Violent Crimes Victim Advocate

Human Services, a department of the City of Seattle, funds and operates programs and services that meet the basic needs of the most vulnerable people our community - families and individuals with low incomes, children, domestic violence and sexual assault victims, homeless people, seniors, and persons with disabilities. We invest in programs that help people gain independence and success.

Crime Survivor Services (CSS) is a unit within the Safe and Thriving Communities Division, comprised of two programs-the system-based Crime Victim Advocates (CVA) and a volunteer trauma response called Victim Support Team (VST). CSS work with survivors of crimes of coercive control such as domestic violence, elder abuse, sexual exploitation, sexual assault, human trafficking, internet crimes against children, child abuse as well as hate crimes and the family of victims of homicide.

The Crime Victim Advocates are co-located in the Seattle Police Department investigative units, working closely with the detectives and prosecutors to ensure the survivors have a voice in the criminal process, and their rights are protected.

Human Services, Crime Survivor Services is actively recruiting a Victim Advocate to work alongside the Violent Crimes Investigative Unit, Seattle Police Department and the King County Prosecuting Attorney's Office. This system-based advocacy position will include providing comprehensive services to survivors of violent crime and surviving family members of homicide throughout the investigation and criminal proceedings to ensure their rights are protected, and to help them navigate the complexities of the criminal justice system.

This position will report to the HSD Crime Survivor Services Advocate Supervisor and is co-located within the SPD investigative unit at SPD Headquarters.

* Provide advocacy support and resources to survivors of physical assault and surviving family members of homicide to help address their emotional, physical, and financial needs to reduce the impacts of trauma.

* Assist survivors and their families in the grief and bereavement process following a homicide, assess what the family's needs are, including but not limited to: providing information about Crime Victims Compensation burial benefits and assisting with the application process; providing information about the Medical Examiner's Office and supplying a list of funeral homes if needed; grief/trauma support counseling; interceding in media requests, assisting in making arrangements for family members to come to Seattle, and assisting in returning non-evidentiary property to the victim's family.

* Update families and victims on the status of the investigation and court proceedings and explain what to expect during various stages of the criminal justice process, as well as laws surrounding violent crimes.

* Work closely with the King County Prosecutors and serve as an intermediary between the victim and the system, communicating to the prosecutor and the court the victim's wishes/concerns in their case.

* Ensue that the victim is kept informed about the case as the case proceeds through the system.

* Accompany victims to arraignments, bond hearings, defense interviews, further interviews involving the prosecutor and assigned detective, trial when victim is called to testify and sentencings.

* Coordinate with the Department of Corrections and provide case information to Community Corrections Officers and the DOC Victim Advocate Liaison, who then notifies and provides information and advocacy to victims whose offenders are currently serving time in state prison.

* Provide the victim with community-based resources such as counseling, emergency financial assistance, children/youth resources, crisis information contact info.

* Aid special populations, such as non-English speaking people, refugees, the deaf, blind and developmentally disabled clients and arrange for interpreters when needed.

* Develop strong and effective working relationships with detective follow-up units and the King County Prosecutors Office to empower, support and educate families and victims throughout the Criminal Justice System process.

* Maintain case…