Victim Advocate-District Attorney's Office

Multnomah County • Portland, OR

1d • $30 - $37

About The Position

The Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office is seeking applications for Victim Advocates to join our team of dedicated professionals. The Multnomah County District Attorney's Office is considered one of the nation’s leaders in innovative specialty court programs. We strive for a fair, open and just system that promotes public safety through effective prosecution. The Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office is committed to the open and balanced administration of justice – one that honors and respects diversity in all of its forms. MCDA is committed to full implementation of Victims’ Rights as embodied in Oregon law. Your role as a Victim Advocate is to ensure crime victims are informed and supported in the criminal and juvenile justice system. This will be done in a professional, meaningful way to accord them due dignity and respect. You will provide advocacy assisting crime victims and family members through the aftermath of a crime, orienting them to the criminal justice system, keeping them informed and ensuring their rights are honored at every step of the process. You will be working collaboratively with our Deputy District Attorneys, law enforcement, system and community partners to improve access, coordinate services and create system improvements to support victims and survivors. These positions are typically Monday through Friday from either 8:00am to 4:30pm or 8:30 am to 5:00 pm, as assigned by the Supervisor. 8:00am to 5:00pm with an hour-long lunch is also an option.

Requirements

• Associate degree from an accredited college or university with course work in social work, psychology, sociology, criminal justice, or a related field.
• (1) to four (4) years of experience that demonstrates the ability to perform the duties of the position. (Equivalency 3-6 years of qualifying training and/or experience).
• Ability to work with people in crisis and understand the impacts of trauma, abuse and vicarious trauma.
• Experience working with high level confidential information.
• Ability to organize, prioritize and manage multiple tasks to meet deadlines.
• Ability to work together as a team, collaborating and covering for coworkers.
• Flexible and able to work well under pressure with time sensitivity.
• Ability to promote a culture of respect, inclusiveness, and appreciation of diverse perspectives, backgrounds, and values.

Nice To Haves

• Advanced understanding of cultures, customs and social experiences of communities experiencing marginalization and barriers to opportunity, and the ability to apply this to program and system practices.
• Bilingual skill in Spanish is preferred.
• Knowledge of resources and agencies that support victims/survivors.
• Experience providing direct services to victims of crime and/or knowledge of victim advocacy, criminal justice procedures, or victim rights under Oregon law.
• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with course work in criminal justice, social work, psychology, sociology, or a related field.

Responsibilities

• Provide orientation to the criminal justice system, investigation process, and post-conviction systems.
• Prepare and accompany victims to court hearings, law enforcement interviews, and other related meetings.
• Explain complex processes in a trauma-informed manner that allows victims to make informed decisions, including applicable rights and options for exercising their rights.
• Assist victims with logistical issues to appear in court, such as transportation, interpreter services and childcare.
• Assist with applications for Crime Victims’ Compensation and the Address Confidentiality Program.
• Provide referrals to other resources.
• Assist with restitution.
• Assist victims/survivors in reporting new and historical crimes to law enforcement, documenting injuries.
• Provide crisis intervention and conduct safety-planning as needed. This could include but is not limited to: working with victims/survivors to create personal safety plans, assisting victims/survivors with information about protective orders, communicating needs and perspectives to prosecutors, pretrial release and probation departments to support victims exercising their rights, increasing safety and keeping them informed.
• Provide notice to victims of crime about their rights as soon as practicable.
• Explain how to request specific rights and document all rights asserted.
• Provide information and options for exercising rights at each stage of the criminal justice process. This includes providing information about post-conviction systems and notifications.
• Keep victims up to date on case status.
• Monitor cases for any qualifying action or hearing and provide timely notification over the phone, in person or in writing as appropriate.
• Communicate with the prosecutor and all appropriate parties, information about victim participation, needs, accommodations, statements to the court and rights asserted.
• Provide information about victim impact statements and other opportunities to address the court.
• Establish and maintain accurate and current contact information for victims including alternate contacts.
• Assisting in the design and delivery of training, community outreach, and education for internal and external partners, members of the public and victims of crime.
• Participate in volunteer training and on-going volunteer meetings.
• Provide feedback and attend victim services meetings/work groups; contribute to system improvements to better serve victims/survivors.
• Complete required training including but not limited to State Victim Assistance Academy, Crime Victims’ Compensation Program, Address Confidentiality Program and Sexual Assault Victim Advocacy trainings.
• Update computerized case tracking system.
• Maintain records, accurate case notes, data entry and communicate relevant case information.
• Submit memorandum of activities and statistics for grant reports or court hearings as requested.

Benefits

• Health insurance (medical, dental, vision, Rx through Moda or Kaiser Permanente).
• Public Employees Retirement Service (PERS) Pension Plan
• Generous paid leave.
• Life insurance, short-term and long-term disability insurance.
• Optional deferred compensation and flexible spending accounts.
• Access to a free TriMet bus pass.
• Wellness resources.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: Associate degree