Victim Advocate

County of Santa Clara (CA)-posted about 1 month ago

Full-time • Entry Level

Santa Clara, CA

Executive, Legislative, and Other General Government Support

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Under general supervision, initially in a training capacity, to assess and coordinate the service needs of crime victims/witnesses to meet the clients' material, emotional, and informational needs; and to represent the Department in public presentations, community groups, and committees. The County of Santa Clara District Attorney's Office is recruiting for four (4) full-time Victim Advocate positions. These positions will have direct interactions with victims and witnesses of crime that may involve a degree of stress. Selected candidates must successfully pass a full background investigation prior to appointment. The following are the duties performed by employees in this classification. However, employees may perform other related duties at an equivalent level. Each individual in the classification does not necessarily perform all duties listed.

Conducts client interviews after they have experienced a violent and traumatic crime (at a safe location, outside of the office, if necessary) to assess clients' needs and promptly take appropriate action
Assists clients in completing required applications; aids in resolving inconsistencies or omissions of required information; makes contacts on behalf of clients
Arranges emergency assistance and provides follow-up counseling to assure victims' immediate needs are met; refers clients to counseling resources and other support groups, as needed
Provides crisis intervention, psychoeducation, response, and emotional support to victims of crime, including coping strategies and grounding techniques to promote wellness and recovery
Maintains clear and concise case notes, documenting all contacts, correspondence, and pertinent information, including grant-required documentation
Establishes and maintains working relationships with law enforcement and other community-based resource agencies and coordinates with partner agencies to provide outreach services
Communicates with caregivers, family members, or other parties of interest to secure or disseminate information
Incorporates information from relevant Federal, State, and local laws, policies, and procedures to develop and practice timely, accurate filing management while maintaining a large caseload
Assists clients in the preparation of victim impact statements and by providing notification of their case status and disposition
Explains the criminal justice system/court process in lay terms to clients
Accompanies clients to court hearings and provides emotional support to clients during trials in court
Attends trainings, conferences, hearings, workshops, and meetings
Compiles electronic records; submits mandated reports or other correspondence
Attends mandatory training sessions and workshops
May be required to assist with the response to a mass victimization event that may have resulted in injuries and/or deaths
May be assigned as a Disaster Service Worker (DSW), as required
Performs other related duties, as required

Sufficient education, training and experience to demonstrate the ability to perform the above tasks, plus the possession and direct application of the following knowledge and abilities:
Training and Experience Note: The required knowledge and abilities are attained through training and experience equivalent to sixty (60) semester units (ninety (90) quarter units) of college coursework. Relevant analytical, administrative, lead, supervisory, or management experience that includes interpreting rules and regulations, gathering data and formulating recommendations, and report writing can substitute for education on a year-for-year basis
One (1) year of full-time work experience providing services in a law enforcement agency, or providing peer counseling, assistance, and/or direct human services in a government and/or community-based organization serving disadvantaged or victimized individuals. Experience that includes interviewing clients, providing peer support, and managing a caseload is desirable.
Note: Twelve (12) semester units or eighteen (18) quarter units of college coursework in Social Sciences, Psychology, Criminal Justice, and/or related fields may substitute for the required work experience.
Must successfully complete required in-house and entry-level victim/witness advocacy training provided through the State of California Office of Emergency Services (CalOES) within one (1) year of appointment. If the CalOES training is not available within the first year of employment, the employee must successfully complete the first training available, or vacate the position.
Ability to travel to alternate locations in the course of work. If driving, possession of a valid California driver's license prior to appointment and the ability to qualify for and maintain a County driver authorization.
As a condition of employment, pursuant to California Government Code Sections 3100-3109 and Local Ordinance, all County of Santa Clara employees are designated Disaster Service Workers (DSWs), including extra help. A DSW is required to complete all assigned DSW-related training, and in the event of an emergency, return to work as ordered.
Methods of counseling and interacting effectively with diverse individuals in need and/or under great emotional stress
Interviewing techniques to elicit personal information
General goals of public assistance programs
Methods of organizing and compiling documents/files
Common computer systems and applications
Record keeping, case management, and report writing techniques
English usage, style, grammar, punctuation, and spelling.
Interview effectively to elicit personal information and assess clients' needs
Develop and maintain the confidence and cooperation of individuals from diverse circumstances and ethnic backgrounds
Maintain professional ethics and personal boundaries
Develop and maintain the confidence and cooperation of traumatized individuals from diverse circumstances and ethnic backgrounds
Interview crime victims/witnesses, which may involve graphic accounts of brutal crimes, assess their needs, and refer clients to appropriate community agencies
Provide trauma informed and culturally responsive services to crime victims and victims of mass violence
Learn, understand, and communicate to clients the criminal justice process, penal codes, and basic sentencing structure
Adhere to strict confidentiality guidelines, laws, and regulations
Understand and utilize trauma-informed care principles in client care and interviewing
Refer clients to relevant community and State resources, as needed
Review and evaluate data, weighing alternatives and determining the appropriate course of action
Learn and interpret relevant laws, policies, and procedures
Research, develop, and use community resources
Communicate effectively , both orally and in writing, with people of diverse backgrounds and cultures
Prepare and maintain clear, concise, and accurate correspondence, reports, records, and other written materials
Work independently under stressful conditions
Maintain sound judgment
Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work, at all levels, including colleagues, the public, and representatives of other agencies.

Experience that includes interviewing clients, providing peer support, and managing a caseload is desirable.

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