Supervising Victim Assistance Advocate

County of Monterey•Salinas, CA

6d•Onsite

About The Position

The Monterey County District Attorney’s Office is hiring a full-time Supervising Victim Assistance Advocate. The position supervises the day-to-day operations of the Victims Unit and assists with coordinating, implementing, and monitoring programs for victims and witnesses of violent crime. Within legislative mandates, the role helps provide qualifying victims and witnesses with financial assistance and emotional support for losses resulting from crime. It also works to increase awareness among criminal justice personnel and the community of victims’ and witnesses’ needs. The position is primarily based in King City and co-located with other County offices. The successful candidate must complete a background investigation, possess a valid California Class C driver license and maintain a satisfactory driving record or provide approved suitable transportation, and obtain an Advanced Victim Assistance Advocate Certificate within six months of placement. The employee must be available to work a flexible schedule, including evenings, weekends, holidays, and during disasters or emergencies, and to travel outside the County for meetings.

Requirements

Any combination of training, education, and/or experience that provides the required knowledge, skills, abilities, and conditions of employment.
Three years of experience performing duties equivalent to those of a Victim Assistance Advocate for the County of Monterey.
Coursework leading to a bachelor’s degree in public administration, social services, business administration, education, or a related field.
Successfully complete a background investigation, including fingerprint and DMV checks.
Possess a valid California Class C driver license at appointment and maintain a satisfactory driving record, or provide evidence of suitable transportation approved by the appointing authority.
Obtain an Advanced Victim Assistance Advocate Certificate within six months of placement, pursuant to Penal Code Section 13835.10.
Be available to work a flexible schedule, including evenings, weekends, holidays, and during disasters or emergencies, and travel outside the County to attend meetings.
Knowledge of interviewing and referral counseling principles and techniques; Victim/Witness Assistance Program laws, regulations, policies, and processes; legal terminology and documents used in victim and witness assistance; and the criminal justice system and District Attorney’s Office.
Some knowledge of supervision and training principles and techniques, the use of data processing in office operations, and grant proposal preparation.
Ability to plan, prioritize, coordinate, and evaluate staff work; train, counsel, and advise staff; read, explain, and apply relevant laws, regulations, and policies; support victims in complex and sensitive cases and make appropriate community referrals; use a computer to input, access, and analyze data; draw logical conclusions and recommend effective action; communicate orally and in writing; provide courteous customer service; and establish effective working relationships with clients, County and criminal justice staff, and other parties.

Nice To Haves

Ability to speak, read, and write in Spanish.

Responsibilities

Assist in selecting staff and volunteers; monitor, review, evaluate, and supervise staff work; and assist in developing and maintaining ongoing in-service training.
Assist with planning, organizing, coordinating, and delivering services to victims and witnesses of crime through subordinate staff.
Recommend and draft program policies and procedures and, upon approval, implement them.
Analyze and monitor compliance with existing and proposed legislation, regulations, policies, and procedures, and ensure legislative mandates are met.
Assist with grant preparation and monitor grant funds received from the Office of Criminal Justice Planning.
Review and approve claims submitted by advocates on behalf of witnesses and review program applications prepared for submission to the Victim of Crime Program.
Supervise claims processing for victims of violent crimes.
Provide crisis intervention and assistance to victims and witnesses experiencing severe emotional stress.
Provide staff with technical guidance on victim/witness assistance and applicable laws and regulations.
Oversee subordinate staff to ensure effective and efficient daily operations, including timely processing of a large volume of subpoenas.
Resolve routine complaints and problems and refer more complex or politically sensitive matters to the Victim Witness/Assistance Program Manager.
Prepare reports and correspondence and assist with developing brochures and training materials.