The City of Kirkland is looking to hire a Family Youth Advocate for the Police Department!

Job Summary Under the general direction of a Lieutenant, the Family/Youth Advocate provides victim assistance, intervention, counseling and coordinating assistance in family/youth issues such as domestic violence and missing/runaway juveniles.
Principal Accountabilities 

• Review all police reports related to domestic violence and youth issues of missing/runaway juveniles.
• Provide immediate crisis intervention assistance to victims, assess safety concerns, provide appropriate victim referral to community-based agencies such as Eastside Domestic Violence Program, and inform victims of legal options to assist in development of comprehensive safety plans.
• Track and monitor all missing/runaway juvenile cases, ensuring appropriate follow-up investigations are completed, referring cases to, and working with, appropriate social service agencies in addressing related youth issues and problems.
• Appear at all domestic violence arraignments, pre-trials, bench trials, jury trials, sentencings and, if requested, review hearings in order to represent the victim’s wishes and provide input on the victim’s behalf when necessary. Help victims fill out Domestic Violence Protection orders and appear at all related hearings to facilitate the protection order process.

Essential Duties 

• Contact victims of domestic violence, if possible, prior to arraignment proceedings to discuss safety plans, and provide information on legal processes, options and requirements, and court orders of protection or no contact. Keep victims informed of the results of all court hearings for their criminal case.
• Provide victims with referral information on community-based agencies dealing with domestic violence, and work with these agencies in a cooperative effort to provide long-term support, counseling, safe housing, and other needs.
• Maintain contact with the prosecutor providing domestic violence case updates as necessary and written notices as to victim reliability and willingness to assist in prosecution. Complete no contact orders as requested by the prosecutor.
• Explain legal processes to victims; prepare victims for court and accompany victims to court. Appear for absent victims to insure their interests are represented in court.
• Interact positively with all members of the criminal justice system such as police personnel, court personnel, probation counselors, treatment providers, CPS case workers, and jail screeners, disseminating necessary information and maintaining open lines of communication.
• Actively work with social service agencies and area youth programs such as YES, Friends of Youth, and Family Services in addressing juvenile related issues and problems.

Additional Responsibilities 

• Gather and compile statistical data for monthly reports. Develop victim surveys, administer surveys and compile results. Analyze trends in outcomes of criminal domestic violence cases.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of the Stipulated Order of Continuance (SOC) program in cooperation with Family Violence Officers, Prosecutor’s Office, Court personnel, Probation, Domestic Treatment providers and Eastside Domestic Violence (EDVP).
• Coordinates with Family Violence Officers and domestic violence and youth service providers in conducting training sessions with service providers on domestic violence and youth issues for internal personnel and outside organizations as requested.
• Set up motions to lift or modify court orders on a victim’s request and appear with the victim at such motions.
• Work with School Resource Officers in providing intervention services with identified juveniles experiencing problems in the family setting.
• Support the Domestic Abuse Response Team program, including but not limited to additional trainings and information as needed.
• Performs other duties as required or directed.

• Possess excellent verbal and written communications skills.
• Ability to interact with a diverse group of people, and to use tact, discretion and courtesy with staff, other agency, and public contacts.
• Excellent understanding of the dynamics of domestic violence.
• Working knowledge of the Criminal Justice System and associated social service providers.
• Flexibility in approach to duties, possessing the ability to readily adapt to changing Department needs.
• Ability to effectively handle multiple tasks both in normal circumstances and under pressure.
• Excellent computer skills.

Minimum Qualifications 

• Bachelor’s degree in Social Work, Counseling, Psychology or related field, or minimum five years experience in a criminal justice agency, counseling environment or legal services agency/firm working with domestic violence and/or youth issues.
• Current valid Washington State driver’s license.
• Must be able to obtain a police security clearance including polygraph, psychological and background prior to hire.

Working Conditions 
Work is primarily performed in an office environment. Some travel is required for court appearances, victim interactions or coordinating with social service providers.

Selection ProcessPosition requires a resume and cover letter for consideration of application. Please note how you meet minimum qualifications within the cover letter. Applicants who are selected for next steps in the hiring process will be invited by phone or e-mail. Candidates are encouraged to apply at the earliest possible date as screening, interviewing, and hiring decisions will be made through the recruitment period, until such time as the vacancy is filled.

The City of Kirkland is a welcoming community where every person can thrive and grow. We value diversity, inclusion, belonging, and work together to support our community. We do this by solving problems, focusing on the customer, and respecting all people who come into the City whether to visit, live, or work. As an Equal Opportunity Employer, we are committed to creating a workforce that does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, age, color, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, marital status, genetic information, veteran status, disability, or any other basis prohibited by federal, state or local law. We encourage qualified applicants of all backgrounds and identities to apply to our job postings. Persons with a disability who need reasonable accommodations in the application or testing process, or those needing this announcement in an alternative format, may call 425-587-3210 or Telecommunications Device for the Deaf 425-587-3111.