Victim Advocate

Job Description

JOB SUMMARY

Under the supervision of the Criminal Investigations Sergeant and Lieutenant, the Victim Advocate will perform a variety of clerical and administrative duties in support of the VOCA grant, or any other duties as deemed necessary by CID supervision. Responsibilities include monitoring and tracking all required activities for VOCA reporting purposes. The incumbent will also provide a range of support functions, including coordinating community education programs and initiatives, delivering specialized advocacy services to victims and survivors of criminal acts, and fostering collaborative relationships with community leaders and partner organizations. This position is grant-funded and its continuation is dependent upon annual VOCA grant renewal.

Essential Job Functions

• Reviews daily law enforcement reports for the purpose of identifying crime victims. 5% VOCA
• Provides assistance to victims if there is a death, serious injury, or serious emotional trauma
  
  

to the victim or victim’s family resulting from a criminal act. 3% VOCA

• Identifies and assists the immediate needs of crime victims and provides immediate and temporary crisis intervention counseling to victims of a criminal act. 15% VOCA
• Provides compassionate and effective grief and bereavement counseling to assist crime victims. 3% VOCA
• Assists officers and detectives with death notifications as the result of a criminal act, as needed. 1% VOCA
• Provides effective short-term counseling to victims to assist with the emotional and physical needs after victimization. 5% VOCA
• Provides victims with referrals to community organizations and appropriate agencies to assist their needs. 5% VOCA
• Provides support, assistance and education to crime victims as they navigate through the
  
  

criminal justice system. 5% VOCA

• Provides assistance with application for temporary restraining order petitions and crime victim compensation. 3% VOCA
• Provides effective and thorough follow-up interviews and/or activities with victims as needed to ensure that the victim has received appropriate assistance and evaluates if further assistance is needed. 10% VOCA
• Updates and maintains victim advocate case logs and generates reports as needed for reporting and review purposes. 10% VOCA
• Assures victims are advised of the status of their cases, including arrests and release of
  
  

suspects, if possible. 10% VOCA

• Serves as a liaison for victims within the Cocoa Police Department. 15% VOCA
• Submits supplemental reports on cases when appropriate. 1% VOCA
• Transports victims when necessary and appropriate. 3% VOCA
• Attends training conferences and workshops for the purpose of gaining knowledge on the
  
  

current laws, trends, and practices relating to victim services. 1% VOCA

• Assists community agencies and organizations working with crime victims. 1% VOCA
• Assists with programmatic documentation and reporting as needed. 4% VOCA
• On-Call for criminal investigation section for after-hours response.
• Essential Employees may be required to work during a declared or undeclared emergency.
• Performs other related job duties as assigned.
  
  

Knowledge, Skills And Abilities

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Knowledge of the laws, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, and government regulations and the political process.
• Knowledge of methods and techniques of the proper handling and precautions for classified, confidential, and sensitive information.
• Knowledge of advocacy resources.
• Skill in the use of a variety of computer programs, including Microsoft Office, GIS or CAD and various other office equipment.
• Ability to deal with victims in a compassionate and culturally competent manner.
• Ability to maintain a high level of confidentiality.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with other employees, organizations, and agencies.
• Ability to read, write and speak English fluently and clearly, hear and understand radio, telephone and verbal communications.
• Ability to maintain a high degree of individual initiative, dedication, and sound judgment.
• Ability to be on an on-call rotation as determined by the Criminal Investigations Sergeant for a call out to any crisis in which an officer or detective needs assistance with the victim or a victim’s family.
  
  

Qualifications

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

Education And Experience

Bachelor's degree in Social Services, Sociology, Psychology, counseling, social work, or criminology or a closely related field, with two (2) years’ experience working with victims of domestic violence and/or sexual assault.

Special Qualifications

For positions requiring the operation of City vehicles, must possess a valid current Florida driver's license, or be able to acquire one within 45 days of hire. Complete the Florida Attorney General Victim Services Practitioner Designation training as soon as available and practical.

Essential Physical Skills

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Required

The work is generally sedentary and may require exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally and up to 10 pounds frequently to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects. Additionally, the following physical abilities are required:

• Hearing: Ability to hear and understand at normal speaking levels with or without correction.
• Dexterity: Primarily with fingers, as in picking, pinching, or typing.
• Grasping: Applying pressure with the whole hand.
• Handling: Picking, holding, or otherwise working with the whole hand.
• Handling: Picking, holding, or otherwise working with the whole hand.
• Mental Acuity: Ability to make rational decisions.
• Repetitive Motion: Substantial movements (motions) of the wrist, hands, and/or fingers.
• Speaking / Talking: Ability to communicate clearly, accurately and concisely through speech.
• Walking: Ability to move on foot to accomplish tasks and to move from one work site to another.
• Visual Acuity: Ability to perform activities such as: preparing and analyzing data and
  
  

figures; transcribing; viewing a computer terminal; and/or extensive reading, operating motor vehicles; including color, depth perception, and field vision.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Work is performed in a dynamic environment that requires the ability to be sensitive to change and responsive to changing goals, priorities, and needs. Work may be performed in both in and out-of-door environments with exposure to the wind, rain, cold, heat, and cramped spaces. Travel between office, courthouse, and various victim services locations may be common.

• Medical, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, and Long Term Disability
• 11 Paid Holidays per year
• Vacation & Sick Time
• Complimentary Health Clinic
• Retirement
• Discounts, Wellness Benefits, and much more!