Victim Assistance Advocate - Bilingual (English/Spanish)

County of Monterey • Salinas, CA

2d • Onsite

About The Position

The Monterey County District Attorney’s Office is hiring a Victim Assistance Advocate to coordinate victims’ involvement in the criminal court system and support victims of crime. The position may be based in the District Attorney’s offices in Salinas and/or King City as needed. The recruitment may also be used to fill current and future County vacancies on a regular full-time, part-time, or temporary basis.

Under direction, the advocate provides crisis intervention, helps victims access community and government resources, and assists with reimbursement and restitution claims. The advocate keeps victims informed about case status and criminal justice procedures, prepares and supports them for participation in court, and coordinates communication among victims, attorneys, law enforcement, courts, and service agencies. The role also includes community outreach and education, program administration and grant-related data compilation, and ongoing training to remain current in the field.

The successful candidate will have knowledge of criminal justice procedures related to victim assistance, community resources, interviewing, and victim reimbursement programs; will communicate sensitively with victims and groups; and will organize work independently while meeting deadlines. Oral and written Spanish proficiency is required. Conditions include a valid California Class C driver license and satisfactory driving record or approved suitable transportation, a background investigation including fingerprint and DMV checks, and availability for a flexible schedule that may include evenings, weekends, holidays, emergencies, and out-of-County travel.

Requirements

• Approximately two years of clerical or paraprofessional experience within the criminal justice system, or an equivalent combination of training, education, and/or experience that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.
• Coursework in a behavioral science such as psychology, sociology, or a related field.
• Possess oral and written Spanish language proficiency.
• Possess a valid California Class C driver license at appointment and maintain a satisfactory driving record, or provide suitable transportation approved by the appointing authority.
• Successfully complete a background investigation that includes fingerprint and DMV checks.
• Knowledge of criminal justice laws, procedures, and legal terminology pertaining to victim assistance programs.
• Knowledge of community agencies, organizations, and individuals that assist victims of crime.
• Knowledge of interviewing principles and techniques for gathering factual information, and of state and federal agencies and programs providing victim reimbursement and assistance.
• Some knowledge of standard office procedures, record keeping, and techniques for counseling individuals under emotional stress.
• Ability to gather and analyze data, draw logical conclusions, and recommend effective courses of action.
• Ability to communicate orally to gather sensitive factual information and speak before groups.
• Ability to recognize symptoms of emotional stress and trauma and obtain appropriate assistance.
• Ability to demonstrate tact, sensitivity, and support when working with victims from varied socioeconomic and cultural backgrounds, and to gain their confidence and cooperation.
• Ability to write clearly and concisely, organize and prioritize work independently under minimal daily supervision, and work under deadline pressure.
• Ability to provide courteous customer service and establish and maintain effective working relationships.
• Availability to work a flexible schedule, including evenings, weekends, holidays, and during disasters or emergencies, and to travel out of County for meetings.

Responsibilities

• Provide immediate field and office crisis intervention by interviewing victims, identifying needs, referring them to community resources, and following up.
• Interview victims to determine eligibility for reimbursement and restitution, and assist with completing, verifying, and submitting claims.
• Keep victims informed about case status and criminal justice and police procedures, answer their questions, and provide support to reduce stress and anxiety.
• Prepare victims for participation in the criminal justice system by explaining processes, escorting them to court and community agencies, and providing reassurance.
• Establish relationships with community referral, service, and law enforcement agencies, and maintain a list of resources.
• Keep current with and interpret rules, regulations, and policies concerning victim reimbursement, restitution programs, and crisis response.
• Serve as a liaison among victims, community resource agencies, police agencies, judicial agencies, attorneys, and government programs; communicate case updates and relevant victim circumstances to attorneys.
• Monitor court calendars and coordinate victim or witness appearances and meetings with police agents, attorneys, and community agencies.
• Conduct outreach, participate in community meetings, deliver educational presentations, respond to public inquiries, and solicit volunteers for the Victim/Witness Assistance Program.
• Attend training and educational conferences to stay current on issues and developments in victim/witness assistance.
• Track and tally program workload statistics and compile and summarize program information for grant applications.
• Perform related duties as assigned.

Benefits

• The County offers an excellent benefits package; details are provided in the Unit J Benefit Summary Sheet. Temporary employees hired into this classification are not eligible for the listed benefits.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed