8868 - Victim Advocate (District Attorney)

Jackson County Employment Opportunity.

The primary goal of the Jackson County Victim Assistance Program is to provide support, information, and resources to victims of both adult and juvenile crimes committed in Jackson County. The program provides advocacy services to crime victims and assists them as they move through the criminal justice system.

Jackson County strives to recruit, hire and retain the best employees!

I. Position Summary

Performs advocacy work and restitution duties for the Jackson County Victim Assistance Program and performs complex administrative work to support the department. Performs a full range of duties with only occasional instruction or assistance within a framework of established procedures.

II. Examples of Essential Position Duties (The following duties represent some of the principal job duties; however, they are not all-inclusive. Other duties may be required or assigned.)

• Initiates contact with victims and/or witnesses in felony and misdemeanor criminal cases by letter, telephone, and/or interview; explains criminal justice system, statutes, and procedures; advises victims of rights. Provides initial contact and on-going liaison between victims and the Prosecutor’s office.
• Provides advocacy for victims, provides referrals, escorts victims to hearings, provides support to victims throughout the legal process.
• Provides outreach to the community.
• Gathers restitution information. Researches, determines, and orders restitution.
• Works closely with attorneys to arrange appointments and appearances at trial and hearings; coordinates schedule and travel arrangements; attends interviews and court with victim providing emotional support.
• Gathers and inputs statistical data; creates and runs reports.
• Interfaces with social service agencies providing victim support services and refers victims for appropriate short- and long-term needs; assists victims in completing complex forms and applications necessary to receive services.
• Assists the public in person and by telephone; answers questions regarding processes and procedures.
• Adheres to regulatory requirements, collective bargaining agreements, County and departmental policies and procedures, required trainings, as well as safe work practices.
• Develops and maintains effective internal and external working relationships at all levels.
• Has regular and reliable attendance. Overtime may be required.

III. Minimum Requirements(Performance of the essential duties of this position includes the following requirements, physical demands and/or working conditions)

Education and Experience

• High school diploma or equivalent AND five years progressively responsible experience in legal or social services or counseling working directly with clients; OR
• Any combination of education and experience which provides the applicant with the desired skills, knowledge, and ability required to perform the job.

License, Certificate or Other

None

IV. Other Requirements

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Requires knowledge of and ability to explain judicial procedures, case processing, work related laws and codes, and legal terminology. Knowledge of dynamics of violence, victimization, crisis counseling, victim’s rights, and office and basic bookkeeping practices and procedures. Excellent oral and written communications skills to establish rapport and to deal effectively with victims, attorneys, the general public, other county offices and agencies, often under stressful conditions, using courtesy, tact and good judgement. Skill in operating standard office equipment such as computers, calculators, and photocopiers. Ability to work quickly, accurately, and thoroughly with close attention to detail to meet deadlines; to work independently, prioritizing and organizing work with a minimum of supervision; to establish and maintain filing and record keeping systems; to make accurate mathematical calculations, and ability to collaborate with law enforcement agencies, social service agencies, and Prosecutors’ offices in the community.

Physical Demands (Performance of the essential duties of this position includes the following physical demands)

Ability to work in an office environment; requires the ability to exert a small amount of physical effort in sedentary to light work involving moving from one area to another; may require some moderate lifting, bending, reaching, kneeling and some climbing of stairs; sufficient hand/eye coordination to perform semi-skilled repetitive movements such as operating office equipment; may have slight exposure to communicable diseases and hazardous material. A physical hazard may occur from agitated defendants awaiting or during trials or hearings. Sensory requirements include sound and visual perception and discrimination, as well as oral communications ability.

Working Conditions (Performance of the essential duties of this position includes the following working conditions)

Work is generally performed in an office environment and may include exposure to disruptive people and potentially graphic content, including, but not limited to, photos, images, audio, video, documents, and other written materials.

V. Additional Information

This classification description is not intended to be an exhaustive list of duties, knowledge, skills, abilities, or requirements, as any one position in this classification may be assigned some or all of these duties, in addition to other duties not explicitly listed here. The various duties, responsibilities and/or assignments of this position may be unevenly balanced and change from time to time based upon matters such as, but not limited to, variations in the shift, work demands, seasons, service levels and management’s decisions on how to best allocate department resources. Any shift, emphasis or rebalancing of these assigned duties, responsibilities and/or assignments does not constitute a change in the job classification. The County shall schedule employees and determine FTE consistent with its determination as to efficiency of operations, financial advantages to the County, and/or effective service to the public.

ADA and Equal Opportunity Employer

In accordance with the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) and its amendments, Jackson County does not discriminate on the basis of disability in its hiring or employment practices. A person who requires an accommodation for any part of the recruitment process should contact the Human Resources Office, Attn. ADA Coordinator, at (541) 774-6036 or by TTY/TDD 711 or (800) 735-2900 as far in advance as possible but no later than 48 hours before the scheduled need.

Jackson County is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, age, national origin or disability. For a copy of Jackson County's Equal Employment Opportunity Plan, visit our web site at www.jacksoncountyor.gov or call 541-774-6036.

Because of the Immigration Reform Act of 1986, persons hired by the County must be able to present acceptable documents verifying identity and authorization to work in the United States.

Salary : $24 - $33