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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCrime Victim AdvocateJob Title: Department: Reports To: FLSA Exempt (Y/N): Union: BBP: Salary Level: Location: Approved By: Approved Date: JEFFERSON COUNTY Job Description Crime Victim Advocate Prosecuting Attorney Prosecuting Attorney NO UFC W NO Grade 25 Courthouse Human Resources Manager July 2020 SUMMARY: Performs duties associated with victim assistance and advocacy, and restitution matters. Works with citizens who have been physically, emotionally and/or financially damaged by criminal conduct. ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Other duties may be assigned. Makes contact with victims of crime in person, by telephone or by mail, in order to provide them with information and advocacy regarding the court process. Interviews victim and/or family members in order to assess victim needs. Assists victims in applying for Crime Victim Compensation through the Department of Labor and Industries. Providing advocacy to victims as they negotiate the Crime Victims Compensation program and appeal process. Assist victims in petitioning for Orders of Protection or Anti -Harassment orders. Informs victims and witnesses of court dates and results of court proceedings that may affect them. Accompanies victims to court as required. Assists victims and in preparing to testify. Serves as liaison with the Deputy Prosecuting Attorneys for victims and witnesses, and involve victim in decisions being made. Obtain information from victims regarding the losses suffered as a result of the crime, prepare and file restitution documentation prior to hearing. Document in case files any contact with victims and/or witnesses that will be helpful to Deputy Prosecuting Attorneys or Criminal Department support staff. Jefferson County Job Description: Crime Victim Advocate Page 2 of 3 Participate in appropriate professional organizations, community groups and training for the purpose of networking, gaining skills and addressing prevention of violence in the community. Complies with confidentiality requirements of the Rules of Professional Conduct (RPC), including RPC 1.6, RPC 3.6, and RPC 3.8. RPC 1.6 prohibits disclosure to any person outside of the Prosecuting Attorney's Office (PAO) of information obtained from clients, except under limited circumstances that only the Prosecuting Attorney can approve. For purposes of this job description, "clients" are the County and its employees, and the Port Townsend Police Department and its employees. RPC 3.6 prohibits employees of the PAO from having any communication outside of the PAO about the investigation or communication of a matter being handled by the PAO, except in limited circumstances that only the Prosecuting Attorney can approve. RPC 3.8 discusses the special responsibility of prosecutors in the justice system and prohibits employees of the PAO from having any communication outside of the PAO that could have a substantial likelihood of heightening public condemnation of the accused in a criminal case. Performs other duties as assigned or required. SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES This job has no supervisory responsibilities. QUALIFICATIONS To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE High School graduate including or supplemented by an Associate's degree (A.A.) or equivalent from two-year college and two years' experience and/or training in Social Work, Criminal Justice or related field; or equivalent combination of education and experience. LANGUAGE SKILLS Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations. Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals. Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, clients, customers, and the general public. MATHEMATICAL SKILLS Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as discounts, interest, commissions, proportions, percentages, area, circumference, and volume. Ability to apply concepts of basic algebra and geometry. REASONING ABILITY Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form. Jefferson County Job Description: Crime Victim Advocate Page 3 of 3 CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS Valid Washington State Driver's License OTHER KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES Advocacy skills, including restoring the victim's sense of safety, dignity and personal power, working to protect the civil and legal rights of the victim, respecting the victim's right to privacy and confidentiality, providing services to each client in a manner that is tailored to meet that client's needs and promote his or her well-being. Networking skills, including development of working relationships with community resources available to crime victims. Assessment skills, including assessing current needs and resources of individual victims, actual or potential threats, and the need for consultation or referral. Crisis intervention skills. Knowledge of standard office practices, recordkeeping, and office equipment used in a legal office. Must be able to withstand stressful work environment and still maintain amicable working relationships with co-workers and the general public. PHYSICAL DEMANDS The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel and talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to stand, walk, and sit. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus. WORK ENVIRONMENT The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. CAREER LADDER POSITION This position is not part of a career ladder.