What are the responsibilities and job description for the Volunteer - Victim Advocate position at City of Sheridan?
THIS IS A VOLUNTEER, UNPAID POSITION, NO BENEFITS
This recruitment will be open for a year. Applicants must go through a training that takes place in April. Your application will be reviewed and held until we get closer to April 2026.Under limited supervision, a Volunteer Victim Advocate serves as an informed source of support to the victims during the immediate crisis. Coordinate and provide immediate contact with victims of crime to offer individual and family support, information on the criminal justice system, support agency referral, aid in acquiring emergency shelter, emotional support and facilitation in other immediate needs.
- Provide on-call services for the Sheridan Police Department in Arapahoe County
- Work closely with various community organizations and services
- Assess immediate victim needs, including that of shelter and provide referrals and follow-up services.
- Act as a liaison between victims and the criminal justice system
- Ensure that victims are aware of their rights under the Colorado Crime Victims’ Compensation Act and the Colorado Constitution, and assist in applying for appropriate funds
- Complete and promptly return call-out information at the end of each shift to VA Coordinator
- Provide victims with information about court proceedings
- Complete necessary reports documenting services rendered and activities performed
- Represent law enforcement agencies in a positive and professional manner when on scene and when contacting victims
- Be available for a minimum of 3-4 shifts/per month. One of the shifts must be a Saturday or a Sunday
- Attend monthly volunteer meetings/in-services
- Participate in a ride-along with an officer a minimum of once every 12 months
- Be available to respond within 30 minutes to call-outs
- Attend continued job-related training
- Adhere to the confidentiality policies
- Participate in Sheridan Celebrates and other relevant community events.
- Assists VA Coordinator with putting together crisis intervention materials, filing, data entry, follow-up contacts to victims and other tasks when needed
- Must be able to work on-call shifts
- Must submit to a background check
- Must be at least 21 years of age
- Must have an open and non-judgmental attitude toward victims and survivors
- The ability to communicate well, use common sense, and respond quickly in stressful situations are essential qualifications
- Applicant must be able to take meticulous notes for record-keeping of incidents and victim contact information.
- High School Diploma or GED
- Complete the initial 40-hour training
- One-year commitment to the program. Due to the sensitive and complicated nature of work, less time severely limits a satisfactory volunteer experience
- Reliable transportation and good driving record
- Must complete initial training, and successfully pass all application requirements
