Victim Advocate

Description

GRANT POSITION

Specialized work responsible for coordinating and implementing all Victim Advocate Unit program activities for the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office (ACSO). Victim Advocates provide first response services to victims of violent and non-violent crimes in Alachua County, conduct victim follow-up, coordinate referrals to other service providers, and assist in criminal justice advocacy. This position requires independent judgment, discretion, and initiative in the performance of the duties required.

Work is performed under the direct supervision of the Lead Victim Advocate. Performance is evaluated through observation, oral/written reports, conferences, results obtained, and appropriate employee performance appraisals.

Examples of Duties

(15%) Assistance with Victim Compensation:

• Provide information to victims of the availability of crime victim compensation
• Assist victims in completing required forms and needed documentation
  
  

(20%) Information & Referral:

• Provide victims with information about the criminal justice process and victim rights including how to obtain notifications, referrals to other victim service programs, and referral to other services, supports, and resources (including legal, medical, and faith-based organizations, address confidentiality programs, etc.)
  
  

(20%) Personal Advocacy/Accompaniment:

• Provide victims with advocacy and/or accompaniment to emergency medical care, medical forensic exams, and/or law enforcement interviews
• Provide individual advocacy (assistance in applying for public benefits, return of personal property), immigration assistance (UVISA, I-918, continued presence applications), intervention with employer, creditor, landlord, and/or academic institutions, transportation assistance, and interpreter services when able
  
  

(15%) Emotional Support or Safety Services:

• Provide crisis intervention (in-person, includes safety planning, etc.), on scene response (community crisis response), and emergency assistance changing windows and/or locks (if funds are available)
  
  

(20%) Criminal/Civil Justice System Support:

• Assist and provide advocacy to victims as it relates to the various stages of the criminal justice process, most specifically those related to ACSO case activity
• Provide notification of criminal justice events (e.g., case status, arrest, court proceedings, case disposition, release, etc.), victim impact statement assistance, prosecution interview advocacy/accompaniment, and law enforcement interview and/or advocacy/accompaniment
  
  

(10%) Other duties may include:

• Coordinate the Victim Advocate on-call schedule
• Document and record data on victims served for VOCA statistical purposes
• Act as a liaison with other public and private service providers in the county
• Research criminal history and DCF history when appropriate
• Secure and maintain their Victim Services Practitioner Designation (Office of the Attorney General)
  
  

*This job description is not intended to be a comprehensive list of duties and responsibilities of the position. The omission of specific job function or task does not absolve an employee from being required to perform additional tasks incidental to or inherent in the position.

Typical Qualifications

EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

High School/GEDRequiredBachelor's DegreeRequiredPreferred Major(s): Sociology, Psychology, or other related field

Experience And Training

• Two (2) or more years of experience as a victim advocate preferred
• Experience in crisis counseling/crisis management
• Familiarity with community assistance programs
• Ability to speak, read, and write Spanish preferred
• Those who will be earning their Bachelor’s Degree within six (6) months will be considered
• Any combination of education and experience which provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities
  
  

CERTIFICATION AND LICENSING:

• Current, valid Florida driver’s license
• Complete Victim Services Practitioner Designation training within first year of hire
  
  

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Sit/stand for moderate periods of time
• See and hear at a normal range
• Speak, read, write, and understand English fluently
• Ambulate independently
• Lift/carry 25 pounds
• Push/pull light to moderate loads
• Bend and squat
• Manual dexterity
• Drive a vehicle
  
  

Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities

• Knowledge of English grammar, punctuation, and spelling
• Knowledge of counseling techniques, victim advocacy, and crisis management
• Knowledge of federal, state, and local victim/community assistance programs
• Knowledge of federal, state, and local laws and ordinances affecting victims and their rights
• Skilled in the use of small office equipment, including copy machines and/or multi-line telephone systems
• Skilled in using computers for data entry
• Skilled in using computers for word processing and accounting purposes
• Skilled in decision-making and problem-solving
• Skilled in conflict resolution and stress management
• Ability to pay attention to details
• Ability to show initiative and not afraid to take reasonable risk
• Ability to work in stressful conditions
• Ability to complete assigned tasks in a timely manner
• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing
• Ability to work independently
  
  

We offer a complete benefits package to full-time employees and part-time employees who work 20 hours or more a week. These benefits include health care, dental, vision, retirement, flexible spending account, life insurance, holidays, vacation, and sick leave.

Most of our benefits are aligned with the Alachua County's benefits. We also offer cutting edge and comprehensive training available for law enforcement.

The Alachua County Sheriff's Office is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The Alachua County Sheriff's Office gives preference in employment/appointment to eligible veterans and spouses of disabled veterans. Applicants with disabilities will be reasonably accommodated in the application process. Minorities and protected classes are encouraged to apply.

01

The information provided in your application must support your selected answers in the supplemental questions. The information you provide will be verified and documentation may be required. Please be as honest and accurate as possible. You may be asked to demonstrate your knowledge and skills in a work sample or during an interview. By completing this supplemental questionnaire you are attesting that the information you have provided is accurate. Any misstatements, omissions, or falsification of information may eliminate you from consideration or result in dismissal.

• Yes, I understand and agree
• No, I do not agree
  
  

02

If you have served in the military, have you received a Dishonorable Discharge?

• Yes, I have served in the military and received a dishonorable discharge.
• No, I have served in the military and have NOT been dishonorably discharged.
• N/A - I have not served in the military
  
  

03

Do you possess a current, valid Florida driver's license or would you be able to obtain one prior to your start if hired?

• Yes
• No
  
  

04

Which statement below best describes the highest level of education you have completed?

• High school graduate, diploma or the equivalent (GED)
• Associate degree
• Bachelor's degree
• Master's degree
• Professional degree
• Doctorate degree
  
  

05

Are you fluent in both Spanish and English?

• Yes
• No
  
  

06

Do you have experience in crisis counseling/crisis management?

• Yes
• No
  
  

07

Do you have familiarity with community assistance programs?

• Yes
• No
  
  

08

Do you have experience in developing community relations?

• Yes
• No
  
  

09

Do you meet the following criteria? "I do NOT have visible tattoos/body ornamentation on the hands and/or knuckles or head and neck area; which include the head, scalp, face and neck area above the collar bone in the front and the first cervical vertebrae in the back, or is otherwise visible due to the open collar of a uniform shirt."

• Yes, I meet these qualifications
• No, I do NOT meet these qualifications
  
  

10

Do you have visible facial piercings or unnaturally colored/graphically designed contact lenses you regularly wear?

• Yes
• No
  
  

11

Do you have a split/forked tongue, foreign objects inserted under the skin to create a design or pattern, or intentional scarring on your face or head?

• Yes
• No
  
  

12

Are you willing and able to remove your piercing(s), gauges greater than 1/4", foreign objects, or unnaturally colored/graphically designed contact lenses?

• Yes
• No
  
  

13

Do you have a current, valid medical marijuana card?

• Yes
• No
  
  

14

Have you tried, used, sold or experimented with Marijuana in the last 90 days? If yes, please list last date of use or sale.

15

Have you used, tried or experimented with any illegal drug/controlled substance, other than marijuana, within the last year?

• Yes
• No
• Required Question