What are the responsibilities and job description for the DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE - VICTIM ADVOCATE (GRANT FUNDED) position at County of El Paso?
*Please note the funds for this position are approved via a grant that is funded for only 3 years*
Acceptable Experience and Education
Associate Degree in Psychology, Sociology or Social Sciences is preferred with three (3) years of experience in victim services (preferred).
Or any equivalent combination of experience and training which provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.
Certificates and Licenses Required
Must have or obtain by date of hire a valid driver's license applicable to job responsibilities, with a driving record acceptable to the County of El Paso.
Typical Duties
Monitors and assists the victims to follow through on service providers that have been identified as a source of support for them to help promote long term success and by helping them stabilize their living environment;
Responds to the emotional and physical needs of the crime victims;
Provides crisis intervention and assistance to the victim and their family and advising them of available services and assistance programs;
Advises the crime victim and/or their family on the criminal justice system, their rights under the Crime Victim's Rights Bill, and accompany victims to court, as requested;
Assists victims with submission of paperwork;
Assists Attorneys and Investigators in interviewing victims and witnesses and coordinating appointments and trial appearance;
Maintains statistical data on number of victims served, referrals, etc.;
Accompanies crime victims or victim families to court, and provides them with an orientation of the criminal justice system;
Maintains updated information of area agencies that provide victim services, counseling programs, emergency housing and shelter, and legal assistance;
Writes letters or otherwise makes referrals on behalf of the victim to obtain services related to the criminal incident;
Refers victims to community based providers and monitor service engagement;
Provides supportive guidance; provide post adjudication support and referrals;
Works with victims with regard to linking them to community based providers;
Monitors quality and efficiency of services in gaining progress toward stated goals;
Maintains effective and timely communication with team members to facilitate service implementation;
Works with community support services to ensure linkage and communication;
Performs all client record documentation in a quality and timely manner;
Follows up on cases, and data collection;
Evaluates activities in a timely manner;
Works as an integral member of team in other program projects as needed;
Advocates on behalf of each victim;
Conducts presentations on awareness and community outreach programs;
Demonstrates respect and dignity towards team members and victims at all times;
Provides bi-lingual translation;
Assists prosecutors when providing pre-trials to victims; documents pre-trials;
As assigned on a rotation basis to answers the dedicated phone line;
Assists walk-ins, victims and the public, and provides guidance;
Commits self to providing excellent customer service and demonstrate commitment through cooperative team and individual efforts; and
Creates a high quality work culture through participation in and emphasis on training and mentoring to develop leadership, management, and technical skills in self and all employees, including safety related training and skills.
Other Important Duties*
Performs such other related duties as may be assigned.
May be required to travel to client homes for home visits, hospitals, jail, supporting agencies as necessary.
As members of the County of El Paso Emergency Response System, all El Paso County employees are designated as Disaster Service Workers during a proclaimed emergency and may be required to train on emergency response and/or perform certain emergency services at the direction of their supervisor.
Summary of PositionResponds to the emotional and physical needs of the crime victims;
Provides crisis intervention and assistance to the victim and their family and advising them of available services and assistance programs;
Advises the crime victim and/or their family on the criminal justice system, their rights under the Crime Victim's Rights Bill, and accompany victims to court, as requested;
Assists victims with submission of paperwork;
Assists Attorneys and Investigators in interviewing victims and witnesses and coordinating appointments and trial appearance;
Maintains statistical data on number of victims served, referrals, etc.;
Accompanies crime victims or victim families to court, and provides them with an orientation of the criminal justice system;
Maintains updated information of area agencies that provide victim services, counseling programs, emergency housing and shelter, and legal assistance;
Writes letters or otherwise makes referrals on behalf of the victim to obtain services related to the criminal incident;
Refers victims to community based providers and monitor service engagement;
Provides supportive guidance; provide post adjudication support and referrals;
Works with victims with regard to linking them to community based providers;
Monitors quality and efficiency of services in gaining progress toward stated goals;
Maintains effective and timely communication with team members to facilitate service implementation;
Works with community support services to ensure linkage and communication;
Performs all client record documentation in a quality and timely manner;
Follows up on cases, and data collection;
Evaluates activities in a timely manner;
Works as an integral member of team in other program projects as needed;
Advocates on behalf of each victim;
Conducts presentations on awareness and community outreach programs;
Demonstrates respect and dignity towards team members and victims at all times;
Provides bi-lingual translation;
Assists prosecutors when providing pre-trials to victims; documents pre-trials;
As assigned on a rotation basis to answers the dedicated phone line;
Assists walk-ins, victims and the public, and provides guidance;
Commits self to providing excellent customer service and demonstrate commitment through cooperative team and individual efforts; and
Creates a high quality work culture through participation in and emphasis on training and mentoring to develop leadership, management, and technical skills in self and all employees, including safety related training and skills.
Other Important Duties*
Performs such other related duties as may be assigned.
May be required to travel to client homes for home visits, hospitals, jail, supporting agencies as necessary.
As members of the County of El Paso Emergency Response System, all El Paso County employees are designated as Disaster Service Workers during a proclaimed emergency and may be required to train on emergency response and/or perform certain emergency services at the direction of their supervisor.
The Victim Advocate works under general direction assists victims with services in stabilizing their lives after victimization, processing them through the criminal justice system, and providing victims with safety and security.
Organizational Relationships
Reports to: Attorney, Director/VOCA and Assistant Director
Directs: This is a none supervisory position.
Other: Has frequent contact with prosecutors, other county employees, general public and other law enforcement agencies and non-profit agencies that deal with victims.
Minimum Requirements: Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
Knowledge of: Crime Victim's Rights Bill under the Texas Code of Criminal Procedures Chapter 56; Victims' rights, protective orders, the judicial system, individual, family and group casework theory and techniques; interviewing techniques; and victim compensation programs; service providers in the Community that will assist victims, resources of support to promote long term success by helping the victims stabilize their living environment; office practices and procedures; the use and care of office equipment; the methods and techniques of public contact; procedures and methods including computer keyboard operation; English usage, grammar, punctuation and spelling; techniques for effective interpersonal communications. Skill/Ability to: work effectively in a multi cultural environment with victims, staff and support agencies; initiate, cultivate, and sustain relationships with individuals, and prospective partners from every strata of the community; work effectively in a multi cultural environment with victims, staff and support agencies; make independent decision upon established office protocol; speak, read and write in English; use time effectively; focus on details; assess information for purposes of written and oral reports; set priorities for a large workload; make independent decisions when circumstances warrant such action; relate to and work with emotionally upset and occasionally hostile people; enter and retrieve data using computer systems and
software, such as spreadsheets, word processing programs, database information; handle high level of stress; present competence to perform and observe behavior; establish and maintain cooperative and effective relationships with those contacted during the course of work; speak effectively in English; Preferred bi-lingual in Spanish.
Each and every county position requires the following professional skills and abilities as key and necessary elements of performance:
- Demonstrate regular and reliable attendance;
- Work well with others and participate fully in a team oriented environment;
- Interface with other employees and customers in a courteous and respectful manner;
- Maintain strict confidentiality;
- Project positive support of their department and all county organizations at all times; and,
- Maintain and enhance the County's commitment to customer service excellence
Salary : $46,719
