Police Victim Assistant Advocate

38 Police Department - Cheyenne, WY 82001 Overview Position Type:
Full Time Education Level:
High School or GED Category:
Other

Police Victim Assistance Staff Advocate

It is the purpose and goal of the Cheyenne Police Department Victim Assistance Program to enhance the treatment of victims and survivors of criminal and non-criminal crisis situations by providing victims with the assistance and services necessary to speed their physical and emotional recovery; to support and aid them through the progress of the criminal justice system; and to make referrals to appropriate agencies.

Pursuant to the Victim Bill of Rights, the following services, although not all inclusive, are responsibilities of Victim Advocates and staff:

• Provide 24-hour crisis intervention and response for victims of sexual assault, domestic violence, and victims of all crime.
• Respond to crime scenes or the hospital at the request of law enforcement officers or detectives.
• Direct crime victims to medical care, mental health resources, emergency food and shelter, clothing, and other subsistence, transportation, or child-care resources
• Coordinate follow-up information with officers/detectives.
• Accompany victims and witnesses to court as requested.
• Aid sexual assault victims, domestic violence victims and other crime victims with crime victim compensation applications and restitution process.
• Advise crime victims as to the status of their cases.
• Assist victims with writing Victim Impact Statements
• Inform victims about legal processes involving protection orders, restraining orders, anti-stalking orders or other protection measures.
• Assisting with coordination of the Volunteer program
• Complete required training of 40 hours prior to providing direct services to victims, 10 hours of additional training in legal advocacy for staff providing direct services to clients and 10 hours of annual on-going staff training attended through conferences, in-service, or webinar.

• Perform other duties and responsibilities as required.

• Knowledge of modern office procedures and relevant software
• Knowledge of record keeping and filing principles
• Excellent interpersonal skills: including the ability to interact with a wide range of people and culturally diverse communities with a consistent and positive perspective.
• Strong skills in problem solving and conflict resolution.
• Skills to set relationship boundaries.
• Ability to be sensitive and empathetic to people in a variety of crisis situations.
• Ability to work cooperatively with a wide range of people.
• Ability to establish, develop, and maintain effective working relationships.
• Ability to work independently and to exercise reasonable judgement in decision-making.
• Ability to maintain a high level of confidentiality.
• Ability to communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing
• Ability to work as part of a team and independently and to exercise reasonable judgement in decision-making.

Be at least 21 years of age. Experience communicating with others in a compassionate and non- judgmental manner.

Academic degree in Human Services, Psychology, Criminal Justice, or two years of experience in the advocacy field.

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to maintain effective audio-visual discrimination and perception needed for making observations, communicating with others, reading, and writing. The employee is also required to maintain physical condition necessary for operating assigned equipment, walking, standing, kneeling, repeated bending or sitting for prolonged periods of time and lifting to 30 pounds.

Maintain mental capacity which allows the capability of making sound decisions demonstrating intellectual capabilities. This is safety sensitive position and is subject to random drug and alcohol testing.

Work closely with others in an office environment utilizing a computer and other office equipment. Primary office type setting where the employee may sit comfortably for many hours at a time. Crime Scene and Hospital Response with exposure to a variety of sights and odors. Minimal overnight travel, usually for training classes. Maintain availability by telephone or cell phone when scheduled for on-call.

Position is a grant funded position. Must be willing to submit to a background investigation, a polygraph and have no prior felony convictions.

• Health
• Dental
• Vision
• Life
• Pension