Victim Advocate

Arizona Department of Administration • Phoenix, AZ

10d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Arizona Attorney General’s Office Criminal Division/Office of Victim Services Section is seeking a Victim Advocate. Under general or limited supervision, this position will perform case management, human service and administrative duties of moderate difficulty, assisting victims through the complex investigations & prosecutions of the Attorney General's Office. This includes conducting case management, providing quality trauma-informed crime victim services, handling complex cases such as multi-victim white collar crimes, elder exploitation, human trafficking, and appellate and death penalty cases, including victims' rights notification activities. The role also involves assisting victims with restitution claims, promoting victims' interests and participation in the criminal justice process, implementing program policies and procedures, reviewing and documenting case activity, serving as a resource on victims' rights issues, facilitating victim meetings, and acting as a liaison between the victim and the investigator, prosecutor, and community agencies statewide. Additionally, the position provides crisis counseling and intervention, follow-up services, referrals to community agencies, court orientation and escort, and personal and legal advocacy. The role ensures complete and accurate case documentation, assists in the selection, training, and monitoring of volunteer interns, provides coverage for other advocates, performs crisis response when applicable, and completes periodic assignments from management. This position may be eligible to work remotely up to two days a week based upon business needs and performance.

Requirements

• Considerable knowledge of the criminal justice system process, specifically relating to investigations, prosecutions and restitution.
• Basic knowledge of victims' rights laws, current state and federal laws and local social service agencies.
• Knowledge of principles and practices of case management and the effects of victimization, including the social, emotional, physical and financial effects.
• Knowledge of standard crisis models and application.
• Knowledge of computers, Microsoft Office software and the ability to generate word processing documents.
• Ability to effectively interpret program policies, procedures, rules and regulations.
• Ability to analyze, act on and interpret information from various sources and evaluate cases and make appropriate decisions.
• Ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships with members of the justice communities.
• Ability to maintain effective interpersonal relationship with victims in stressful and demanding situations.
• Effective oral and written communication skills.
• Empathetic listening.
• Case management skills.
• Effective training and presentation skills.
• Exceptional organizational and time management skills that will benefit them when working with interruptions, working against stringent deadlines and having to adapt to changing priorities.
• Initiative and self-drive to develop and present ideas for effective implementation of the program and its procedures.
• Ability to learn how to plan, coordinate, and prioritize work activities for self and employ problem-solving methods.
• Ability to perform detailed work with a high degree of accuracy.
• Ability to write and communicate in an effective manner.
• Ability to edit and review materials for clarity and certainty.
• Ability to exercise good judgment in safeguarding sensitive and confidential information.
• Ability to work with the public.
• Ability to grasp points being made by others, oral or written.
• Ability to organize high-volume victim cases.
• Ability to produce complete, accurate and factual case notes and case summaries.
• Ability to prepare letters, memorandum and e-mail effectively.
• Travel is required for this position.
• A valid Arizona Driver’s License is required, along with consent to have your driving record run periodically.
• All applicants under serious consideration for hire with the Attorney General's Office are required to be fingerprinted by the Office and complete a criminal background check through State and Federal agencies.
• Must successfully complete the Electronic Employment Eligibility Verification Program (E-Verify).

Nice To Haves

• Bachelor of Arts or a Bachelor of Science degree from an accredited university with an emphasis on social science and/or criminal justice
• Three-five years of experience in victim services or a related field.

Responsibilities

• Contact victims by phone or in writing to provide mandated victims' rights and non-mandated services; receive victims' calls; assess victims' needs and concerns; describe program services; explain victims' rights, pre-trial proceedings; accompany victims to court proceedings, interviews, etc.; refer victims for services available throughout community agencies; provide emotional support and empathetic listening; explain status and disposition of victim cases.
• Assist victims in compilation of restitution claims, including assisting with paperwork; assist with completion of victim impact statements; intervene on victims' behalf with employers, creditors and landlords; provide other forms of specialized assistance to victims.
• Promote advocacy and best practices for service to victims by working closely with case agents and prosecutors to strengthen program within the Special Investigations Section (SIS) and understand the dynamics of a law enforcement culture; partner with prosecution teams to ensure effective case management and advocacy; ensure victims' rights compliance within caseload.
• Case Management: examine and review documents, case records, incoming correspondence, memoranda and evaluate appropriate actions to be taken, including formulating responses and conferring with supervisor for advice. Confer with agents, attorneys and victim service experts in order to broaden knowledge, acquire specific information or obtain advice on victims' rights and victim assistance. Attend workshops and training sessions to improve working knowledge and skills.
• Respond to cold calls/emails from members of the public. Responsibilities include providing services to constituents such as referrals to community agencies for assistance, referrals to law enforcement agencies and internal referrals. When called upon, will provide crisis response in conjunction with AGO requests.
• Assist with training and educating volunteer/intern advocates who participate in the Office of Victim Services volunteer intern program. Functions include recruiting and screening of applicants, training on the legal justice system, scheduling, accompany interns/volunteers on scheduled tours, promoting attendance to various trainings and evaluating volunteer performance.
• Participate in and contribute to advocate and staff meetings; review and suggest updates to modify program policies and procedures; conducts New Employee Orientation training for new AGO staff on a rotating basis; complete work assignments and duties of other staff specialists in their absence.
• Produce and maintain monthly stats to reflect services provided to victims identified in AGO cases, including statistics on mandated and non-mandates services provided, number of victims in each case, number of contacts made with justice practitioners, etc.
• Other duties as assigned as related to the position.

Benefits

• Student Loan Assistance
• Sick leave
• Paid Parental Leave-Up to 12 weeks per year paid leave for newborn or newly-placed foster/adopted child (pilot program)
• Vacation with 10 paid holidays per year
• Health and dental insurance
• Retirement plan
• Life insurance and long-term disability insurance
• Optional employee benefits include short-term disability insurance, deferred compensation plans, and supplemental life insurance
• Positions in this classification participate in the Arizona State Retirement System (ASRS). Enrollment eligibility will become effective after 27 weeks of employment.

What This Job Offers

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