What are the responsibilities and job description for the Victim Assistance Specialist position at City of Pittsburgh?
The Office of Community Health & Safety (OCH&S) works to address longstanding disparities in health outcomes and criminal legal systems involvement for people in Pittsburgh. Critical to OCH&S’s mission is the Continuum of Support, which develops and implements public health-informed strategies to prevent and respond to crises and elevates community initiatives and partnerships to ensure that Pittsburgh is a healthy and safe city for all.
The Victim Assistance Specialist (VAS) will work with OCH&S's Continuum of Support, Center for Victims, Women's Center & Shelter, Group Violence Intervention (GVI), and other services to provide direct support to community members who are victims of intimate partner violence (IPV), other categories of violent crime, and instances of trauma and grief. The successful candidate will have extensive knowledge of the existing services available for people who experience trauma and will coordinate the delivery of services to victims who are referred by the Pittsburgh Bureaus of Police, Fire, and EMS. Additionally, the VAC will serve as a partner to trauma service providers in community outreach, connecting victims with existing trauma and legal services, and will assist the Continuum of Support in addressing gaps present within the delivery of trauma support services. The successful candidate will also have experience in providing trauma-informed support to victims of violent crimes and those experiencing grief and trauma through connecting them with counseling, legal services, housing, food, and other resources the victims may need.
Department: Public Safety, Office of Community Health and Safety
Posting Type: Announcement
Salary: $68,162 per year.
Union: None, this is a non-union position.
Civil Service Classification: Non-Competitive
General Application Requirements: You must submit or show proof of all of the following at the time of filing your application (unless otherwise indicated below) or your application will be disqualified. Disqualifications based on any of these General Application Requirements are not subject to a Civil Service appeal.
- Applicants must submit a complete application including education, work experience, a resume (if applicable) and completed supplemental questions.
- Applicants must become residents of the City of Pittsburgh prior to employment and remain a resident throughout employment.
- Click here to view a map of City of Pittsburgh neighborhoods.
- A current, valid Class C Pennsylvania Motor Vehicle Operator's License is required at the time of filing application or prior to appointment, which must be maintained throughout employment. Written requests for accommodation based on the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act will be considered by the Department of Human Resources & Civil Service on an individual basis.
- Must obtain CJIS Certification within 30 days of appointment and maintain throughout employment.
NOTE: If your name appears on the current eligibility list for the position of Victim Assistance Specialist you do NOT need to re-apply. If you re-apply your application will be disqualified. Please click HERE to check if your name is on the current eligibility list.
NOTE: The City of Pittsburgh, as a matter of policy, conducts pre-employment and promotional background investigations on all candidates being considered for positions. The background investigation includes but is not limited to criminal background, driver's license and City of Pittsburgh real estate tax payments. Candidates may be disqualified from consideration for employment based on the results of their background investigation (as it relates to the job for which the applicant is being considered).
NOTE: Candidates being considered for employment will be required to submit official transcripts to verify post-secondary education (college/university, trade school, etc.) prior to being hired by the City of Pittsburgh. Transcripts must be submitted at the time of any/each job interview you have with the City of Pittsburgh.
Qualifying Requirements:
Your City of Pittsburgh application will be reviewed, and your work experience and education/training will be evaluated to determine if you meet the qualifying eligibility requirements listed below for this position. You will be sent an eligibility letter regarding your eligible/ineligible status.
WORK EXPERIENCE: The application must clearly show one (1) year of full-time experience working with those involved in the criminal legal system, crisis intervention, victim support, mental/behavioral health support, collaboration or coordination with health and safety programs, and working with the public. Three (3) years of experience is preferred. (Less than full-time experience will be calculated on a pro-rated basis. See NOTE under the General Application Requirements Section above regarding verification of education/training.)
EDUCATION/TRAINING: The application must clearly show one of the following:
Master of Social Work (MSW) from a fully accredited institution.
Licensed Social Worker (LSW).
Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW).
Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC).
EQUIVALENCY: None permitted for this position. No professional experience is accepted in lieu of the education/training.
- Written: None required for this position.
- Performance: None required for this position.
- Medical: None required for this position.
- Provides on-scene assistance with first-responders and law enforcement to serve victims and their families directly affected by violent crimes, people experiencing IPV, or natural or man-made disasters.
- Provides follow-up assistance to victims and their families via referrals from first-responders and law enforcement.
- Coordinates with GVI, Center for Victims and other trauma service providers to contribute assistance to victims of IPV, other categories of violent and crime, and instances of trauma.
- Collaborates with the Social Work Manager and Victim Assistance and Trauma Coordinator to address gaps in the delivery of trauma support services to community members.
- Serves as a point of contact to disseminate information about the legal process and resources for cases and educates victims on the process for pursuing criminal charges and what to expect once a complaint/arrest has been made.
- Assists victims in identifying appropriate resources and referrals to address their needs.
- Promotes interest and support at the local level about victim issues and programs by speaking to the public, civic, industry, community, and special interest groups.
- Responds to victims in person, by phone, email, letters, and faxes to assess victim concerns and determine eligibility for victim-witness services.
- Provides assessments for Acute Stress Disorder and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. Administers short term evidence-based trauma-informed clinical interventions to victims and survivors of trauma.
- The position will require non-standard working hours to assist with events or support, which may occur with minimal advance notice.
- Disseminates a library of resource materials for use by victims and witnesses of crimes, as well as community organizations.
- Will provide consultation to the Community Social Workers regarding best practices for supporting community members who are experiencing trauma.
- As a member of the Continuum of Support, will be trained and provide coverage for High Utilizer, Co-Response, and other future programs.
Salary : $68,162
