Victim Witness Advocate I​/II

Expected hire pay scale:

Level I: $1,720.44 - $1,896.78 bi-weekly

Level II: $1,807.54 - $1,992.82 bi-weekly

* Current County employees may be eligible for a higher step placement per the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU).

The County of Del Norte, District Attorney's Office, is seeking a qualified candidate for the position of Victim Witness Advocate I/II. The position is classified as full-time.

This is the full journey level class within the Victim/Witness Advocate series. This class is distinguished from the Victim/Witness Advocate Aide series by the assignment of a full range of duties. Under the general direction of the District Attorney or the Victim Witness Program Coordinator, the incumbent in this position performs a variety of services to victims and witnesses of crimes in accordance with the Victim/Witness Program in the County District Attorney’s Office.

This position is responsible for contacting, assisting, and notifying victims in regards to their legal rights as victims; and will maintain contact with the victims/witnesses as they navigate the legal process. The Incumbent will also be responsible for assisting the Victim Witness Coordinator with keeping statistical records and grant maintenance; provide services to all victims of crime, and function as an integral and supportive member of the Victim/Witness multi-disciplinary team.

The work in this position consists of professional and technical duties.

Essential job duties may include any of the following tasks, knowledge, skills and other characteristics. The list that follows is not intended as a comprehensive list; it is intended to provide a representative summary of the major duties and responsibilities. Incumbent(s) may not be required to perform all duties listed and may be required to perform additional, position-specific tasks.

• Plans, organizes and coordinates the functions provided by the Victim/Witness Grant Program for Del Norte County.
• Initiate victim contacts, including walk-in and call-in victims
• Acts as information source for clients, other individuals or agencies regarding the criminal justice system.
• Assists victims in submitting claims to the California Victim Compensation Program.
• Provide crisis intervention to victims of all types of crime, including field and/or home visits and provides emergency assistance.
• Acts as a court escort and/or provides courtroom accompaniment which may include coordination of transportation in conjunction with the case.
• Collects and analyzes statistics related to victims of crime as requested by the Victim/Witness Coordinator.
• Prepare correspondence, assessment reports, program information and related reports.
• Conducts follow-up counseling with victims to ensure their needs have been met.
• Assists in training Victim/Witness volunteers.
• Assists in training lower level Victim/Witness employees.
• Establish and maintain positive working relationships with other criminal justice and public and private agencies.
• Build and maintain positive working relationships with co-workers, other County, State and departmental employees, community agencies and resources, and the public utilizing principals of effective customer service.
• Perform related duties as required.

Any combination of training and experience which would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required knowledge and abilities would be:

Level I:

Education:

Graduation from high school or equivalent GED, supplemented with college course work in social-human services or other behavioral science.

Experience:

One (1) year of social service casework experience or responsible work experience in dealing with victims and witnesses of crimes, or within the criminal justice system. One (1) year of para-professional victim services, peer counseling, crisis intervention, social services or related experience.

Level II:

Education:

Graduation from high school or equivalent GED, supplemented with equivalent to graduation from college including 30 units in social/human services or other behavioral science.

Experience:

Two (2) years of social service casework experience in public sector or private social services agency, including some experience in supervisory capacity or an equivalent combination or education and experience as determined by the Appointing Authority and approved by the Human Resources Manager.

Desirable

Qualifications:

Advanced degree in social or behavioral science, criminology, public administration, or related field is highly desirable.

Knowledge Of:

• Knowledge of the methods and practices used in victim crisis intervention.

Ability To:

• Complete of the advanced California Victim/Witness Advocate Academy training within the first twelve months of being hired.
• Assess and analyze a case and take appropriate course of action.
• Work with hostile and uncooperative victims and witnesses who are under emotional stress.
• Apply complex laws and regulations to a variety of situations in an independent manner.
• Prioritize work in an…