District Attorney'S Office - Victim Advocate

County of El Paso•Tx 79901, TX

7d•Onsite

About The Position

The Victim Advocate works under general direction assists victims with services in stabilizing their lives after victimization, processing them through the criminal justice system, and providing victims with safety and security. The role involves monitoring and assisting victims with service providers, responding to their emotional and physical needs, providing crisis intervention, advising them of available services and assistance programs, and guiding them through the criminal justice system. The advocate also assists attorneys and investigators, maintains statistical data, and collaborates with community support services. Additionally, the position involves conducting presentations, providing bi-lingual translation, answering a dedicated phone line, assisting walk-ins, and potentially performing disaster service worker duties during emergencies.

Requirements

Associate Degree in Psychology, Sociology or Social Sciences is preferred with three (3) years of experience in victim services; Or any equivalent combination of experience and training which provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.
Must have or obtain by date of hire a valid driver's license applicable to job responsibilities, with a driving record acceptable to the County of El Paso.
A personal mobile smart device is required by the hire start date to access the County’s network and systems.
Knowledge of Crime Victim's Rights Bill under the Texas Code of Criminal Procedures Chapter 56.
Knowledge of victims' rights, protective orders, the judicial system, individual, family and group casework theory and techniques.
Knowledge of interviewing techniques and victim compensation programs.
Knowledge of service providers in the Community that will assist victims, and resources of support to promote long term success by helping the victims stabilize their living environment.
Knowledge of office practices and procedures.
Knowledge of the use and care of office equipment.
Knowledge of the methods and techniques of public contact.
Knowledge of procedures and methods including computer keyboard operation.
Knowledge of English usage, grammar, punctuation and spelling.
Knowledge of techniques for effective interpersonal communications.
Ability to work effectively in a multi-cultural environment with victims, staff and support agencies.
Ability to initiate, cultivate, and sustain relationships with individuals and prospective partners from every strata of the community.
Ability to make independent decisions upon established office protocol.
Ability to speak, read and write in English.
Ability to use time effectively.
Ability to focus on details.
Ability to assess information for purposes of written and oral reports.
Ability to set priorities for a large workload.
Ability to make independent decisions when circumstances warrant such action.
Ability to relate to and work with emotionally upset and occasionally hostile people.
Ability to enter and retrieve data using computer systems and software, such as spreadsheets, word processing programs, database information.
Ability to handle high levels of stress.
Ability to present competence to perform and observe behavior.
Ability to establish and maintain cooperative and effective relationships with those contacted during the course of work.
Ability to speak effectively in English.
Demonstrate regular and reliable attendance.
Work well with others and participate fully in a team-oriented environment.
Interface with other employees and customers in a courteous and respectful manner.
Maintain strict confidentiality.
Project positive support of their department and all county organizations at all times.
Maintain and enhance the County's commitment to customer service excellence.

Nice To Haves

Preferred bi-lingual in Spanish.

Responsibilities

Monitors and assists victims to follow through on service providers to promote long term success and stabilize their living environment.
Responds to the emotional and physical needs of crime victims.
Provides crisis intervention and assistance to the victim and their family, advising them of available services and assistance programs.
Advises the crime victim and/or their family on the criminal justice system, their rights under the Crime Victim's Rights Bill, and accompanies victims to court as requested.
Assists victims with submission of paperwork.
Assists Attorneys and Investigators in interviewing victims and witnesses and coordinating appointments and trial appearances.
Maintains statistical data on the number of victims served, referrals, etc.
Accompanies crime victims or victim families to court and provides them with an orientation of the criminal justice system.
Maintains updated information of area agencies that provide victim services, counseling programs, emergency housing and shelter, and legal assistance.
Writes letters or otherwise makes referrals on behalf of the victim to obtain services related to the criminal incident.
Refers victims to community-based providers and monitors service engagement.
Provides supportive guidance and post-adjudication support and referrals.
Works with victims to link them to community-based providers.
Monitors quality and efficiency of services in gaining progress toward stated goals.
Maintains effective and timely communication with team members to facilitate service implementation.
Works with community support services to ensure linkage and communication.
Performs all client record documentation in a quality and timely manner.
Follows up on cases and data collection.
Evaluates activities in a timely manner.
Works as an integral member of the team in other program projects as needed.
Advocates on behalf of each victim.
Conducts presentations on awareness and community outreach programs.
Demonstrates respect and dignity towards team members and victims at all times.
Provides bi-lingual translation.
Assists prosecutors when providing pre-trials to victims and documents pre-trials.
Answers the dedicated phone line on a rotation basis.
Assists walk-ins, victims, and the public, and provides guidance.
Substitutes during temporary absences by performing delegated duties to maintain continuity of normal operations.
Commits to providing excellent customer service and demonstrates commitment through cooperative team and individual efforts.
Creates a high-quality work culture through participation in and emphasis on training and mentoring.
Performs other related duties as may be assigned.
May be required to travel to client homes for home visits, hospitals, jail, and supporting agencies as necessary.
As designated Disaster Service Workers, may be required to train on emergency response and/or perform certain emergency services during a proclaimed emergency.