Victim Advocate - Grant Funded Position

City of Colorado Springs • Colorado Springs, CO

7d • Onsite

About The Position

The Victim Advocate provides direct services to victims and witnesses encountered by the Colorado Springs Police Department (CSPD). The role coordinates crisis intervention, assesses victims’ and witnesses’ needs, determines appropriate assistance, and provides referrals and follow-up. This is a special, at-will position funded by a grant. Grant renewal is anticipated, but continued funding is not guaranteed.

The position provides immediate on-call crisis intervention and emotional support, including after-hours and weekend callouts on a rotating basis. It involves reviewing case reports and contacting victims, offering ongoing support, coordinating services with criminal justice and community-based programs, informing victims of their rights, helping with compensation applications, providing referrals for long-term assistance, and sharing case-status updates. The advocate also maintains contact data for tracking and grant reporting and assists with grant applications and reports.

Work is primarily in an office, with travel to crime scenes and other locations. The role may involve exposure to unpleasant crime-scene conditions and inclement or extreme weather. It requires fieldwork and in-person crisis intervention, including driving a government vehicle at night and in inclement weather.

Applicants must have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university, with major coursework in a related field, and one year of full-time professional experience in a related field. Relevant work experience may substitute for required education, and directly related academic coursework beyond the minimum may substitute for professional experience. A valid, non-probationary Colorado driver’s license is required or must be obtained upon hire and maintained. The job offer is contingent on completion of an extensive background investigation and other pre-employment assessments.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in a related field; criminal justice, behavioral science, or social science is preferred.
• One year of full-time professional experience in a related field.
• Possess, or obtain upon hire, and maintain a valid, non-probationary Colorado driver’s license not subject to restrictions related to alcohol or drug violations or pending charges.
• One year of relevant work experience may substitute for one year of required education.
• One year of academic coursework directly related to the position beyond the minimum education requirement may substitute for one year of required professional experience.
• Knowledge of the Colorado Crime Victim Rights Act and the criminal justice system.
• Knowledge of community resources for crime victims.
• Knowledge of modern office procedures and equipment, including computers and supporting software, especially Microsoft Word, Excel, Access, and Outlook.
• Knowledge of proper English usage, grammar, spelling, and punctuation, and internet usage.
• Strong crisis intervention and teamwork skills.
• Ability to communicate clearly and concisely, verbally and in writing.
• Ability to establish and maintain positive, productive working relationships with coworkers and internal and external partners.
• Ability to cope with emotional and stressful situations and make sound decisions.
• Ability to drive a government vehicle at night and during inclement weather.
• Successful completion of an extensive background investigation, including a polygraph examination, background check, fingerprinting, criminal history check, and other pre-employment assessments.
• Applicants who have used marijuana or CBD products within three months before submitting their application are not eligible for hire.
• Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis; the City does not sponsor work visas.

Nice To Haves

• Proficiency in spoken and written Spanish.
• Experience working with victims of violent crime in a criminal justice setting.
• Experience demonstrating strong knowledge of victims’ rights and the criminal justice system.
• Basic Advocate Certification through the Colorado Organization for Victim Assistance.
• Experience working with victims of violent crime, crisis intervention experience, or specialized training from a law enforcement agency in victim advocacy is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Provide immediate on-call crisis intervention and emotional support to crime victims as needed on a 24-hour basis.
• Review case reports to identify crime victims and contact them to offer services.
• Provide comprehensive follow-up support services for crime victims.
• Coordinate services with criminal justice and community-based programs to facilitate a seamless transition for victims.
• Ensure victims are aware of their rights under the Colorado Victim Rights Act.
• Assist victims with applications for crime victim compensation, when applicable.
• Provide information and referrals to resources for victims’ long-term assistance.
• Inform victims of case status through the initial phases of the investigation, including case filing by the District Attorney’s Office or CSPD’s final decision not to file charges.
• Maintain data on victim contacts for tracking and grant reporting.
• Assist with grant applications and reports.
• Conduct fieldwork and provide direct, in-person crisis intervention services to victims of violent crime.
• Work rotating on-call assignments for after-hours and weekend callouts.

Benefits

• Additional compensation may be available depending on the position, assignment, and specific job duties, including shift differential, pay differential, acting or lead pay, special assignment pay, hazard pay, longevity pay, cell phone allowance, uniform allowance, relocation, awards, standby, call out, compensatory time off, tuition, overtime, extra duty, incentive pay, holiday premium, proficiency pay, and vacation sell back.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level