Victim Advocate Supervisor

City of Seattle•Seattle, WA

1d•$49 - $57•Onsite

About The Position

The City of Seattle Human Services Department (HSD) is seeking a Victim Advocate Supervisor for the Safe and Thriving Communities Division, Crime Survivor Services (CSS) Unit. CSS provides systems-based advocacy and trauma response services to victims, survivors, and families impacted by crime and violence. The CSS Unit includes Crime Victim Advocates, who are co-located with Seattle Police Department investigative units, and the Victim Support Team, a volunteer trauma response program. Crime Victim Advocates work with survivors of felony crimes including domestic violence, stalking, sexual assault, sexual exploitation, human trafficking, internet crimes against children, child abuse, violent crime, and with family members of homicide victims. Advocates work closely with detectives, prosecutors, courts, and community-based providers to help ensure survivors are informed, supported, connected to resources, and able to exercise their rights throughout the criminal legal process. This position will supervise assigned Crime Victim Advocate teams within the CSS Unit, with an anticipated initial focus on the Domestic Violence and Violent Crimes Unit advocacy portfolios. Final portfolio assignment may be adjusted based on unit needs, staffing transitions, and the skills and experience of the selected candidate. This position reports to the Crime Survivor Services Manager. If selected, candidates for this position must pass an SPD civilian background check to be eligible for employment.

Requirements

Baccalaureate degree in counseling, social work, one of the social sciences or a related field.
An emphasis in criminology or the criminal justice system is preferred.
4 years of increasingly responsible experience in the social service field dealing with the criminal justice system, or working with victimized populations, including direct management of individual cases.
At least one year of the work was performed at a lead or supervisory level.
A current Washington State driver's license or evidence of equivalent mobility.
An SPD background check will be required for candidates selected for this position.
Demonstrated commitment to race and social justice.
Commitment to ongoing cultural humility, equity, and social justice work within the Human Services Department.
Ability to maintain security, confidentiality, and discretion at all times.
Ability to shift priorities based on workload, urgency, staff capacity, case needs, and partner demands.
Ability to create a positive team culture where staff feel supported, accountable, motivated, and connected to the purpose of their work.
Ability to communicate openly and transparently with staff, ensuring clear expectations, role clarity, and shared understanding of team goals.
Ability to coach team members through conflict, stress, and complex professional dynamics.
Ability to establish clear direction, set meaningful objectives, and distribute workload appropriately.
Commitment to modeling and mentoring healthy personal and professional boundaries.
Enthusiasm for implementing concrete strategies to reduce secondary traumatic stress and compassion fatigue.
Experience with data management, case tracking, documentation systems, or reporting tools.
Strong written and verbal communication skills.
Experience working with a wide range of personalities and professionals, including individuals from different racial, economic, and cultural backgrounds.
Ability to coach, mentor, and empower staff with varying levels of experience.
Excellent attention to detail and strong organizational skills.
Analytical and critical thinking skills, including the ability to assess risk, make decisions, initiate action, and identify when issues require escalation.

Nice To Haves

Knowledgeable of trauma informed, victim advocacy strategies and the principles and processes of emotional and mental support that respects survivor autonomy and confidentiality.
Knowledge of the King County Court system, the Seattle Municipal Court system, and the ability to work collaboratively with professionals within the criminal justice system including detectives, prosecutors, police officers, and advocates.
Knowledge of criminal laws and processes as they relate to commercial sexual exploitation, domestic violence, sexual assault, and violent crime.
Knowledgeable of WA state crime victims bill of rights.
Knowledge and understanding of issues and dynamics relating to violent crimes including, but not limited to: gender-based violence, coercive control, poverty, homelessness, drug abuse and addiction, domestic violence, mental health disorders, sexual abuse and systemic oppression
Experience working with and listening to the needs of the BIPOC community.
Persistent and diplomatic in encouraging organized case management and work product.

Responsibilities

Provide direct supervision, coaching, consultation, and operational oversight to Crime Survivor Services Victim Advocates who serve as liaisons between crime victims, survivors, families, and the criminal legal system.
Support consistent advocacy practice across assigned crime types; ensures timely communication regarding court proceedings, victim rights, safety planning, and available resources; and strengthens coordination between advocates, detectives, prosecutors, courts, and community-based service providers.
Ensure that advocates are equipped with current best practices in crime victim advocacy, trauma-informed care, survivor-centered communication, race and social justice principles, documentation standards, and case management procedures.
Work closely with Seattle Police Department investigative units, King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office staff, City Attorney’s Office staff, community partners, and HSD leadership to support coordinated, responsive, and survivor-centered services.
Directly supervise and support assigned Crime Survivor Services Victim Advocates, who provide direct services to crime victims, survivors, and families impacted by domestic violence, violent crime, homicide, child abuse, elder abuse, sexual assault, hate crimes, human trafficking, commercial sexual exploitation, and internet crimes against children.
Provide weekly or bi-weekly individual supervision to assigned advocates, with frequency based on staff experience, training needs, workload, and case complexity.
Facilitate team meetings, case staffings, reflective supervision spaces, and debriefing opportunities for assigned teams.
Monitor advocate workload, performance, documentation, and case management practices to ensure timely, consistent, and survivor-centered service delivery.
Establish employee goals and conduct annual employee performance reviews.
Participate in hiring, onboarding, and initial training for new CSS staff.
Approve and track scheduling changes, sick time, and PTO for assigned advocates.
Work with the CSS Manager to address employee conflicts, performance concerns, workload issues, and team culture needs.
Support staff wellness, trauma stewardship, and concrete strategies to reduce the impact of secondary traumatic stress and compassion fatigue.
Provide leadership that encourages open communication, staff development, accountability, healthy boundaries, professional growth, survivor empowerment, and a shared vision of public safety rooted in care and justice.
Support advocates in managing complex victim and survivor needs, including safety planning, systems navigation, court support, crisis response, resource connection, and ongoing communication with detectives and prosecutors.
Ensure adequate case coverage during staff absences, vacancies, extended leave, or periods of high workload, including providing ongoing direct case management support when needed.
Center survivor agency, dignity, safety, confidentiality, and self-determination as core principles of advocacy within the criminal legal system.
Ensure advocacy services are trauma-informed, culturally responsive, and grounded in race and social justice principles.
Support development and refinement of team procedures, documentation standards, case management tools, and communication protocols.
Supervise advocates assigned to felony domestic violence cases and related court processes.
Support coordination with the Seattle Police Department Domestic Violence Unit, King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, City Attorney’s Office, courts, and community-based domestic violence providers.
Participate in regular DV staffings, prosecution meetings, partner meetings, and other case coordination spaces.
Oversee domestic violence case management workflows, including SharePoint or other documentation systems.
Support implementation and improvement of first appearance notification, automation, and victim communication processes.
Help ensure victims and survivors receive timely information regarding case status, hearings, release conditions, protection orders, no-contact orders, and available advocacy support.
Supervise advocates assigned to homicide, gun violence, assault, robbery, and other violent crime cases.
Support advocates who work with victims, surviving family members, next of kin, and witnesses impacted by serious violence.
Coordinate with detectives, MDOP and Violent Crimes Unit King County prosecutors, and system partners to support timely victim communication and survivor-centered service delivery.
Participate in Violent Crimes Unit meetings, EPU staffings, prosecution meetings, and related case coordination spaces.
Support responses to high-profile, sensitive, or urgent cases involving homicide, gun violence, or significant community impact.
Assist with information requests, briefings, and case-related inquiries in coordination with the CSS Manager.
Serve as a liaison between CSS advocates and key system partners, including SPD, KCPAO, CAO, courts, and community-based organizations.
Build and maintain strong working relationships while preserving the independent, survivor-centered role of advocacy.
Communicate staffing changes, protocol changes, workflow updates, and case coordination needs to key system partners.
Work closely with SPD investigative sergeants, detectives, and command staff to coordinate case assignments, troubleshoot workflow issues, and foster a collaborative work environment for advocates.
Work closely with prosecution partners to strengthen victim communication, case coordination, and access to advocacy support.
Foster partnerships with community-based agencies to stay current on resources, increase opportunities for collaboration, and better meet survivor needs.
Participate in task forces, multidisciplinary meetings, partner meetings, and community stakeholder conversations to ensure survivor needs and perspectives are considered in systems-level decision-making.
Conduct needs assessments and evaluates advocacy services to determine unmet needs and opportunities for improvement.
Use technology and data systems to monitor case activity, troubleshoot workflow issues, gather statistical information, manage reporting mechanisms, identify efficiencies, and provide reports as needed.
Support continuous improvement of case management workflows, documentation practices, internal procedures, and partner communication protocols.
Identify and address barriers to service access for survivors, including older adults, people with limited English proficiency, refugees and immigrants, people with disabilities, people experiencing homelessness, and survivors impacted by systemic oppression.
Engage in system reform efforts that promote access to justice, survivor voice, and improved system response for crime survivors.
Arrange or support access to interpreter services and other accommodations as needed.
Promote advocacy practices that are culturally responsive, survivor-centered, trauma-informed, and grounded in race and social justice principles.
Support staff development through coaching, training, case consultation, and opportunities for professional growth.