What are the responsibilities and job description for the Victim Advocate - Prosecution position at City of Sparks?
Are you looking for a meaningful career that has a positive impact on the community? If you answered YES, come join the City of Sparks! Aside from working for an organization that is dedicated to the community, you will also receive a generous and competitive salary, benefit package, tuition reimbursement, bilingual pay (when applicable) and retirement plan. People who come to Sparks stay in Sparks.
The City Attorney's Office is looking for an individual with experience in a public agency setting as a victim advocate, social worker, or counselor. While not required, the ideal candidate will preferably be bilingual in Spanish.
Are you the ideal candidate? If so, apply now!
Application Tips:
- COMPLETELY fill out and update your general online application before attaching it to any new job posting. HR reviews information listed on the application submitted to the specific job posting. HR does NOT use personnel files in the screening process.
- Contact information: use an email address you can easily access at any time.
- The Qualifications section below is your guide to understand what the City is looking for on your application, use this to your advantage. It is up to the candidate seeking employment/promotion to include all relevant information for qualification purposes, on the application the candidate submits to be considered for the job.
- DO attach: licenses/transcripts/certificates that will demonstrate you meet the education or certification requirements (see qualifications section to determine what documents to attach) or preferred experience/education.
- DO NOT attach resumes or cover letters. The City of Sparks does not review these items with the application.
- Enable TEXT messaging in your application before you hit submit! This feature will allow the recruiter to send you important reminders throughout the recruitment process.
The posting may be extended or close without notice when a sufficient number of applications are received and/or a hiring decision has been made.
If you have any questions, please email hrstaff@cityofsparks.us. The City of Sparks is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
DESCRIPTION
Provide service and support as an advocate for the rights of victims of crime and provide victim services consistent with the requirements of Marsy’s Law; appear in court to assist witnesses and adhere to legal and court procedures at all times.
DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS
This single position class is assigned to the City Attorney’s Office and is expected to perform duties with little supervision.Applicants must possess the following minimum qualifications to continue in the recruitment process:
Education and Experience:
Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent in criminal justice, social work or related field.
OR
High school diploma or equivalent and 4 years of experience as a victim advocate, counselor, or other role providing client counseling.
OR
Equivalent combination of education and experience.
Licenses and Certificates:
Must possess within thirty (30) days of hire and maintain throughout employment, the equivalent to a valid Nevada Class C driver's license.
Must possess within six (6) months of hire and maintain throughout employment, a valid NCIC/CJIS Certification.Provide support to victims of domestic violence, victims in cases with a domestic violence nexus, and to all other misdemeanor crime witnesses. Accompany victims to court as needed from arraignment until sentencing and further as required. Prepare subpoenas for personal service of victim and service on other witnesses. Contact and interview witnesses. File complaints and report to court. Collect information from victims and witnesses to aid prosecutors.
Provide emotional support, referrals and information to victims including crime victims' rights and victim compensation information/application. Work closely and interact with prosecutors, detectives, patrol officers, supervisors, service providers, other advocates, governmental agencies and the public to ensure victim's rights and needs are addressed.
Work together with community resources to fulfill needs such as shelter, transportation, counseling, referrals, food, property return, general advocacy and support. Assist victims with safety planning and needs. Receive and provide training regarding victim advocacy and trauma-informed interviewing.
Provide information to the victim and/or the public in English and/or Spanish, in person or by phone, regarding resources and services that are available to victims of crime. May be required to translate Spanish to English and English to Spanish with the help of a translator, both orally and from written material, at victim meetings with prosecutors, court hearings, and other court functions. Perform or arrange for language interpreters needed for victim contacts and trial.
Perform detailed office support duties adhering to office policy and court procedures. Receive, prepare and process a variety of legal documents for the City Attorney's office. Organize and maintain various files. Maintain detailed case reminders and follows up with victims as necessary.
Conduct thorough case management on all cases. Follow-up on contacts; document statistics and prepare quarterly reports on the advocacy provided.
Participate in victim and witness advocacy programs.
Perform other duties which may be assigned.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
- Knowledge of pertinent federal, state and local laws and victim's rights pertaining to area of assignment
- Knowledge of methods of research, case analysis and management
- Knowledge of court procedures, codes, processes and terminology
- Knowledge of principles and procedures of legal, grant, and financial record keeping
- Knowledge of legal office practices and procedures including filing and business letter writing
- Knowledge of trauma response and the impact on victims
- Knowledge of operations, services and activities of a victim and witness advocacy program
- Knowledge of principles and practices of emergency management
- Knowledge of and ability to use trauma-informed interviewing
- Knowledge of and ability to use effective interviewing techniques, listening skills and compassionate communication and counseling skills
- Knowledge of and ability to use correct English and when applicable and possible Spanish usage, including grammar, spelling and punctuation
- Knowledge of and ability to use computer applications and software related to the work including but not limited to Microsoft Office
- Ability to effectively communicate both orally and in writing, a variety of legal terminology, concepts and court procedures
- Ability to organize and maintain accurate files and records
- Ability to organize work, set priorities and meet critical deadlines
- Ability to use initiative and independent judgment within established guidelines
- Ability to establish and maintain effective relationships with those contacted during the course of work
- Ability to train others in work procedures
Physical Demands:
Requires ability to work in a typical office setting and use standard office equipment. Requires the ability to sit, stand or walk for prolonged periods of time. Ability to adapt to the surroundings of the victim’s environment both indoors and outdoors. Occasionally lift and bend. Ability to cope with emergency or stressful situations. Aside from working in a general office environment, in which the majority of the work is sedentary in nature with major exposure to a computer screen, the person in this position will be expected to cope with and be effective in the face of workplace stressors such as, but not limited to, exposure to information that may be sensitive and graphic and may be emotionally difficult to process, maintaining the security of information, people and property, competing priorities of reasonable or high significance to the successful function of the department, etc.
SUPPLEMENTAL JOB POSTING INFORMATION
- This position is Exempt under FLSA guidelines
- This position is at-will and exempt from the Regulations of the Civil Service Commission
- Required to be called back, held over, work off-hours, nights, weekends and holiday shifts
- Required to work during emergency circumstances or inclement weather conditions
- This position reports to the Chief Assistant City Attorney
- Supervision exercised: None
- Must submit a fingerprint card
- May be required to pass a pre-placement drug screen and detailed background investigation
You are required to submit any required documents as requested above, at time of application for further consideration. Failure to submit the required and/or requested information may result in rejection of your application.
Recruitment Communication:
Human Resources will be contacting you at various stages of the recruitment process via email, even if you have chosen U.S. mail for prior application processes or for applications with other agencies. Please make sure your email address is accurate.
Reasonable Accommodation:
Human Resources will make efforts to provide reasonable accommodations to disabled candidates in the selection process. If you have special needs, please notify the Human Resources office when you turn in your application or at least three (3) business days prior to the examination/interview by calling (775) 353-2345.
Disclaimer:
The City of Sparks reserves the right to select applicants who demonstrate the best combination of qualifications for the position.
Salary : $63,502 - $95,285
