Victim Advocate

ATTORNEY GENERAL (DEPT OF LAW)
VICTIM ADVOCATE Address: 2005 N CENTRAL AVE, PHOENIX, AZ 85004 Salary: $36,779 - $55,000 Grade: 19 Closing Date: OPEN UNTIL FILLED

Job Summary:

The Arizona Attorney General’s Office Criminal Division/Office of Victim Services Section is seeking a Victim Advocate. Under general or limited supervision, this position will perform case management, human service and administrative duties of moderate difficulty, assisting victims through the complex investigations & prosecutions of the Attorney General's Office including:

• Conducting case management, providing quality trauma-informed crime victim services, including both mandated and non-mandated services, as cases progress through the criminal justice process.
• Handling often high-profile and complex cases such as multi-victim white collar crimes, elder exploitation, human trafficking, and appellate and death penalty cases, including victims' rights notification activities; assisting victims with restitution claims; and promotion of victims' interests and participation in the criminal justice progress.
• Implements program policies and procedures, operating manuals and protocols.
• Reviews and documents case activity and serves as a resource on victims' rights issues.
• Facilitates victim meetings and serves as a liaison between the victim and the investigator, prosecutor and community agencies statewide.
• Provides crisis counseling and intervention (when necessary) and follow-up services to victims, such as referrals to community agencies for assistance, court orientation and escort, personal and legal advocacy.
• Ensures complete and accurate case documentation of activities and services.
• Assists in the selection, training and monitoring of volunteer interns.
• Provides coverage for other advocates.
• Performs crisis response when applicable and requested.
• Completes periodic assignments from the Advocate Program Manager and the Director of OVS.

This position may be eligible to work remotely up to two days a week based upon the department's business needs and continual meeting of expected performance measures.

• Contact victims by phone or in writing to provide mandated victims' rights and non-mandated services; receive victims' calls; assess victims' needs and concerns; describe program services; explain victims' rights, pre-trial proceedings; accompany victims to court proceedings, interviews, etc.; refer victims for services available throughout community agencies; provide emotional support and empathetic listening; explain status and disposition of victim cases.
• Assist victims in compilation of restitution claims, including assisting with paperwork; assist with completion of victim impact statements; intervene on victims' behalf with employers, creditors and landlords; provide other forms of specialized assistance to victims.
• Promote advocacy and best practices for service to victims by working closely with case agents and prosecutors to strengthen program within the Special Investigations Section (SIS) and understand the dynamics of a law enforcement culture; partner with prosecution teams to ensure effective case management and advocacy; ensure victims' rights compliance within caseload.
• Case Management: examine and review documents, case records, incoming correspondence, memoranda and evaluate appropriate actions to be taken, including formulating responses and conferring with supervisor for advice. Confer with agents, attorneys and victim service experts in order to broaden knowledge, acquire specific information or obtain advice on victims' rights and victim assistance. Attend workshops and training sessions to improve working knowledge and skills.
• Respond to cold calls/emails from members of the public. Responsibilities include providing services to constituents such as referrals to community agencies for assistance, referrals to law enforcement agencies and internal referrals. When called upon, will provide crisis response in conjunction with AGO requests.
• Assist with training and educating volunteer/intern advocates who participate in the Office of Victim Services volunteer intern program. Functions include recruiting and…