What are the responsibilities and job description for the Victim Advocate position at City of Largo, FL?
Please note that applications must be completed and submitted by 11:59 pm ET on the day prior to the close date listed on the job posting.
Mission: Provide Superior Services that Inspire Community Pride
Vision: To be the Community of Choice in Tampa Bay
Values: Integrity, Collaboration, Passion, Creativity
Largo's commitment to a High Performance Organization (HPO) model builds a flexible and resilient organization that intentionally builds leadership capacity at all levels of the organization.
CITY OF LARGO ... Naturally A Great Place to Work!
Closing:
02/25/2025
Salary:
$55,640 - 89,024 USD Annually
Job Summary:
The starting salary range for this position is $55,640.00 to $63,986.00 depending on experience.This is a specialized professional position responsible for providing advocacy and support services to crime victims, including children and families who have experienced domestic violence and related crimes. This position ensures victims receive the community services made available to them, and develops partnerships to promote the long-term effectiveness of such services. Provides victim-centered education and training to officers as well as community based organizations. Employees in this position work independently, using a high degree of initiative, tact, judgment and discretion. Work is performed under general administrative direction.
Additional Benefits:
- Additional $3,800 employee benefit dollars; the unused balance of which can be kept as taxable income
- Defined Contribution Plan 401(a) with a generous 6.5% City match
- Benefits also include 12 paid holidays and 24-hour full access to City fitness center. Continuous learning is supported through tuition reimbursement and professional development opportunities.
- May receive $2,500 in relocation assistance for candidates outside Pinellas, Pasco, Hillsborough, or Manatee counties.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
All employees share components of leadership, management, technical, and team skills to assist in making the City of Largo the community of choice in Tampa Bay.
Leadership
- Demonstrates an understanding and reflection of the City’s mission, vision, and values and a commitment to achieve organizational goals aligned with the City’s strategic plan
- Champions a high performance work culture that encourages and embraces new ideas, develops individuals and welcomes and encourages diverse perspectives
- Articulates strategic and innovative thinking and provides clarity to deliver superior services
- Approaches the job with enthusiasm and curiosity to promote a solutions-oriented work culture
Management
- Effectively manages assignments and priorities to ensure the fulfillment of projects, tasks, and responsibilities
- Follows suggested procedures to assure the highest standards of risk management, employee safety and risk avoidance
Technical
- Directs victim services which includes crisis intervention, responding to scenes and domestic violence calls, and safety planning
- Provides ongoing support to victims throughout court process; coordinates and assists in civil and criminal court when necessary
- Performs case management; reviews reports for quality assurance
- Assists victims with filing crime compensation when applicable
- Maintains current and working knowledge of current local, state, and federal laws regarding victim advocacy and domestic violence
- Develops and maintains listing of available resources to crime victims; collaborates with community based organizations on community issues regarding victims' rights; assists with shelter placement when applicable
- Consults and trains officers regarding laws, victim-centered dynamics and available resources
- Operates Police Department vehicles in response to calls and provides transportation for victims and families
- Utilizes Police Department's Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) and Records Management System (RMS) and Odyssey Court System software for research
- Serves as liaison to Attorney General for victims' rights
Team Skills
- Supports honest and transparent decision-making
- Collaborates with all team members in a way that builds upon ideas and takes personal accountability and ownership of projects, roles, and assignments
- Openly exhibits a positive attitude, in words and action, and encourages others to do the same
Performs related work as required.
EMERGENCY RESPONSE STATUS: As a condition of employment, City of Largo employees will be required to work as directed during an undeclared and/or a declared emergency. All employees are subject to recall around the clock for emergency response operations, which may require irregular work hours, work at locations other than the normal work location, and may include duties other than those specified in the official job description.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Education and Experience:
- Bachelor's Degree in Social Work, Psychology, Education, or closely related field, and five (5) years of directly related professional experience in victim assistance, crisis intervention, social work, rehabilitation counseling, public and private community resource sharing or an equivalent combination of training and experience
- Valid Driver's License
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
- Knowledge of interviewing, counseling, crisis intervention strategies and case management
- Familiarity with community resources related to social service assistance, including personal counseling and financial assistance agencies
- Knowledge of criminal justice system, law enforcement administration, crime prevention and laws pertaining to domestic violence
- Highly developed communication, presentation and interpersonal skills; ability to establish effective relationships with crime victims, families, children, social service agencies and the general public
- Skilled in the collection, analysis and interpretation of data
- Ability to work both independently and in close coordination with law enforcement officials
- Ability to work nights, weekends and holidays, on a flexible schedule, on a twenty-four hour per day "on call" basis
- Ability to respond immediately and work effectively at violent and emotional crime scenes
WORK ENVIRONMENT & PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
Work Environment: 85% inside a climate controlled building. 15% outside which may include driving.
Physical Requirements: The essential functions of the job require: sitting approximately four (4) hours per day, standing approximately two (2) hours per day, and walking approximately two (2) hour per day. The work often requires: bending/stooping, climbing, crawling, fine manipulations, grasping, kneeling, pulling, pushing, reaching, repetitive motion, lifting/carrying of objects weighing up to 15 pounds. On rare occasions the work requires lifting/carrying of objects weighing up to 44 pounds.
Sensory Requirements: Hearing: Ability to understand what others are saying in normal conversation in person, on the telephone, Ability to detect specific noises, and hear the police radio; enough to understand court proceedings in person and on television. Speaking: Ability to communicate orally with others in person, on the telephone, and while giving formal presentations to groups. Seeing: Ability to see and read computer monitor screens, operate a vehicle, read fine print, and detect images on a court monitor.
Driving Requirements: Requires occasional driving and possession of a valid Florida Driver's License.
Technology: The work requires ability to operate telephones, smart phones, tablets, photocopiers, printers, desktop and/or laptop computers, calculators and all associated software. The work also requires proficiency with computer hardware and software programs including word, spreadsheet and/or database applications, internet applications, and database management.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION:
Yes - DRUG TESTING (Safety Sensitive)
No - CHILDCARE FINGERPRINTING
No - CREDIT CHECK
Yes - FDLE AND CJSTC SECURITY CLEARANCE: As mandated by the FDLE, CJSTC and the Largo Police Department, this position may be subject to additional security clearances due to access to the police department facility or police department's electronic data.
About Us
The City of Largo a great place to work, naturally! Largo is the third-largest city in Pinellas County and the fourth largest in the Tampa Bay area. Conveniently located near world-class beaches and attractions in a picturesque natural setting, Largo offers a great quality of life for residents with affordable housing and entertainment, an engaged and active community along with safe and attractive streets. The City Parks system is made up of nearly 500 acres of green space including 20 parks, 11 miles of walking trails and many opportunities to canoe, kayak, and paddleboard.
About the Organization
The organization serves over 80 thousand residents and four thousand businesses by providing superior services that inspire community pride. The organization is made up of 12 departments with a shared strategic focus on sustainability, public health & safety, and community pride.
Largo is committed to building a High-Performance Organization (HPO) model to intentionally support flexibility, resiliency, and leadership capacity at all levels of the organization. HPO empowers individuals to participate in meaningful projects and initiatives to promote employee and community engagement.
As a national Top Workplace winner three years in a row, the City of Largo is proud of our innovative, collaborative, and passionate workforce. Team members enjoy competitive compensation, professional and personal development, generous benefits and leave packages, and work-life balance. A family-friendly atmosphere, tree-lined streets, and award-winning parks just begin to define the community we serve. The City of Largo prides itself on living up to its vision of being the Community of Choice in Tampa Bay, Naturally! To learn more about the organization, please watch the
City of Largo Values
video.
About our Benefits
Team members enjoy competitive compensation, professional and personal development, generous benefits, leave packages, and a flexible work life balance. Largo provides medical, dental, and vision coverage as well as wellness benefits. Additional benefits include flexible spending account (FSA) or health savings account (HSA) along with paid life insurance and AD&D coverage. Supplemental life is offered at additional cost.
Full-time team members are enrolled in a Defined Contribution Plan 401(a) with a generous 6% City match. Public Safety team members covered by IAFF (Fire) and PBA (Police) have plan provisions outlined in each union agreement. All team members are eligible to open an optional Deferred Compensation 457(b) and/or Roth 457(b).
Benefits also include 11 paid leave days and 24 hour full access to fitness centers. Continuous learning is supported through tuition reimbursement and professional development opportunities. For more information on the City of Largo Employee Benefits offerings, please review our
Largo Lifeline
.Salary : $55,640 - $89,024
