VICTIM WITNESS ADVOCATE - Grant Funded

This advocate position is primarily based at our Child Advocacy Center and works under the Child Advocacy grant. Funding is guaranteed through 3/31/2027, and we will be reapplying for this grant to continue past that date.

Under general supervision, plans, coordinates, and assists in 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; coordinates and facilitates victim and witness appearances in court; performs related duties as required. 
 
SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED 
Receives general supervision or direction from Victim Witness Services Supervisor.  Exercises no direct supervision over staff.  
 
CLASS CHARACTERISTICS
This is a fully competent class that performs the full range of duties required to provide services within the District Attorney’s Victim Witness program, designed to reduce trauma and assist participants in coping with the personal impact of being a victim of or witness to crimes.  Positions at this level receive only occasional instruction or assistance as new or unusual situations arise and are fully aware of the operating procedures and policies of the work unit.  This class is distinguished from the Victim Witness Services Supervisor in that the latter is a full supervisory class with responsibility for the program.(Illustrative Only)
Management reserves the right to add, modify, change, or rescind the work assignments of different positions and to make reasonable accommodations so that qualified employees can perform the essential functions of the job.
 

• Contacts victims of crimes to provide aid, assistance or referrals to appropriate services and resources to meet their needs; informs victims of legal rights and ensures rights are protected; provides 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; meets and confers 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 Court.
• Stays abreast of case developments by reviewing police reports, and 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.
• Assists victims and witnesses in completing impact statements.
• Provides crisis intervention and short-term and follow-up para-professional counseling to victims and witnesses of crimes to assist in reducing trauma and to facilitate adjustment.
• Works with members of the victim’s primary support group to assist them in dealing with various aspects of the victim’s experiences.
• Assists family members with funeral arrangements.
• Provides referrals to private and public sector organizations and professionals; assists victims and witnesses in applying for aid and obtaining counseling, medical and dental care, protective services, psychiatric services, child care, food, lodging and shelter, clothing and related services; secures vouchers as needed.
• Assesses eligibility and assists victims in obtaining compensation and restitution; assists in preparing claims; intervenes for victims with creditors, claim authorities and others as appropriate.
• Prepares case records, reports, and correspondence.
• Accompanies victims to court proceedings, meetings, and interviews with law enforcement and/or attorneys; explains court procedures and terms; provides court tours; notifies victims and witnesses of court appointments; follows up to ensure victims and witnesses appear as scheduled.
• Coordinates transportation for victims as needed for court appearance, medical purposes, counseling or law enforcement.
• Communicates with staff of other departments and agencies to obtain and relay information and to assist in coordinating activities.
• Receives and responds to inquiries from the public or other agencies concerning areas of responsibility.
• Oversees the work of and provides training of program volunteers.
• Performs routine clerical and administrative work as required, including preparing correspondence and reports, maintaining lists and logs, entering and retrieving computer data, copying and filing documents, reviewing and processing mail, sending and receiving faxes, answering the telephone, scheduling appointments and meetings, and ordering supplies.
• Attends meetings, workshops and training as appropriate to enhance job knowledge and skills.
• Develops and maintains information, outreach, and educational materials, including brochures, information packets, flyers, guides, and other documents; promotes awareness and support for the Victim/Witness Program through presentations and speaking engagements throughout the community.
• Develops and standardizes procedures and methods to improve and continuously monitors the efficiency and effectiveness of the Victim Witness advocate program, service delivery methods, and procedures; identifies opportunities for improvement and makes recommendation to management.
• Performs related duties as assigned.

Knowledge of: 

• Basic procedures of the courts and other law enforcement agencies; structure and functions of the criminal justice systems.
• State and local services available to crime victims and witnesses.
• Problems, needs, and attitudes of crime victims.
• Basic psychology and sociology as they relate to crime victims, including the dynamics of child abuse and domestic violence.
• Applicable Federal, State and local laws, regulations, policies, and procedures.
• Principles, practices, and procedures of crisis intervention and counseling.
• Principles and practices of records management, report preparation, and business letter writing.
• Modern office practices, methods, and computer equipment and applications related to the work, including the use of computers for word and data processing, records maintenance, and PowerPoint applications.
• English usage, grammar, spelling, vocabulary, and punctuation.
• Basic business arithmetic. 
• Methods of effective public speaking and presentation.
• 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.

 
Ability to: 

• Obtain necessary information from individuals in stressful or emergency situations; work with emotionally distraught, traumatized and/or disorderly individuals in a calm and effective manner.
• Effectively represent victims through both law enforcement department and court procedures, ensuring their rights are protected.
• Assess needs and refer clients to the appropriate community agencies; become familiar and develop relationships with private and public sector organizations involved in providing support services to victims and witnesses.
• Provide crisis intervention, trauma reduction, and follow-up counseling assistance.
• Logically and progressively interview victims and witnesses.
• Interpret, explain and apply laws, rules and regulations related to victim and witness services programs.
• Gather, assemble and verify information related to victim identification.
• Analyze, interpret, summarize, prepare and present administrative and technical information, data, and reports in an effective manner.
• Organize and prioritize a variety of multiple tasks and schedules in an effective manner; organize work, set priorities, meet critical deadlines and follow up on assignments with a minimum of direction.
• Understand and follow complex oral and written instructions.
• Perform public presentations with confidence and professionalism.
• Maintain accurate records and files.
• Use hand-held and CB radios.
• Perform required mathematical computations accurately.
• Maintain confidentiality and discretion as required.
• Operate modern office equipment including computer equipment and specialized software applications programs for word and data processing and records maintenance.
• Use English to communicate effectively and concisely over the telephone, in writing, and in person to groups and individuals.
• Use tact, initiative, prudence and independent judgment within general policy, procedural and legal guidelines in politically sensitive situations.
• Establish, maintain, and foster cooperative relationships with those contacted in the course of work, including those of diverse socio-economic and cultural backgrounds.

 
Education and Experience:
Any combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying.  A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be

Equivalent to completion of the twelfth (12^th) grade supplemented by two (2) years of college-level coursework in psychology, social work, sociology, or a related field, and two years of crisis intervention or related para-professional counseling experience. A Bachelor’s degree in psychology, social work, sociology, or a related field may substitute for the required experience.
 
Licenses and Certifications: 

• Possession of, or ability to obtain, a valid California Driver’s License by time of appointment.
• Possession of, or ability to obtain, Entry Level Victim Advocate Certificate issued by the California Office of Emergency Services within first six (6) months of employment.
• Possession of, or ability to obtain, Advanced Level Victim Advocate Certificate issued by the California Office of Emergency Services within first year of employment. 
• Ability to complete required courses in self-defense.

Technical skills needed to be successful in this position:

• Crisis intervention
• Legal navigation
• Trauma-informed care
• Ethics
• Case management
• Resource mapping

Interpersonal skills needed to be successful in this position:

• Empathy
• Active listening
• Cultural competence
• Resilience
• Time management
• Boundary-setting

Salary : $21 - $25