Victim​/Witness Advocate

• Job Code and
  
  Title:
  
  8129-Victim/Witness Investigator I
• Fill Type:
  Permanent Exempt
• Compensation: USD 88998 - USD 108186 - yearly

• Application Opening:
  August 25, 2026
• Application Filing
• Recruitment

Appointment Type:
Permanent-Exempt (PEX) Appointment. Pursuant to the City & County of San Francisco Charter, Section 10.104.13, any person occupying a position under exempt appointment shall not be subject to civil service selection, appointment, and removal procedures. Exempt employees shall serve at the pleasure of the Appointing Officer.

The San Francisco District Attorney's Office is one of the premier law enforcement organizations in the United States. Our mission is to collaborate with the City’s diverse communities and law enforcement agencies to make San Francisco one of the safest cities in America. Our office engages in public education and crime prevention efforts while maintaining the traditional role of investigating, charging, and prosecuting all criminal violations occurring within the City and County of San Francisco.

The unparalleled opportunities for challenging, meaningful, and sophisticated work have consistently drawn top candidates to our office over the years.

The Victim Services Division (VSD) of the San Francisco District Attorney’s Office strives to make the criminal justice system humane and accessible by providing support and assistance to victims and their families in the immediate aftermath of a crime, during criminal prosecution, and after a verdict has been reached. Even if justice is served in the courtroom, it does not always immediately change the way victims feel in their day-to-day lives.

Our division provides victims with advocacy support during the pendency of the criminal justice process, streamlines the process for collecting restitution and recouping compensation for financial losses when possible, and, in general, works tirelessly to support victims regain control over their lives. To accomplish that end, our division is organized into the following units:

The Office of the District Attorney is seeking the role of a Victim/Witness Advocate to work within the Victim Advocacy Unit.

The Victim Services Division is seeking qualified applicants for positions in the 8129 Victim Witness Investigator I job classification, functional title Victim/Witness Advocate. The Victim/Witness Advocate role is an in office, administrative role that involves working to support victims of crime dealing with crisis in the aftermath of a crime. While Advocates support victims, witnesses, and survivors during challenging circumstances, the role is not including providing clinical services, therapeutic counseling, or long-term social-work intervention.

Instead, Advocates coordinate legally mandated services under the Victim-Witness Assistance Program, pursuant to California Penal Code Section 13835 and the Victims’ Bill of Rights.

Examples of job duties and responsibilities for all vacancies include but are not limited to:

• Advise and assist program participants in obtaining appropriate services, and refer them to professional psychological, health, medical, and social service care providers.
• Provide crisis intervention and emergency assistance to ensure timely and comprehensive responses to the immediate and long‑term needs of crime victims and survivors.
• Explain crime victims’ rights, the criminal justice system, and court proceedings, and provide information on case status and disposition.
• Assist in the preparation, verification, and submission of claims to the California Victim Compensation and Government Claims Board, and monitor claim progress and payment.
• Assist with arranging transportation for crime victims and survivors when appropriate.
• Conduct educational program presentations to City departments, community based partners, and residents in their communities.
• Provide translation services, orally or in written form, as required to meet division needs.
• Accompany crime victims and survivors to court proceedings and related hearings as needed.
• Become educated in and competently explain diversion, restorative justice practices,…