Crime Victim Advocate

Position Description

Human Services, a department of the City of Seattle, funds and operates programs and services that meet the basic needs of the most vulnerable people our community – families and individuals with low incomes, children, domestic violence and sexual assault survivor s, homeless people, seniors, and persons with disabilities . We invest in programs that help people gain independence and success.

Human Services, Crime Survivor Services (CSS) is a division of the Human Services Department, comprised of two programs – the court -based C rime V ictim A dvocates (CVA) and the Victim Support Team ( VST) . Both programs work with survivors of crimes of coercive control such as domestic violence, elder abuse, sexual exploitation, sexual assault, human trafficking, internet crimes against children, child abuse , hate crimes, as well as the famil ies of homicide victims . Crime Victim Advocates are co-located in the Seattle Police Department investigative units, working closely with the detectives and prosecutors to ensure the survivors have a voice in the criminal process, and their rights are protected.

Crime Survivor Services is actively recruiting for a Crime Victim Advocate to work alongside the Seattle Police Sexual Assault Investigative Unit . This position will report to the HSD Crime Survivor Services Victim Advocate Supervisor , with a dotted-line reporting structure? to the SPD?investigative lead?staff. System based advoca tes provid e comprehensive services to survivors throughout the investigation and criminal proceedings to ensure their rights are protected and to help them navigate the complexities of the criminal justice system .

Job Responsibilities

General responsibilities of all Advocates :

• Provide advocacy to survivors and family members of person-to-person crimes to address their emotional, physical and financial needs to reduce the impacts of trauma.
• C onnect crime survivors to the investigators working on the case.
• P rovide information about crime victims’ compensation and other victims and explain what to expect during various stages of the criminal justice process.
• Act as a liaison with follow-up detectives and prosecutors , supporting survivor s during interviews.
• Accompany survivor s to court hearings and trial. Supporting the survivor may include reading a statement on their behalf.
• Update families and survivor s on the status of the investigation and court proceedings.
• Develop strong and effective working relationships with detective follow-up units and the King County Prosecutors Office to empower, support and educate families and survivor s throughout the Criminal Justice System process.
• Facilitate ongoing partnerships within the Seattle Police Department, regional victim services agencies , and other community resources to promote and secure the rights of victims in the aftermath of a crime.
• Maintain accurate case files, records , and track statistics related to the cases.
• Develop and maintain a network of relationships with police, prosecutors and other criminal justice representatives and collaborate with regional social service agencies and community organizations.
• Advise survivor s of their rights and serve as liaison between survivor s and social service agencies .
• Provide light case management including safety planning, emergency resources, housing and shelter resources, connection to support services, assistance obtaining interpreter services, legal assistance , and transportation.
• Coordinate with the Department of Corrections and provide case information to Community Corrections Officers and the DOC Victim Advocate Liaison, who then notifies and provides information and advocacy to survivor s whose offenders are currently serving time in state prison.
  
  

Responsibilities

In addition, these responsibilities are specific to Sexual Assault:

• Accompan y survivor s and families during police interviews and Child Forensic Interviews .
• P rovide comprehensive advocacy to survivors and the parents/guardian s of sexual assault and child abuse once a police report is made in Seattle .
• Provide immediate safety planning and advocacy regardless of whether or not charges are filed.
• C oordinate with SPD Sexual Assault Unit Detectives including assist ing them in establishing contact with the survivor or sharing additional information provided by the survivor for follow up/investigation.
• Provides timely updates to the survivor on court hearings and prosecution decisions to survivors throughout the criminal justice process.
• Provides court accompaniment and ensures survivor’s wishes are heard and known by the court.
• P articipates in Multi-disciplinary Team (MDT) meetings with various community agencies to address follow-up issues for both King County Superior and Juvenile courts.
  
  

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications:

Education: B.S. in Social Sciences, social work or a related field is required ( or a combination of education and/or training and/or experience which provides an equivalent background required to perform the work of the class).

Experience: Two years of experience working with victimized populations , including direct management of individual cases

Certification/License: WA State Driver’s License . An SPD background check will be required for candidates selected for this position.

Or a combination of education , training and/or experience which provides an equivalent background required to perform the work of the class).

Desired Qualifications

• Knowledgeable of trauma informed, victim advocacy strategies and the principles and processes of emotional and mental support that respects victim autonomy and confidentiality.
• Knowledge of the King County Court s ystem, the Seattle Municipal Court system , and the ability to work collaboratively with profession al s within the criminal justice system including detectives, prosecutors, police officers , and advocates.
• Knowledge of criminal laws and processe s .
• Case management experience in maintaining case notes, program data and statistics.
• Ability to work in collaborative work environments, including the ability to manage and share responsibilities with others .
• Knowledgeable of WA state crime victims bill of rights.
• Strong understanding of racial and social justice analysis.
• Possess strong customer service skills, and excellent verbal and written communication skills in order to interact professionally and effectively with agency personnel, external partner organizations, and the diverse community victims you serve .
• Possess the ability to change priorities based on workload and need.
• The ability to work independently, be highly organized and detailed-oriented.
• The ability to maintain confidentiality and follow strict procedures and protocol surrounding sensitive law enforcement data.
• Ability to work in high stress environment while remaining professional and flexible.
• Experience with individuals who have mental health, substance abuse issues, are experiencing homelessness, and/or have criminal record .
• Bilingual skills are highly desirable.
• Extensive experience working with and supporting BIPOC communities.
• Experience partnering with community-based organizations to address systemic inequities.
• Experience planning coordinated responses to gender-based violence or violent crime.
  
  

Additional Information

Hiring Process:

Applications are reviewed after the posting closes. Qualified candidates must submit the following to be considered:

• Completed NEOGOV online application.
• Current résumé indicating relevant experience and education.
• Cover letter describing how your skills and experience align with the stated job responsibilities and qualifications.
• Supplemental questionnaire responses.
• Offers of employment are contingent on verification of information provided by the applicant as part of the application process, including potential background check.
• Please note this job advertisement is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.
  
  

The full salary range for this opportunity is: $39.65 - $46.11 an hour.

The City of Seattle offers a comprehensive benefits package including vacation, holiday, and sick leave as well as medical, dental, vision, life and long-term disability insurance for employees and their dependents. More information about employee benefits is available on the City's website at: https://www.seattle.gov/human-resources/benefits/employees-and-covered-family-members/most-employees-plans .