Victim Advocate Supervisor

The City of Seattle Human Services Department (HSD) is seeking a Victim Advocate Supervisor for the Safe and Thriving Communities Division, Crime Survivor Services (CSS) Unit. CSS provides systems-based advocacy and trauma response services to victims, survivors, and families impacted by crime and violence. The CSS Unit includes Crime Victim Advocates, who are co-located with Seattle Police Department investigative units, and the Victim Support Team, a volunteer trauma response program.

Crime Victim Advocates work with survivors of felony crimes including domestic violence, stalking, sexual assault, sexual exploitation, human trafficking, internet crimes against children, child abuse, violent crime, and with family members of homicide victims. Advocates work closely with detectives, prosecutors, courts, and community-based providers to help ensure survivors are informed, supported, connected to resources, and able to exercise their rights throughout the criminal legal process.

This position will supervise assigned Crime Victim Advocate teams within the CSS Unit, with an anticipated initial focus on the Domestic Violence and Violent Crimes Unit advocacy portfolios. Final portfolio assignment may be adjusted based on unit needs, staffing transitions, and the skills and experience of the selected candidate. This position reports to the Crime Survivor Services Manager.

If selected, candidates for this position must pass an SPD civilian background check to be eligible for employment. Please see below for more information about this position.

The Victim Advocate Supervisor provides direct supervision, coaching, consultation, and operational oversight to Crime Survivor Services Victim Advocates who serve as liaisons between crime victims, survivors, families, and the criminal legal system. The supervisor supports consistent advocacy practice across assigned crime types; ensures timely communication regarding court proceedings, victim rights, safety planning, and available resources; and strengthens coordination between advocates, detectives, prosecutors, courts, and community-based service providers.

The Advocate Supervisor ensures that advocates are equipped with current best practices in crime victim advocacy, trauma-informed care, survivor-centered communication, race and social justice principles, documentation standards, and case management procedures. This position works closely with Seattle Police Department investigative units, King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office staff, City Attorney’s Office staff, community partners, and HSD leadership to support coordinated, responsive, and survivor-centered services.

• Directly supervise and support assigned Crime Survivor Services Victim Advocates, who provide direct services to crime victims, survivors, and families impacted by domestic violence, violent crime, homicide, child abuse, elder abuse, sexual assault, hate crimes, human trafficking, commercial sexual exploitation, and internet crimes against children.
• Provide weekly or bi-weekly individual supervision to assigned advocates, with frequency based on staff experience, training needs, workload, and case complexity.
• Facilitate team meetings, case staffings, reflective supervision spaces, and debriefing opportunities for assigned teams.
• Monitor advocate workload, performance, documentation, and case management practices to ensure timely, consistent, and survivor-centered service delivery.
• Establish employee goals and conduct annual employee performance reviews.
• Participate in hiring, onboarding, and initial training for new CSS staff.
• Approve and track scheduling changes, sick time, and PTO for assigned advocates.
• Work with the CSS Manager to address employee conflicts, performance concerns, workload issues, and team culture needs.
• Support staff wellness, trauma stewardship, and concrete strategies to reduce the impact of secondary traumatic stress and compassion fatigue.
• Provide leadership that encourages open communication, staff development, accountability, healthy boundaries, professional growth, survivor empowerment, and a…