Victim Advocate I/II - District Attorney's Office (Open and Promotional)

Challenge yourself to make a positive impact on your community and support victims of crime!

The County of San Mateo District Attorney's office is looking for passionate individuals that value diversity to join their existing team of dedicated experts in providing support and advocacy to victims of crime. As a Victim Advocate working in the criminal justice system, you will have an exceptional opportunity to make a positive impact in the community.
  
The District Attorney's Office Victim Services Division assists victims of crimes and/or their families in dealing with the financial and emotional aftermath of crime. Under general supervision, the incumbent will:

• Provide all mandatory and optional services per CA PC 13835.5, including assessing and coordinating the needs of crime victim/witnesses.

• Inform, update, and support victims/witnesses throughout the criminal justice process.

• Assist victims/witnesses with requesting criminal restitution; provide public presentations to a variety of audiences on victim related topics. 

• Perform related work as required.  

To learn more about the District’s Attorney’s Office please visit: https://da.smcgov.org.
  
Victim Advocate I ($34.04-$42.51/hr.) is the first level classification in the series. Initially under close supervision, incumbents learn the duties associated with the position and the client population served. Incumbents receive on-the-job, State-mandated, and other victim advocacy trainings. As experience is gained, there is greater independence of action within established guidelines. This class is flexibly staffed with II-level and incumbents may advance to the higher level after meeting the qualifications of the higher-level class.
  
Victim Advocate II ($40.15-$50.21/hr.) is advanced journey-level classification and incumbents perform advanced victim/witness advocacy work. Employees in this class have completed the State-mandated course requirements for entry-level and have performed victim advocacy work for a total of three years.
  
In addition to possessing a bachelor’s degree with a major in criminal justice, social welfare, behavioral science, or a related field, the ideal candidate for this position will have the following essential experience, demonstrated knowledge, skills, and/or abilities:

• Criminal law, sentencing structure and restitution.
• Victim's rights, crisis intervention techniques and trauma informed care principles.
• Mandated reporting laws and confidentiality laws.
• Basic principles and practices of case management.
• Write clear, concise, and comprehensive case notes and reports.
• Maintain accurate statistical data records.
• Speak, read, and write fluently in Spanish. (Desired, but not required)

There are currently two vacancies in the District Attorney's Office Victim Services Division. As needed, Victim Advocates may be required to perform work offsite or in our branch offices in San Mateo and South San Francisco.
 
NOTE: The eligible list generated from this recruitment may be used to fill future extra-help, term, unclassified, and regular classified vacancies.

Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Respond to inquiries and requests from victims and witnesses of crime.
• Conduct interviews with victims and witnesses of crime to assess needs and promptly take appropriate action.
• Provide crisis intervention, follow-up counseling, and emotional support.
• Arrange for emergency assistance.
• Refer victims to counseling resources and other support groups.
• Provide assistance to victims applying for victim compensation.
• Provide information about the criminal justice processes.
• Provide information to victims about the status or disposition of the criminal case in which they are involved.
• Establish and maintain collaborative relationships with prosecuting attorneys, law enforcement, and other community-based agencies.
• Provide court accompaniment and assist victims in the preparation of victim impact statements.
• Provide assistance with the submission of documents for restitution and provide information regarding collecting restitution.
• Maintain accurate daily statistics of activities and services.
• Prepare correspondence and other reports as required.
• Provide informational presentations to criminal justice agencies, victim services organizations, and the public on victim related topics.
• May be called to respond in the field in the event of a community crisis.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Any combination of education and experience that would likely provide the required knowledge and skills is qualifying.
  
A typical way to qualify for:

• District Attorney Victim Advocate I – A bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with a major in social welfare, behavioral science, or a related field and two years of experience in providing community services of an emergency, remedial, and/or educational nature to victimized and/or disadvantaged individuals.
• District Attorney Victim Advocate II – Three years of experience as a victim/witness advocate in the District Attorney's Office is required.
   

License: This position requires possession of a class C California driver license or equivalent.

Open & Promotional. Anyone may apply. Current County of San Mateo and County of San Mateo Superior Court of California employees with at least six months (1040 hours) of continuous service in a classified regular, probationary, extra-help/limited term positions prior to the final filing date will receive five points added to their final passing score
 
The examination process will consist of an application screening (weight: Pass/Fail) based on the candidates' application and responses to the supplemental questions. Candidates who pass the application screening will be invited to a panel interview (weight: 100%). Depending on the number of applicants, an application appraisal of education and experience may be used in place of other examinations or further evaluation of work experience may be conducted to group applicants by level of qualification. 

All applicants who meet the minimum qualifications are not guaranteed advancement through any subsequent phase of the examination. All examinations will be given in San Mateo County, California and applicants must participate at their own expense. 
 
IMPORTANT: Applications for this position will only be accepted online. If you are currently on the County's website, you may click the "Apply" button. If you are not on the County's website, please go to https://jobs.smcgov.org/ to apply. 

Responses to the supplemental questions on the online application must be provided. A resume will not be accepted as a substitute for the required employment application and supplemental questionnaire. Online applications must be received by the Human Resources Department before the final filing date. 

TENTATIVE RECRUITMENT SCHEDULE

Final Filing Date: May 8, 2025, by 11:59 p.m. PST
Application Screening:  Week of May 12, 2025
Panel Interviews: Week of May 26, 2025, or the Week of June 2, 2025
 
About the County

San Mateo County is centrally located between San Francisco, San Jose, and the East Bay. With over 750,000 residents, San Mateo is one of the largest and most diverse counties in California and serves a multitude of culturally, ethnically, and linguistically diverse communities. 

The County of San Mateo is committed to advancing equity to ensure that all employees are welcomed in a safe and inclusive environment. The County seeks to hire, support, and retain employees who reflect our diverse community. We encourage applicants with diverse backgrounds and lived experiences to apply. Eighty percent of employees surveyed stated that they would recommend the County as a great place to work.

The County of San Mateo is an equal opportunity employer committed to fostering diversity, equity and inclusion at all levels.

HR Contact: Chet Overstreet (04252025) (District Attorney's Office Victim Advocate I/II - G111/G114)

Salary : $70,803 - $104,437