CSP District Victim Advocate

This position is only open to Colorado state residents.

An eligible list established with this recruitment may be used to fill other similar positions within the Colorado Department of Public Safety in the next 12 months.

Candidates must reside in Adams, Arapahoe, Douglas, Larimer or Weld County

Our Mission -Engaged employees working together to safeguard lives and to provide diverse public safety services to local communities.

Our Vision -Creating safer and more resilient communities across Colorado.

Our Core Values – Unity, Honor, Service

CDPS commits to cultivating an equitable, diverse, and inclusive work environment. We ensure that we recruit, retain, and promote engaged employees. Our approach to diversity is simple - it's about embracing everyone! We strive to build and nurture a culture where inclusiveness is a reflex, not an initiative. Our strength is our promise to be inclusive with intentional strategies to welcome and uplift our employees to thrive - while building a more equitable workplace. CDPS is an equal opportunity employer. See our EEOD Utilization Report (2020)

Unmatched Benefits:

We highly value work life balance and offer excellent work-life programs, training and enriching professional development opportunities and a wide range of benefits.

• Medical and dental options are available for permanent employees and their dependents. We also offer short and long-term disability coverage, and life insurance that includes legal resources and discounts.
• State contribution into Health Savings Account when enrolled in HDHP.
• Job protected medical leave under the and the .
• Paid medical leave benefits provided by the State of Colorado.
• Eligibility for hybrid or other flexible work arrangements based on the nature of the role.
• We offer unmatched retirement benefits including mandatory PERA Defined Benefit Plan or PERA Defined Contribution Plan, plus optional 401K and 457 plans. For information on mandatory employee salary deferral (in lieu of contribution to Social Security), visit for details.
• CDPS provides generous time off including and four annual wellness days.
• The Employee Assistance Program (C-SEAP) is available in every region of the state. It is our effort to support the well-being of employees and the workplace. EAPs provide short-term counseling, referrals and resources, as well as training and organizational development services.
• Additional benefits offered include tuition reimbursement and reduced college tuition at CSU Global and DeVry University.
• membership eligibility.

About the Work Unit
This unit exists to provide direct services to victims, family members and witnesses of motor vehicle crimes on state and rural highways as required by Colorado’s Victims’ Rights Act.

About the Job
This position exists to provide comprehensive services to victims, family members and witness involved in motor vehicle incidents on Colorado state and rural highways by applying principles of human compassion, providing factual information regarding the crash, immediate resources for financial, medical, and counseling services, accompanying victims, family members, and witnesses to court appearances to help them participate in the criminal justice process. Advocates provide appropriate services to victims and family members from the onset of the crime to the resolution of the case, to ensure the Colorado State Patrol (CSP) is in compliance with Colorado’s Victim Rights Act (VRA).

Key Responsibilities
Crisis Intervention

Performs as the work lead to develop and implement crisis intervention 24/7 on-call for victims of traffic crimes, witnesses and family members at a residence, hospital or on the scene of a motor vehicle incident. Advocates prepare and anticipate the dynamics of the situation and potential obstacles to solve in serving victims, witnesses and family members all while safeguarding the Colorado State Patrol compliance with VRA. Utilizes decision making skills to provide numerous services for victims, family members, and witnesses of fatal and serious injury motor vehicle crashes to include but not limited to initial crash details, contact information, investigation and case updates including charging decisions, providing immediate factual information regarding the crime, follow-up information regarding the status of the investigation and status of the perpetrator, etc. If the crime falls under Colorado’s Victim Rights Act, the advocate provides services and documentation to ensure the CSP is in complete compliance with the Colorado Constitution. Advocates use their best judgment and act as on scene authority in crisis situations regarding victim rights. Advocates collaborate with county coroners and numerous state, federal and other counties in their assigned districts to assist coroners in making death notifications and providing follow-up support and services. Informs and reports motor vehicle crashes (fatal, life threatening or serious bodily injuries) to insurance companies. Retrieves personal items for victims, witnesses and family members from tow yards. For out-of-state victims, witnesses and family members, advocates assist with logistical needs and resources.

Motor Vehicle Theft
Performs as a lead to develop and implement the processing of applications submitted by victims of auto/catalytic converter thefts in Colorado. Each applicant is paired with an advocate to ensure the application is accurate and required documents are attached. Applications go directly to the advocate who starts the process by creating a folder for each applicant. Advocates ensure that each applicant meets the minimum qualifications to be eligible for funding consideration. In cases where the victim qualifies to rent a vehicle, the advocate will work with Hertz or Enterprise Car Rentals to set up the rental, ensure the victim has insurance coverage and will assist in the final billing process when the rental car has been returned.

The advocate works with applicants by phone, email or U.S. mail on a weekly basis to ensure proper documents are uploaded to the application for processing. Applicants are notified if they met eligibility requirements and are advised if funds will be awarded based on their application request. The advocate is responsible to enter the application information and communications with the victim into the Master MVT spreadsheet. Statistical data is entered and retrieved weekly/monthly/quarterly for grant reporting purposes.

Victim Rights Act Training and Implementation
Researches, designs, organizes and evaluates comprehensive training programs, ensuring proficiency, and uniformity. Ensures training documentation and operational procedures are in compliance with agency policies and standards. As the agency's work lead subject matter expert, establish guidelines for the training program to provide effectiveness and recommendations to the unit director. Acts as a liaison between the Victim Services Unit (VSU) with Colorado State Troopers and other law enforcement agencies. Teach required four-hour POST course titled, “Victim Rights” to cadets and communication officer new hires.

Once it is determined an incident falls under the guidelines of VRA, advocates provide comprehensive services to ensure the Colorado State Patrol is in complete compliance with the Colorado Constitution. Advocates generate communication to victims, witnesses, family members and additional governmental entities with notifications and supporting documentation on the critical stages of the criminal justice process, ensuring a transparent transition from the Colorado State Patrol. Advocates strategically compile case information which is forwarded to the appropriate governmental authority.

Statistical Reporting
Researches, analyzes, and generates appropriate documentation to compile statistics for entry into the victim database, as required by grant funding sources. Statistics are broken down into the types of services provided based on services rendered. As a lead, advocates are responsible for statistical reporting for the services provided statewide.

NOTE: To be considered for this position, you must meet one of the following options for consideration.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS A combination of related education and/or relevant full-time professional experience with victim advocacy organizations or through related work with social services agencies, policy stations, legal offices, courts, hospitals, shelters and/or non-profit groups equal to five (5) years.

OR

Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution in any field and at least one (1) year of relevant full-time professional experience with victim advocacy organizations or through related work with social services agencies, policy stations, legal offices, courts, hospitals, shelters and/or non-profit groups.

*Must reside in one of these counties at the time of hire: Adams, Arapahoe, Douglas, Larimer or Weld and must show proof of this residency.

SUBSTITUTIONS
Additional appropriate experience will substitute for the degree requirement on a year-for-year basis.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Bilingual in English and Spanish.
• Specialized experience in victim assistance and working in a law enforcement or victim service agency.
• Previous experience working with crime victims in compliance with Colorado's Victim Rights Act.
• Knowledge of relevant statutes and expertise covering all areas of the criminal justice system.
• Experience performing direct client services and/or program development functions.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

• Primary work will be in the office, with a potential for a flexible work arrangement with a combination of in-office workdays and remote work.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

• Must be a Colorado resident at the time of application.
• Must have a valid Colorado Driver's license. This position is required to drive a state owned vehicle across the state to crash scenes.
• Must be willing and able to travel.
• This position is requires on-call status. Must be available for call-out to crash scenes in need of victim assistance.
• Requires successful completion of a background investigation that includes a polygraph exam, a fingerprint based criminal history search and drug testing.

SUBSTITUTIONS
Additional appropriate experience will substitute for the degree requirement on a year-for-year basis.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Bilingual in English and Spanish.
• Specialized experience in victim assistance and working in a law enforcement or victim service agency.
• Previous experience working with crime victims in compliance with Colorado's Victim Rights Act.
• Knowledge of relevant statutes and expertise covering all areas of the criminal justice system.
• Experience performing direct client services and/or program development functions.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

• Primary work will be in the office, with a potential for a flexible work arrangement with a combination of in-office workdays and remote work.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

• Must be a Colorado resident at the time of application.
• Must have a valid Colorado Driver's license. This position is required to drive a state owned vehicle across the state to crash scenes.
• Must be willing and able to travel.
• This position is requires on-call status. Must be available for call-out to crash scenes in need of victim assistance.
• Requires successful completion of a background investigation that includes a polygraph exam, a fingerprint based criminal history search and drug testing.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $49,848.00 - $79,776.00 per year

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Monday to Friday

Work Location: Hybrid remote in Lakewood, CO 80215

Salary : $49,848 - $79,776