What are the responsibilities and job description for the Victim Services Program Specialist position at Alachua County, FL?
Minimum Qualifications
Bachelor's degree in social work, criminology, women’s/gender studies or a related field; or any equivalent combination of related training and experience. Applicants within six months of meeting the minimum education/experience requirement may be considered for trainee status.
A Valid Florida Driver License is required and a Motor Vehicle Record that meets the requirements of Alachua County policy #6-7; Motor Vehicle Records will be reviewed prior to employment. If, in the past 24-month period, the applicants Motor Vehicle Record has more than three (3) moving traffic infractions or three (3) or more at fault motor vehicle accidents (or combination of both and /or a conviction/pending charge for driving under the influence) or is in violation of any standard mandated by Federal or State Law or Regulation, the minimum qualifications are not met for the position.
This is a grant funded position. There are no rights to permanent employment.
Position Summary
An employee assigned to this classification is responsible for assisting crime victims with planning, coordinating and expediting relocation into safe housing, and securing resources to aid in recovery from a crime. Work may involve serving as liaison with other county, state or community agencies and organizations. Work may involve analyzing clients’ safety needs to prepare a safety plan and perform research to locate services and safe housing options.
Work is performed under the direction of a higher-level supervisor and is reviewed through conferences, reports and observation of results obtained.
Examples of Duties
This is an emergency essential classification. Upon declaration of a disaster and/or emergency, all employees in this classification are required to work.
Exudes a positive customer service focus.
Advocates building organizational culture through aligning decisions with core values including: integrity, honesty, respect, diversity, innovation, accountability and communication.
Assists program staff with assessing crime victims’ emergency financial and safety needs, and developing a plan to address unmet needs.
Expedites victims’ applications for emergency financial intervention services (shelter, relocation, transportation, and other financial assistance) offered by the program and other programs (local and state).
Coordinates access to necessary emergency services (food, clothing, shelter, transportation and medical needs) to eligible victims of sexual violence and other crimes.
Assists crime victims in securing and preparing necessary paperwork and supporting documentation for filing victims’ benefits claims with local and state programs.
Serves as a liaison with federal, state, county and private programs for the purpose of coordinating emergency safe housing needs and other emergency financial needs that are a result of a crime.
Monitors crime victims’ benefits claims, tracks progress and communicates back to staff members and/or crime victims the status of their claim.
Meets with crime victims to distribute needed resources.
Informs crime victims of F.S.960, Victim Assistance, and other related laws giving protections and rights to crime victims, as needed.
Informs local and state organizations, programs and businesses about crime victims’ rights per Florida statute to ensure crime victims are not billed for services that should otherwise be covered by victims’ programs (local and state).
Attends program related meetings, workshops, trainings and conferences.
Conducts bi-annual review of local and state programs and compiles list of services available to crime victims.
Prepares written and statistical reports for grant funders and program analysis.
Maintains and participates in the processing of receipts and records for billing and grant management purposes.
Assists in assembling data for annual budget preparation.
Assists with greeting victims at the front desk and answering the helpline, as needed.
Advises the general public, and other County employees of program policies and procedures.
Operates County-owned motor vehicles and transports clients on an as needed basis.
Performs the duties listed, as well as those assigned, with professionalism and a sense of urgency.
NOTE: The examples listed above are intended only as illustrations of the various kinds of work performed in positions allocated to this class. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES
Knowledge of victim services and the legal system as it relates to crime victims’ rights and benefits.
Knowledge of available governmental and community agency programs and resources.
Knowledge of modern office practices, systems and equipment.
Knowledge of agency policies, procedures and regulations related to the area of assignment.
Skill in the use of office related equipment including a personal computer including word processing software, telephone, copier, and fax machine.
Skill in the operation of motor vehicles.
Ability to analyze situations quickly and accurately and respond with an appropriate course of action.
Ability to plan and coordinate work to meet the emergency needs of crime victims.
Ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with the general public, co-workers, and other programs.
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 sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to stand and walk.
The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and the 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.
