor
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with families, community resources, local and state law enforcement, other agencies, superiors, and peers.
• Ability to communicate effectively, orally and in writing, to serve victims and agencies without bias or preference
• Knowledge or research skill to acquire knowledge of federal, state, and local services and public assistance programs
• Ability to actively listen and then assess situations to determine the needs of victims and match such needs to federal, state, and local social services or public assistance programs
• Maintain confidentiality/security of files and information obtained in the course of employment
• Process/compile/disseminate record/public record information as directed by approving authority in accordance with lawful requirements
• Maintain continuity and operational efficiency by accurate and timely dissemination of information to Staff and co-workers
• Adhere to leave, overtime and attendance policies/procedures (i.e. arrive promptly, regular attendance at work, notification to supervisor regarding absence from work due to illness or untimely incidents, etc.)

Contacts

• Victims of Crime
• General Public
• SJSO, SAPD, and SABP Personnel
• Community Partners
• Other Government/Law Enforcement Entities

Grade Classification

• Intermediate level to advanced level work
• Technical assistant work
• Requires practical knowledge of guidelines relating to a particular program area
• Does require independent decision making

Physical Environment

• Work in both an office environment under normal amount of stress
• Normal business hours apply, however this position is subject to on-call status; hours may vary and overtime may be necessary including nights, holidays, and weekends
• Exposure to scenes of all varieties including; crime, traffic fatalities, natural deaths, overdoses, suicides, homicides, domestic violence, and other high stress, emotionally charged environments
• Probable exposure to various odors, hazards, chemicals, pathogens, unsanitary locations, and unsightly and disturbing images
• Operate an agency vehicle in a safe manner
• Ability to sit or stand for long periods
• See at normal range or with accommodations
• Hear at normal range or with accommodations
• Speak understandably
• Manual dexterity
• Ambulate independently
• Frequently grasp, push, pull, bend, squat, lift, or carry items up to 20 lbs.
• Occasionally reach above head, kneel, walk, climb, stoop, stand, or lift items up to 50 lbs.

Important Information

Regular attendance is critical to the success of this position and assignment and is required of all Agency personnel.

The list of tasks, policies and proficiencies for this position, as well as any statements contained within this page are considered essential. All requirements are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities. Some requirements may exclude individuals who pose a direct threat or significant risk to the health and safety of themselves, other employees, or the public. This job description in no way states or implies the listed duties are the only duties to be performed by the employee occupying this position. Employee will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform any other job-related duties requested by his/her supervisor.

See SJSO Policy for additional information on agency expectations and Senior Status requirements

EFFECTIVE: 12/01/2021

Updated Job Description