Volunteer - Victim Advocate Job Englewood area,Colorado USA,Social Work

Volunteer Victim Advocate

This is a volunteer, unpaid position, no benefits. This recruitment will be open for a year. Applicants must go through a training that takes place in April. Your application will be reviewed and held until we get closer to April 2026.

Under limited supervision, a Volunteer Victim Advocate serves as an informed source of support to the victims during the immediate crisis. Coordinate and provide immediate contact with victims of crime to offer individual and family support, information on the criminal justice system, support agency referral, aid in acquiring emergency shelter, emotional support and facilitation in other immediate needs.

Examples of Duties

Provide on-call services for the Sheridan Police Department in Arapahoe County

Work closely with various community organizations and services

Assess immediate victim needs, including that of shelter and provide referrals and follow-up services.

Act as a liaison between victims and the criminal justice system

Ensure that victims are aware of their rights under the Colorado Crime Victims' Compensation Act and the Colorado Constitution, and assist in applying for appropriate funds

Complete and promptly return call-out information at the end of each shift to VA Coordinator

Provide victims with information about court proceedings

Complete necessary reports documenting services rendered and activities performed

Represent law enforcement agencies in a positive and professional manner when on scene and when contacting victims

Be available for a minimum of 3-4 shifts/per month. One of the shifts must be a Saturday or a Sunday

Attend monthly volunteer meetings/in-services

Participate in a ride-along with an officer a minimum of once every 12 months

Be available to respond within 30 minutes to call-outs

Attend continued job-related training

Adhere to the confidentiality policies

Participate in Sheridan Celebrates and other relevant community events.

Assists VA Coordinator with putting together crisis intervention materials, filing, data entry, follow-up contacts to victims and other tasks when needed

Typical Qualifications

Must be able to work on-call shifts
Must submit to a background check
Must be at least 21 years of age
Must have an open and non-judgmental attitude toward victims and survivors
The ability to communicate well, use common sense, and respond quickly in stressful situations are essential qualifications
Applicant must be able to take meticulous notes for record-keeping of incidents and victim contact information.
High School Diploma or GED
Complete the initial 40-hour training
One-year commitment to the program. Due to the sensitive and complicated nature of work, less time severely limits a satisfactory volunteer experience
Reliable transportation and good driving record
Must complete initial training, and successfully pass all application requirements