Victim Advocate Specialist bei City of Thornton, CO

Under general supervision, provides on-scene crisis intervention, advocacy and assistance to victims, witnesses and survivors of violent or non-violent crimes in the Cities of Thornton, Northglenn, and Federal Heights. 

(Essential functions, as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include the following tasks, knowledge, skills and other characteristics.  The list of tasks is ILLUSTRATIVE ONLY, and is not a comprehensive listing of all functions and tasks performed by positions in this class.)
 
Reads and interprets police reports.
 
Responsible for initial and follow up contact with victims, victim's family members and/or witnesses.
 
Assists victims in understanding and coping with their situations and contacting pertinent parties such as friends, family, health care professionals, law enforcement officers, attorneys and service providers.  
 
Makes appropriate referrals to community-based resources/services to address any identified needs.  Provides emergency support services such as developing a safety plan or addressing immediate safety needs.
 
Acts as liaison between victims and witnesses, law enforcement officers, prosecutors, social service agencies, and offices of the courts.  Coordinates any necessary meetings and may attend with victims to provide necessary support.  Provides explanations of victim rights and factual updates of the investigation and criminal proceedings. 
 
Assists victims or their families with victim compensation and financial assistance applications, appeals, restitution process or civil remedies.
 
Maintains statistical data for grant reporting; prepares reports documenting casework.
 
Researches and compiles lists of community resources available to victims. Develops and maintains information packets for victims.
 
Provides training and guidance to volunteer victim advocates and victim advocate interns on policies, procedures, liability and safety issues. Assists volunteers with caseloads as needed.
 
Represents the Cities of Thornton, Northglenn, and Federal Heights on various boards, committees, and task forces.
 
May be required to work overtime, weekends, and holidays. May be required to work on call.
 
Performs other duties as assigned.

Education/Experience:
High school diploma or GED; two years' experience in counseling or victim advocacy.  Equivalent combinations of education and experience may be considered.  Bilingual in English and Spanish preferred.

Licensing/Certification Requirements:
Valid Colorado driver's license with a safe driving record.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
Knowledge of the State of Colorado criminal justice system.
Knowledge of the policies, procedures and goals of the city of Thornton and the department.
Knowledge of the principles, practices, and techniques of crisis intervention.
Knowledge of current community-based services/resources available to crime victims and ability to assist victims with appropriate resources.
Skill in intervening in crises, assessing victims' needs and applying appropriate resources.
Skill in assisting victims in applying for restitution, victim compensation, and other financial assistance.
Skill in two-way radio operations.
Skill in sensitivity to cultural diversity, race, gender, and other individual differences in the workforce and populations served.
Ability to establish boundaries on the job and with the community served to include being honest, ethical and maintaining assigned roles and responsibilities.
Ability to comprehend and apply standards and guidelines of victim advocacy including the National Organization of Victim Assistance code of ethics and the Colorado State Constitution for Victims Rights.
Ability to interpret, understand and apply applicable laws, statutes, ordinances, regulations, and policies.
Ability to prepare reports documenting casework.
Ability to use standard office equipment, computer equipment and software including word processing, database management, spreadsheet applications and electronic mail.
Ability to listen well and communicate effectively orally and in writing with various audiences.
Ability to provide factual case updates to victims in an accurate and timely manner.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with City employees, law enforcement agencies, courts, legal representatives and the general public.
Ability to identify problems; determine accuracy and relevance of information; use sound judgment to generate and evaluate alternatives, and to make recommendations.

Physical and Mental Requirements:
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to balance, sit, stand, reach, walk, talk, hear, and see.  The employee is occasionally required to stoop, kneel, crouch, lift, twist, demonstrate manual dexterity, and grasp. The employee must be able to cope effectively with highly stressful and traumatic events.

Examinations may include but are not limited to application screening beyond minimum qualifications; written, oral, practical exercise or any combination thereof or other job related assessment deemed appropriate by Human Resources.
 
Your application will be used as a screening tool. Completeness and accuracy are important! Any false or untrue statements or material omissions in the application and related paperwork or during the selection process could disqualify you from consideration.
 
As a condition of employment, the city of Thornton conducts background investigations for all positions which may also include a review of credit report and/or driving record. A drug screen, physical, and/or psychological examination administered by a city-designated provider will be required for pre-determined positions.